This Air Fryer Lemon Cake is the perfect dessert when you’re craving something light and refreshing with a burst of zesty lemon flavor. The air fryer makes it quick, easy, and ensures the cake has a moist and tender crumb with a beautiful golden top. It’s the ideal cake for any occasion, especially when you don’t want to heat up your oven!
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk (room temperature)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Ingredients
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for about 5 minutes. Lightly grease a 6-inch cake pan or any air fryer-safe dish that fits inside your air fryer basket.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Batter
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer or whisk until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Alternate Dry Ingredients and Milk: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined—be careful not to overmix.
Step 3: Air Fry the Cake
- Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the batter into the greased cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Air Fry: Place the pan into the air fryer basket and cook at 320°F (160°C) for 25-30 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs.
- Cool the Cake: Once done, remove the pan from the air fryer and let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4: Serve
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Once cooled, dust the top with powdered sugar for a simple finish or drizzle with a lemon glaze if you prefer extra lemony flavor.
- Enjoy: Slice and serve your light, fluffy, and zesty air fryer lemon cake. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee!
Optional Lemon Glaze (For Extra Zing!)
For a tangy glaze, mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake for an extra burst of lemon flavor.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Lemon Cake
- Grease the Pan Well: Make sure to grease your pan or line it with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
- Check for Doneness Early: Air fryers can vary in cooking times, so start checking your cake at the 25-minute mark.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and milk helps the batter mix more evenly for a fluffier cake.
Conclusion
This Air Fryer Lemon Cake is a quick and delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth with minimal effort. The bright lemon flavor, paired with the light, fluffy texture, makes this cake a must-try for any lemon lover! Perfect for those days when you want a dessert without the fuss of using the oven.