Air Fryer Apple Cake Recipe: Moist and Easy Fruit Dessert 2026

This air fryer apple cake is proof that you don't need a big oven to bake something wonderful. The batter comes together in minutes with pantry staples, and the air fryer does the rest, turning out a tender, fruit-packed cake with a beautifully caramelized apple topping.

Fresh apples and a little lemon zest give every slice a bright, fruity flavor, while a brush of melted butter and a sprinkle of sugar create a golden crust on top. It's the kind of dessert that feels special enough for a weekend treat but is simple enough for any day of the week.

Serve it dusted with powdered sugar alongside coffee or tea, or warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Either way, this juicy apple cake is as tempting as it is irresistible, and it's a great way to get the most out of your air fryer.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Apple Cake

For 6 servings

• 2 XL eggs
• 1 pinch of salt
• 90 g sugar
• 100 ml milk
• 50 ml sunflower oil
• 100 g pastry wheat flour
• 10 g baking powder
• 1 lemon
• 3 apples
• 20 g butter

How to Make Air Fryer Apple Cake Step by Step

1. Beat the eggs with sugar and salt

Start by mixing 2 XL eggs at room temperature with 1 pinch of salt and 75 g of the sugar in a bowl, reserving the rest of the sugar for sprinkling over the apples. Beat until the mixture turns pale and foamy and has doubled in volume.

2. Add the milk and oil

Next, add 100 ml of milk and 50 ml of sunflower oil and beat until these liquids are fully incorporated.

3. Sift in the flour and baking powder

Then sift 100 g of pastry flour together with 10 g of baking powder and fold it in with gentle movements so you don't lose the air in the mixture.

4. Add the lemon zest

Grate the zest of 1 lemon that has been washed beforehand and add it to the batter to give it an aromatic touch.

5. Cut the apples

Now wash 3 apples and peel them. Cut 2 of them into very thin slices and the third into somewhat longer, thicker strips that we'll use for the top layer of the cake.

6. Fold part of the apples into the batter

Grease a 16 cm springform pan and line the base with parchment paper. Fold the thin apple slices into the batter, keeping the thicker strips aside for the top layer. Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for 5 minutes.

7. Pour the batter into the pan

Pour the batter with the apples into the prepared pan and smooth the surface so it sits evenly.

8. Brush with butter and sprinkle with sugar

Cover the surface of the cake with the thicker apple strips. Melt 20 g of butter in the microwave for a few seconds and brush it over the apple strips. Then sprinkle the 15 g of reserved sugar over the top of the cake for a caramelized finish.

9. Cook the cake in the air fryer

Place the pan with the cake in the air fryer basket and cook for 40 minutes at 180 °C. At the 30-minute mark, check whether the surface is golden. If it has reached the desired color, cover it with aluminum foil to prevent burning and continue cooking for another 10 minutes.

10. Serve with powdered sugar

To make sure the cake is done, insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready. Let it cool completely before unmolding, and when serving, dust it with powdered sugar for the finishing touch.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Apple Cake

Respect the cooking times

It's essential to respect the cooking times and not open the air fryer before time to prevent the cake from losing its structure. Keep the basket closed and only check on it when the recipe says to.

Add a glossy finish

If you like cakes with a shine, you can give it a final touch with peach jam. Here we've chosen to brush the top apple layer with butter and sprinkle it with sugar for a delicious caramelized note.

Check for doneness

Always test the center with a toothpick before removing the cake from the air fryer. If it comes out clean, the cake is done; if not, give it a few more minutes and check again.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a blend of cozy comfort classics, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and desserts that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I typically reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds right, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

For mornings that need an easy start or lighter fare, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe are frequent picks. And for a gluten-free staple I can count on, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I enjoy putting together.

Whenever tapas and Mediterranean cooking are on my mind, I bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cooling Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more upscale.

Come lunch or a comforting supper, I'm always quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Should I be after something more substantial, I'll bake up this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply satisfying French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Some nights I'm after street-food vibes or party-ready plates, and that's when I'll whip up this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine to set out as a snack or starter.

And when I'm building drinks and a whole spread for company, I'll regularly match dinner with this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like to add this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or finish things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest recipes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

What follows are the dishes I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something memorable for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something impressive yet simple. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, understanding how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually go with the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For richer comfort cooking, I'm quick to point people to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the smooth Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also fond of sharing dishes with global roots, such as the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I return to often, since it cuts down on time while still delivering excellent results. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be decadent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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