Air Fryer 4-Ingredient Apple Cake — Quick, Moist & Ready in 25 Minutes

A super-simple, cozy dessert you can make any time: just 4 ingredients, one bowl, and your air fryer. This cake is moist, lightly sweet with tender apple pieces, and perfect for when you want a quick treat without fuss.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Only 4 ingredients — brown sugar, eggs, flour, and apples.
Ready in ~25 minutes — fast bake time in the air fryer.
Moist & fluffy texture from whipped eggs and juicy apple bits.
Perfect for seasonal apples — great for fall flavor.
Kid-friendly & fuss-free — simple steps, big payoff.

Ingredients (6–8 servings / 6–7 inch pan)

1 cup (200 g) packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled
1 medium apple (about 1–1¼ cups chopped) — peeled and diced (Honeycrisp, Fuji or Gala recommended)

Equipment: air fryer, 6–7 inch round or square air-fryer-safe pan (or an oven-safe dish that fits your basket), mixing bowl, spatula, toothpick.

Step-by-step instructions

Prep & preheat (2–3 min)

Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Lightly grease a 6–7 inch cake pan with oil spray or line the bottom with parchment.

Make the batter (5–7 min)
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the brown sugar and eggs vigorously until smooth and slightly thickened (about 1–2 minutes by hand; electric mixer short burst optional). This aeration helps the cake rise without extra leavening.
3. Add the flour and gently fold in until just combined — don’t overmix; a few small streaks are fine.
4. Fold in the diced apple so it’s evenly distributed.

Bake (12–15 min)
5. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Place the pan in the air fryer basket.
6. Cook at 320°F (160°C) for 12–15 minutes. Check at 12 minutes: insert a toothpick in the center — if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs (no raw batter), it’s done. If not, cook another 1–3 minutes. If the top is browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil.

Cool & serve (5–10 min)
7. Let the cake rest in the pan for 8–10 minutes to set. Turn out or slice directly in the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature. Optional: dust with powdered sugar or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Times: Prep 8–10 min | Cook 12–15 min | Total ~25 min.

Recipe tips & tricks

Choose crisp, sweet apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala) for the best texture and flavor.
Don’t overmix after adding flour — keep the cake light and tender.
Uniform apple pieces (about ½-cm dice) prevent sinking and ensure even baking.
Pan fit: use a 6–7 inch pan so the batter isn’t too thin — thicker batter gives a moister cake.
Too brown on top? Tent with foil; air fryers vary in intensity.
Want a glazed top? Brush a little melted butter and a sprinkle of brown sugar during the last minute.

Variations

Cinnamon twist: Add ½–1 tsp ground cinnamon to the batter.
Nuts: Stir in ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.
Apple spice: Add ¼ tsp ground nutmeg or pumpkin spice.
Mini muffins: Divide into a few small ramekins — reduce cook time to ~8–10 minutes.

Storage & reheating

Room temp: Airtight container up to 2 days.
Fridge: 4–5 days.
Freezing: Wrap slices individually and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge.
Reheat: Air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 2–3 min or microwave 15–30 sec.

FAQs

Q: Can I use more than one apple?
Yes — up to 1½ cups chopped is fine, but too much apple can make the cake dense or take longer to set.

Q: Do I need to peel the apples?
Peeling is recommended for a smoother crumb, but leaving the peel on is fine if you prefer extra texture.

Q: Can I bake this in an oven?
Yes — bake at 350°F (175°C) in a 6–7 inch pan for 18–25 minutes, testing with a toothpick.

Air Fryer 4 Ingredient Apple Cake