Air fryers are not just for frying — many models double as compact convection ovens that bake beautifully. The best air fryer for baking provides even, consistent heat distribution, accurate temperature control, and enough interior space for cakes, muffins, bread, and pastries. If your kitchen lacks a full-size oven or you want to bake small batches without heating up the entire house, these models deliver impressive results.
Air fryers work on the same convection principle as high-end ovens — a fan circulates hot air around the food for even cooking. This makes them surprisingly capable bakers. They preheat in 2 to 3 minutes instead of 10 to 15, use less energy than a full oven, and produce excellent results for small to medium-sized baked goods. Many bakers find that cakes rise more evenly and bread develops a better crust in an air fryer.
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is the gold standard for air fryer baking. Its Element IQ system uses five independent heating elements that adjust automatically based on the cooking function. The bake mode provides gentle, even heat that produces perfectly risen cakes and golden-brown cookies. The spacious interior fits a 9-by-13-inch baking pan, making it versatile enough for sheet cakes and banana bread loaves.
The Cosori Toaster Oven Combo offers 12 functions including a dedicated bake setting. The 30-liter capacity fits a 12-inch pizza or a standard cake pan with room to spare. Dual heating elements provide balanced top and bottom heat for even baking. The included crumb tray, wire rack, and baking pan give you everything you need to start baking right out of the box.
The Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven packs 10 cooking functions into a compact design that flips up for storage. The bake function works with temperatures from 250°F to 400°F, covering everything from gentle custards to crusty bread. Two rack positions let you bake on the upper or lower level depending on whether you want more top or bottom browning.
While basket-style air fryers have limitations for baking, the Instant Vortex Plus handles small baking projects admirably. Silicone muffin cups and small cake pans fit inside the 6-quart basket. The bake function circulates air more gently than the air fry setting, and the accurate thermostat holds temperature within a few degrees. It is a good choice if you want to bake muffins, brownies, and small cakes.
Invest in a few air-fryer-compatible baking accessories:
When adapting oven recipes for an air fryer, follow these guidelines:
Some baked goods work exceptionally well in air fryers:
For serious baking, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is unmatched with its intelligent heating elements and spacious interior. The Cosori Toaster Oven Combo offers excellent baking at a more affordable price point. If you mostly bake small items like muffins and cookies, even a basket-style model like the Instant Vortex Plus will serve you well. The key is matching the air fryer to the scale and type of baking you plan to do most often.
Yes, air fryers bake excellent cakes. Use a pan that fits your air fryer, reduce the oven temperature by 25°F, and check for doneness a few minutes early. The convection heat produces evenly risen cakes with tender crumb.
For baking, an oven-style air fryer with at least 10-quart capacity is ideal because it fits standard cake pans and baking sheets. Basket-style air fryers of 5 quarts or more can handle muffins and small cakes.
You need oven-safe pans that fit inside your air fryer. Small round cake pans (6 to 7 inches), silicone muffin cups, and small loaf pans work well. Avoid glass pans as they may not withstand the rapid temperature changes.
Air fryers have a smaller cooking chamber and a powerful convection fan that circulates heat more efficiently than most ovens. This concentrated heat bakes food 20 to 25 percent faster.
Yes, aluminum foil is safe in an air fryer and useful for covering tops of cakes that brown too quickly. Make sure the foil does not block airflow and is weighted down so the fan does not blow it around.