Cupcakes and muffins in the air fryer
Cupcakes takes 10 to 15 minutes at 300°F (150°C) in an air fryer, without turning.
What to know about air frying cupcakes
Cosori specifies a quarter-cup of batter per case at 300°F for 10 to 15 minutes. As with cookies, the low temperature exists to stop the fan setting the domes before the middle has risen. Silicone cases work better than paper here for a reason that has nothing to do with baking: paper cases are light enough to be blown around a basket, and a case that tips loses its batter.
The mistake people make
Filling the cases as full as you would for an oven. Air fryer baskets sit much closer to the element than an oven shelf does, so a cupcake that rises high enough to approach it will scorch on top while staying raw underneath. Two-thirds full is the ceiling.
How to tell when it's done
A skewer into the centre comes out with a crumb or two but no wet batter, and the top springs back when pressed. Because the tops brown early in an air fryer, colour is a particularly poor guide here.
At a glance
| Air fryer temperature | 300°F |
|---|---|
| Time | 10–15 minutes |
| Shake or flip | Not needed |
| Preheat | Yes |
| Single layer | Yes — do not stack |
| Oil | none |
| From | Prepared |
Questions people ask
How long does cupcakes take in an air fryer?
10 to 15 minutes at 300°F, with no turning needed. That figure comes from Cosori. Cook times shift with the size and power of your machine, so treat the lower end as the point to start checking.
What temperature should I air fry cupcakes at?
300°F, or about 150°C. That sits below the 350–400°F band the USDA describes as typical, because a gentler heat matters more than speed for this one.
Can you air fry cupcakes?
Yes. No oil is needed. Keep it to a single layer — crowding the basket blocks the air circulation the machine depends on, which the USDA specifically warns about. Preheat the machine first.
How do you know when cupcakes is done in an air fryer?
A skewer into the centre comes out with a crumb or two but no wet batter, and the top springs back when pressed. Because the tops brown early in an air fryer, colour is a particularly poor guide here.
What is the most common mistake when air frying cupcakes?
Filling the cases as full as you would for an oven. Air fryer baskets sit much closer to the element than an oven shelf does, so a cupcake that rises high enough to approach it will scorch on top while staying raw underneath. Two-thirds full is the ceiling.
People also air fry
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Sources
- Air Fryer Cooking Times Chart — Cosori. Checked 2026-08-06.
Times are a starting point, not a guarantee. Every air fryer differs in wattage and basket size, so check early and trust a thermometer over a timer. Written and checked by Christian Weber. Please read the disclaimer.