If you love simple, genuine, and light desserts, this air fryer apple cake without butter is the perfect recipe for you! A variation of the classic apple cake, but with less fat and faster cooking thanks to the air fryer.
Its texture is soft and moist, with the sweet aroma of apples released in every bite. It is perfect for breakfast, snack, or as a light dessert to enjoy at any time of the day. The absence of butter makes it lighter and more digestible, without sacrificing the softness and enveloping taste of apples.
One of the advantages of this cake is the air fryer cooking, which allows you to get a well-risen and golden dessert in less time than a traditional oven. This method is ideal for those who want to make a homemade dessert without having to turn on the oven, saving energy and time!
The air fryer is not only for savory dishes but is perfect for sweets too! Here are some advantages of air fryer cooking for this apple cake:
✅ Faster cooking than a traditional oven.
✅ Energy savings: consumes less than an oven.
✅ Well-golden and soft cake, with a light crust on the surface.
✅ Perfect for small portions: ideal for preparing desserts for a few people without wasting energy.
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4/6 people
- Cooking methods: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Fall, Winter, All Seasons
Ingredients for the Air Fryer Apple Cake Without Butter:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or cake flour)
- 12 g baking powder
- 2 medium eggs (at room temperature)
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 Renette apples
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 lemon
- to taste granulated sugar
Tools for the Air Fryer Apple Cake Without Butter:
- 1 Air Fryer
- 2 Bowls
- 1 Knife
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Baking Pan diameter 16/18
Steps for Preparing and Cooking the Air Fryer Apple Cake Without Butter:
Peel the apples, cut them in half, remove the core, and slice them thinly. Place them in a large bowl, add the juice of half a lemon and a couple of tablespoons of granulated sugar (taken from the 1/2 cup), and gently stir well.
In a large bowl, combine the eggs and granulated sugar with a hand whisk until well mixed (they should not be whipped but well combined). Add the milk and oil and incorporate them well into the mixture.
Add the previously prepared lemon zest, sifted baking powder, and flour little by little, stirring well to obtain a homogeneous mixture.
Add half of the sliced apples and the liquid that has formed, and stir well.
Grease and flour a baking pan of 16/18 or even 20 centimeters in diameter, or if you have a paper mold like ours, it does not need to be greased and floured. Alternatively, you can use a 20/22 centimeter bundt cake paper mold.
Pour the mixture and level it well, then gently press the apple slices into the batter about a quarter inch without covering them completely.
Sprinkle more granulated sugar over the apples.
Place the pan in the air fryer (remove the rack, otherwise, during cooking, it may touch the heating element) and cook at 320°F for 30/35 minutes (always perform the toothpick test).
Once cooked, let it cool, remove it from the pan, and place it on a serving plate.
Storage
To keep your cake soft and flavorful longer, follow these tips:
🔹 At room temperature: It keeps for up to 2-3 days under a cake dome or in an airtight container.
🔹 In the refrigerator: If you want to extend its freshness, you can store it in the fridge for 5-6 days, wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container. Before serving, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or warm it slightly.
🔹 In the freezer: You can freeze it in slices, wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag. It keeps for up to 3 months. To consume, just thaw at room temperature or warm it in an air fryer at 300°F for 5-7 minutes.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I use other flours?
Absolutely, you can use whole wheat flour (30-50%) with the remainder being all-purpose or cake flour; alternatively, replace 60 grams of all-purpose or cake flour with almond or hazelnut flour.
How do I know if the cake is cooked in the air fryer?
Perform the toothpick test: insert a toothpick in the center of the cake, and if it comes out dry, it’s ready! If the inside is still moist, extend the cooking by 5 minutes at a time, covering the surface with a sheet of aluminum foil well-adhered to the pan if it tends to darken too much.
