Air Fryer Chocolate Cake
Ready in about 43 minutes.
Published by the RecipeAirFryer editorial team · How we source times · Updated
Times and temperatures come from our reviewed cooking database. Explanatory text on each page is generated from that entry so the numbers stay consistent.
A deeply moist, rich chocolate cake with a soft, fudgy crumb, baked easily in the air fryer. Cocoa gives it intense flavour and the compact heat keeps it wonderfully tender, ready to frost or dust with icing sugar.
Written for 8. Cook in batches rather than stacking if you scale up.
Ingredients
- 150 g (1 1/8 cups) plain flour
- 40 g (1/3 cup) cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 150 g (3/4 cup) caster sugar
- 2 eggs
- 100 ml (1/2 cup) vegetable oil
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
- 1Whisk the flour, cocoa, baking powder, bicarbonate and sugar in a bowl.
- 2Add the eggs, oil, milk and vanilla, and whisk to a smooth batter.
- 3Pour into a greased, lined round tin that fits your air fryer.
- 4Preheat the air fryer to 160°C/320°F.
- 5Bake for 25-30 minutes until risen and a skewer comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- 6Cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out and frost or dust as you like.
Tips for the best results
- A splash of hot coffee in the batter deepens the chocolate flavour.
- Do not overbake; the cake should stay slightly fudgy in the centre.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Crowding the basket so air fryer chocolate cake steams instead of browning.
- Pulling air fryer chocolate cake the moment the timer ends without checking the centre.
- Letting wet coating pieces touch, which peels the crust and keeps it soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature and time for air fryer chocolate cake?
A typical starting point is 160°C / 320°F for 25-30 min. Thickness and wattage change the finish, so check early.
Can I make air fryer chocolate cake ahead?
Cook it, cool it quickly, and refrigerate. Reheat in the air fryer at a slightly lower temperature so the outside does not dry before the middle is hot.
How many people does air fryer chocolate cake serve?
This recipe is written for 8. For a fuller basket, cook in batches rather than stacking, or add a couple of minutes and shake more often.