Description
This delightful Air Fryer Carrot Cake offers a moist, flavorful twist on a classic dessert, blending warm spices and fresh carrots with a creamy cream cheese frosting. Perfectly cooked in an air fryer for a quick and convenient treat, this recipe yields a tender carrot cake with a rich, smooth topping that’s sure to please any crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Frosting
- 4 ounces (115g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to combine all dry ingredients evenly.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, folding gently to combine. Then fold in the grated carrots and chopped nuts if using, ensuring everything is evenly distributed.
- Prepare the Air Fryer and Pan: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for 3 to 5 minutes. Grease a 6-inch cake pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the prepared batter into the greased pan and smooth the top with a spatula for even cooking.
- Air Fry the Cake: Place the pan inside the preheated air fryer and cook at 320°F (160°C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until creamy and smooth. Add vanilla extract and gradually mix in the powdered sugar, beating until the frosting is fluffy and well combined.
- Frost and Serve: Once the cake is fully cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the surface. Decorate with additional nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired, then slice and serve.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is completely cool before frosting to prevent the cream cheese frosting from melting.
- You can substitute walnuts with pecans or omit nuts altogether if you prefer.
- Adjust cooking time slightly depending on your air fryer model and size of the pan.
- Grating carrots finely helps them incorporate better into the batter.
- For a dairy-free version, use vegan cream cheese and butter substitutes.
