Air Fryer Carrot Cake Recipe
If you’re ready to redefine your dessert game, meet the Air Fryer Carrot Cake—an absolute standout you’ll want to share, swipe, and savor! This classic favorite gets a brilliant twist from your countertop air fryer, delivering a moist, tender crumb studded with sweet carrots, pineapple, and crunchy nuts, all topped with luscious cream cheese frosting. The best part? It’s so simple, small-batch, and fuss-free that you can whip it up on a weeknight or wow friends any time. The Air Fryer Carrot Cake is a delightful way to make a time-honored treat faster, easier, and totally irresistible right at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Air Fryer Carrot Cake comes together with a handful of pantry staples and a couple of fresh ingredients. Each one plays a small but mighty role, whether it’s giving the cake its signature sweetness, spice, or super-soft texture.
- All-purpose flour: The essential base, lending structure and lightness to the cake.
- Granulated sugar: Adds clean, crisp sweetness that caramelizes beautifully in the air fryer.
- Brown sugar: For a deeper flavor and moisture boost, this is your secret weapon.
- Baking powder and baking soda: A duo to help your cake rise perfectly and stay airy, not dense.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg: These warm spices turn simple carrots into a truly aromatic, unforgettable cake.
- Salt: Enhances every other flavor without making the cake taste salty.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and bring that classic cakey richness.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake extra moist without overpowering the flavors.
- Vanilla extract: Delivers a touch of sweetness and rounds out the spices wonderfully.
- Finely grated carrots: The main event! Choose freshly grated for the best texture and sweetness.
- Crushed pineapple (drained): Adds juicy tang and keeps every bite tender—don’t skip!
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For a toasty crunch, if you’re a fan of nuts in carrot cake.
- Cream cheese (for frosting): No carrot cake is complete without its creamy companion.
- Butter (for frosting): Softened for a dreamy, spreadable finish.
- Powdered sugar (for frosting): Makes the icing thick, sweet, and perfectly smooth.
- Vanilla extract (for frosting): Lends a signature flavor note to the frosting.
How to Make Air Fryer Carrot Cake
Step 1: Prep and Line Your Baking Pan
Start by preheating your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Grease and line a 6-inch round cake pan, or whatever oven-safe pan fits snugly in your air fryer basket. Lining ensures your Air Fryer Carrot Cake pops out easily after baking, so don’t skip this step!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This ensures the spices and leaveners are perfectly distributed for a uniform rise and flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Stir in the grated carrots and drained crushed pineapple, mixing gently to keep as much moisture as possible in the batter.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. This is your chance to fold in chopped walnuts or pecans if you’re using them. Mixing only until everything is incorporated helps keep your Air Fryer Carrot Cake tender, not tough.
Step 5: Air Fry and Cool
Scrape the batter into your prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Slide the pan into your air fryer basket and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean, you’re golden! Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cake cools, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until completely smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and whip until fluffy and glossy. Spread the frosting generously over your cooled Air Fryer Carrot Cake before slicing and serving.
How to Serve Air Fryer Carrot Cake
Garnishes
A classic flourish for carrot cake is a sprinkle of extra chopped walnuts or pecans on top, or even a dusting of cinnamon for cozy vibes. Go playful with candied carrot curls or keep it simple with an artful swirl of frosting along the edges. The Air Fryer Carrot Cake’s rich cream cheese crown welcomes any finishing touch you can dream up.
Side Dishes
This cake shines alongside a cup of strong black coffee, spiced chai, or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. For a celebratory brunch, slice it thin and offer with fresh fruit or a small cheese plate. No one ever complains when Air Fryer Carrot Cake shares the table!
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving a crowd, cut the cake into adorable mini wedges, or make Air Fryer Carrot Cake cupcakes (just bake for 12–15 minutes). Dress up the platter with vibrant edible flowers or a ribbon of orange zest—it’s a guaranteed showstopper for birthdays or spring gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Air Fryer Carrot Cake can be kept fresh and fabulous for up to four days. Simply cover it well with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cake stays moist, and the flavors meld even more beautifully on day two or three.
Freezing
To freeze, wrap slices or the whole cake (unfrosted or frosted) tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and tuck into a zip-top freezer bag. It keeps well for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge overnight for the best texture, then bring to room temperature before serving.
Reheating
If you like your carrot cake slightly warm, zap a slice in the microwave in 10-second bursts until just warmed through. Be gentle with frosted pieces—stick to low power so the cream cheese frosting stays creamy and dreamy rather than melting away.
FAQs
Can I make Air Fryer Carrot Cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free blend. Just check that all other ingredients (especially your baking powder) are gluten-free, and you’ll get great results.
Can I use applesauce in place of oil?
You can substitute half of the vegetable oil with unsweetened applesauce for a lighter twist. This will result in a slightly different texture but still yields a moist and tasty Air Fryer Carrot Cake.
Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?
Definitely, but be sure you have a bigger cake pan that fits in your air fryer, or make two separate cakes. Keep an eye on the baking time—it may need a bit longer for a thicker cake.
Why is my carrot cake sinking in the middle?
Sinking can happen if you open the air fryer basket too early, or if the cake needs more time. Always check doneness with a toothpick in the center, and avoid peeking before 35 minutes.
Can I skip the frosting?
Yes, this Air Fryer Carrot Cake is moist and flavorful all on its own. If you prefer, enjoy it unfrosted, dusted with powdered sugar, or with a dollop of lightly sweetened Greek yogurt for a healthier twist.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever wanted a cozy homemade dessert without fussing over a big oven, Air Fryer Carrot Cake is the treat to try next. It’s easy, satisfying, and perfect for sharing—or secretly saving for yourself! Give it a whirl and watch it become one of your go-to favorite desserts.
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Air Fryer Carrot Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Air Fryer Carrot Cake recipe is a delightful twist on a classic dessert, combining the flavors of moist carrot cake with the convenience of air frying. Topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting, this small-batch cake is perfect for a quick and easy treat.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup finely grated carrots
- 1/4 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C) and prepare a 6-inch round cake pan.
- Mix dry ingredients: Combine flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl.
- Prepare wet ingredients: Beat eggs with oil and vanilla, then add carrots and pineapple.
- Combine and bake: Mix wet and dry ingredients, fold in nuts, pour into pan, air fry for 35–40 minutes.
- Frost the cake: Beat cream cheese and butter, add sugar and vanilla, then spread over cooled cake.
Notes
- This cake stays moist thanks to the pineapple and oil.
- You can also make it into cupcakes by adjusting the time to 12–15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
