Air Fryer Lemon Drizzle Cake

Certainly! Below is a simple recipe for making a delicious lemon drizzle cake in an air fryer, along with some helpful notes:

Air Fryer Lemon Drizzle Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups 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
• Zest of 2 lemons
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup milk

For the Drizzle:

• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Optional Garnish:

• Lemon zest
• Powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat Your Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for 5 minutes.
2. Prepare the Cake Batter: In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the lemon zest and juice. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, until well combined.
3. Grease the Pan: Grease a 6-inch round cake pan that fits into your air fryer with butter or cooking spray.
4. Pour the Batter: Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it out evenly.
5. Air Fry the Cake: Place the cake pan into the preheated air fryer basket. Air fry the cake at 320°F (160°C) for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Prepare the Drizzle: While the cake is cooking, prepare the lemon drizzle. In a small bowl, mix together the lemon juice and granulated sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
7. Drizzle the Cake: Once the cake is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes. Poke several holes into the top of the cake with a toothpick or skewer. Pour the lemon drizzle over the warm cake, allowing it to soak in.
8. Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish the cake with lemon zest or a dusting of powdered sugar. Slice and serve!

Notes:

• Pan Size: Make sure your cake pan fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket with some space around it for air circulation. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly if using a different size pan.
• Preheating: Preheating the air fryer ensures even cooking and helps the cake rise properly.
• Checking Doneness: Use a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake to check for doneness. It should come out clean when the cake is fully cooked.
• Cooling Time: Allowing the cake to cool slightly before adding the lemon drizzle helps prevent it from becoming too soggy.
• Adjusting Sweetness: Adjust the amount of sugar in the drizzle according to your taste preference. You can make it sweeter or more tangy by adjusting the sugar and lemon juice ratio.

Enjoy your delicious homemade air fryer lemon drizzle cake!

Tips:

1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your butter and eggs are at room temperature before starting. This helps with better incorporation of ingredients and a smoother batter.
2. Zesting Lemons: When zesting lemons, make sure to only scrape off the outer yellow part of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
3. Fresh Lemon Juice: For the best flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than bottled lemon juice.
4. Adjusting Texture: If you prefer a denser cake, you can substitute some of the all-purpose flour with cake flour. This will give the cake a finer crumb.
5. Even Cooking: If your air fryer has hot spots, rotate the cake halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
6. Testing Air Fryer Temperatures: Some air fryers may run hotter or cooler than others. It’s a good idea to test your air fryer’s temperature settings with an oven thermometer to ensure accuracy.
7. Storage: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze slices of the cake for longer storage.

Variations:

1. Lemon Poppy Seed Cake: Add 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds to the batter for a delightful lemon-poppy seed flavor.
2. Lemon Blueberry Cake: Gently fold in 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter for bursts of sweetness.
3. Lemon Coconut Cake: Mix in 1/2 cup of shredded coconut into the batter for a tropical twist.
4. Lemon Glaze: Instead of a drizzle, make a lemon glaze by combining powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth, then pour it over the cooled cake.
5. Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting: Spread a layer of lemon cream cheese frosting on top of the cooled cake for an extra indulgent treat.

Feel free to get creative and customize this recipe to your liking. Enjoy your baking adventure!