Say hello to your new favorite dessert discovery: Air Fryer Carrot Cake. This recipe takes everything you love about classic carrot cake—the warm spices, tender crumb, juicy bursts of pineapple, and luscious cream cheese frosting—and makes it simpler (and quicker!) than ever thanks to your trusty air fryer. In less than an hour, you can be enjoying a homemade cake that’s incredibly moist, rich in flavor, and perfect for any occasion, whether you’re whipping it up for a special gathering or just treating yourself after a long day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every component in this Air Fryer Carrot Cake recipe is carefully chosen to bring out maximum flavor and the perfect texture. You’ll find the essentials for spice, sweetness, and moistness, as well as a few little extras that take this cake from good to unforgettable.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure to your cake while keeping the crumb tender and light.
- Baking powder: Gives the cake an airy lift so it doesn’t feel dense.
- Baking soda: Works alongside baking powder for the best rise and balances sweetness.
- Cinnamon: Adds deep warmth and that irresistible “carrot cake flavor”.
- Nutmeg: A pinch rounds out the spice blend for an unforgettable aroma.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the other flavors.
- Eggs: Bind the batter and create a fluffy texture.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake extra moist—no dry bites here!
- Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and classic crumb.
- Brown sugar: Infuses a touch of caramel-like richness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the warm and sweet notes in the cake.
- Finely grated carrots: Deliver moisture, pop of color, and a healthy twist.
- Crushed pineapple (drained): Adds juicy sweetness and prevents the cake from drying out.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For a nutty crunch in every bite.
- Cream cheese (for frosting): The tangy base for a silky, classic carrot cake finish.
- Butter (for frosting): Makes the frosting extra creamy and spreadable.
- Powdered sugar (for frosting): Gives your frosting its signature sweetness and smoothness.
- Vanilla extract (for frosting): Pulls all the sweet, tangy, buttery notes together in each luscious bite.
How to Make Air Fryer Carrot Cake
Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Start by grabbing a medium mixing bowl and whisking together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This helps evenly distribute the baking agents and spices—no one wants a mouthful of baking soda or a spice bomb, so this step is all about balance.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a larger bowl, beat your eggs, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture looks smooth and almost creamy. This gives your cake that dreamy, sweet richness in every forkful.
Step 3: Add Carrots and Pineapple
Stir in the freshly grated carrots and well-drained crushed pineapple. These ingredients bring so much natural moisture and subtle sweetness to your Air Fryer Carrot Cake, plus their beautiful color really makes the cake pop.
Step 4: Fold Everything Together
Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into your wet mixture just until combined. If you’re adding nuts, now’s the time to toss them in! Stop mixing once you see no more dry streaks—overmixing can make your cake dense instead of light and fluffy.
Step 5: Prepare Your Pan and Air Fryer
Grease a 6-inch round cake pan that fits inside your air fryer basket. Spoon in the batter, smoothing the top so it bakes evenly. Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) so it’s nice and ready for your cake.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Carefully place your cake pan inside the air fryer basket. Bake for 30–35 minutes, checking at the 30-minute mark—you’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with just a crumb or two.
Step 7: Cool and Frost
Be patient and let your cake cool completely in the pan before you attempt to frost it. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together, then add powdered sugar and vanilla. Spread it generously over the top once the cake is fully cool for the ultimate finishing touch.
How to Serve Air Fryer Carrot Cake
Garnishes
Dress up your Air Fryer Carrot Cake with a sprinkle of extra chopped nuts, a dusting of cinnamon, or even some finely grated carrot for a vibrant, fresh look. If you like a little extra pizzazz, a dollop of whipped cream alongside wouldn’t go amiss either.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with a cup of spiced chai, coffee, or cold milk. For brunch, serve alongside a fresh fruit salad or a dollop of vanilla yogurt to let the zesty, spiced flavors of the cake stand out and complement your other dishes.
Creative Ways to Present
Individual ramekins or silicone molds make adorable miniature cakes perfect for special occasions or sharing. Layer slices in a parfait glass with extra frosting and fruit for a carrot cake trifle, or cut into cubes and skewer for fun cake pops. Trust me, the possibilities with Air Fryer Carrot Cake are as endless as your imagination!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra slices (lucky you!), tuck them into an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. The cake stays moist and flavorful for up to 4 days, and the frosting remains delightfully creamy.
Freezing
Want to save your Air Fryer Carrot Cake for a future treat? Wrap slices or the whole (unfrosted) cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, then pop them in the freezer. The cake will keep beautifully for up to 2 months—just defrost overnight in the fridge before serving. For best results, freeze without frosting and add it fresh after thawing.
Reheating
While this cake is fantastic cold, you can bring it to room temperature or give slices a brief (10-15 second) zap in the microwave for a just-baked feel. If you’ve frozen the cake, allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently—this keeps the crumb soft and prevents drying out.
FAQs
Can I make Air Fryer Carrot Cake without nuts?
Absolutely! This recipe is just as delicious without nuts. Simply leave them out, and you’ll still have a perfectly moist, flavorful cake.
How do I know when the cake is done in the air fryer?
At around 30 minutes, check with a toothpick inserted into the center—if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, your Air Fryer Carrot Cake is ready. If not, continue baking in 2-3 minute increments, checking each time.
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
You can swap half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat if you’d like a slightly denser, earthier result, but using 100% whole wheat may make the cake heavier. Start with half and see how you like it!
Is it possible to bake this cake without frosting?
Definitely! The cake itself is plenty flavorful and moist thanks to the pineapple and carrots. Serve it plain, with a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of honey if you’d like to go lighter.
Can I double this recipe for a bigger cake?
If your air fryer is large enough to accommodate a bigger pan, you can double the recipe. Just remember to increase the baking time and check for doneness by using a toothpick in the center.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing treat that’s as easy as it is irresistible, give this Air Fryer Carrot Cake a try. It’s a true testament to how a handful of simple ingredients and a little ingenuity can create pure dessert magic—so fire up your air fryer and start baking! Your friends and family will thank you (and you might just never go back to oven baking carrot cake again).
Print
Air Fryer Carrot Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in a delicious and moist Air Fryer Carrot Cake, a perfect treat for dessert lovers. This recipe yields a small batch, making it ideal for a quick and easy baking session. Enjoy the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and grated carrots, topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Main Cake:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 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
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup finely grated carrots
- 1/4 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the frosting (optional):
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Main Cake: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the grated carrots and pineapple. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. Add nuts if using.
- Air Frying: Grease a 6-inch round cake pan that fits your air fryer. Pour in the batter and smooth the top. Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Place the pan in the air fryer basket and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
- Frosting: To make the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, and beat until fluffy. Spread over the cooled cake.
Notes
- You can divide the batter into ramekins or silicone molds for mini cakes.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
