Air Fryer Birthday Cake
Description
This easy air fryer birthday cake starts with a box of cake mix and bakes up moist, light, and fluffy — no oven needed. Frost it, cover it in sprinkles, and add candles for the easiest celebration cake you'll ever make.
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces cake mix, 15.25 oz cake mix, any flavor, plus the eggs, oil, and water listed on the package
- 16 ounces frosting, 16 oz frosting, any flavor
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions, whisking just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Spray a 7-inch air-fryer-safe cake pan with non-stick cooking spray. Pour in the batter, filling the pan no more than 2/3 full. Reserve any extra batter for a second layer or cupcakes.
- Place the pan in the air fryer basket and air fry at 320°F for 20 minutes.
- Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done; if not, continue air frying in 5-minute increments, up to about 30 minutes total. If the top browns too quickly, tent it loosely with foil.
- Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
- Frost the fully cooled cake, decorate with sprinkles, and add candles.
Equipment
- Air fryer (5-quart or larger)
- 7-inch round cake pan (oven-safe metal, ceramic, or silicone)
Notes
- Temperature matters: Air fryers run hotter than ovens. Bake at 320°F — not 350°F — to keep the top from burning before the center sets.
- Pan check: Measure your basket before starting. A 7-inch pan fits most 5–6 quart air fryers.
- Cool before frosting: Frosting a warm cake will melt it into a glaze.
- Storage: Covered at room temperature up to 2 days, refrigerated up to 5 days, or freeze unfrosted layers up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 480kcalCarbohydrates: 92gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gSodium: 479mgPotassium: 53mgFiber: 1gSugar: 68gCalcium: 120mgIron: 1mg