Chocolate Cake in an Air Fryer (Soft and Moist)

A soft and moist chocolate cake baked in an air fryer, featuring a creamy chocolate frosting. The recipe uses hot coffee to bloom the cocoa powder for extra moisture.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour, sifted
• ½ cup (45g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated white sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ½ cup (120ml) whole milk or milk alternative, room temperature
• ¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil or melted neutral oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120ml) hot coffee or boiling water
• ¼ cup (55g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted (for frosting)
• 3 tablespoons (20g) cocoa powder (for frosting)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (for frosting)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)

Instructions

1. Lightly grease a 6-inch or 7-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Preheat the air fryer to 160°C (320°F) for 3–5 minutes.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add granulated sugar and whisk until uniform.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk gently until just combined. Slowly pour in the hot coffee or boiling water while whisking smoothly until the batter is thin and runny.
5. Pour the batter into the lined cake pan and place it in the center of the preheated air fryer basket.
6. Bake at 160°C (320°F) for 20–22 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
7. Turn off the air fryer and let the pan rest inside the basket for 3 minutes using residual heat.
8. Remove the pan and place on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edges and invert the cake to cool completely.
9. For the frosting, beat softened butter, sifted cocoa powder, and powdered sugar together. Slowly add milk one tablespoon at a time until fluffy and spreadable.
10. Spread the frosting over the completely cooled cake and serve.

Notes

Use a 4-quart or larger air fryer basket. Ensure the cake pan has at least 1 inch of clearance on all sides for air circulation. The batter will be thin and runny, which ensures a moist crumb.