Description
Air Fryer Carrot Cake is a moist and flavorful homemade dessert made with freshly grated carrots, warm spices, and simple pantry ingredients. Baked perfectly in the air fryer, this soft cake is topped with a rich vanilla cream cheese frosting that adds a smooth and tangy sweetness. It is an easy and comforting cake ideal for holidays, gatherings, or a cozy afternoon treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large carrots (about 150 g), peeled and finely grated
- 225 g self-raising flour
- 150 g brown sugar
- 30 g granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 150 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons semi-skimmed milk (30 ml)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 200 g cream cheese (for frosting)
- 60 g unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 120 g icing sugar (for frosting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Peel and finely grate the carrots using a box grater. Set them aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated carrots, self-raising flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, mixed spice, ground ginger, and nutmeg. Mix well.
- Create a small well in the center of the dry mixture and crack the eggs into it.
- Add the olive oil and mix the batter with a hand mixer or whisk until everything begins to combine.
- Gradually pour in the milk while mixing until the batter becomes smooth and slightly thick.
- Pour the batter into a silicone baking pan that fits inside your air fryer basket.
- Place the pan into the air fryer and cook at 180°C (360°F) for 15 minutes.
- Reduce the temperature to 170°C (340°F) and continue cooking for 26 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the air fryer and allow it to cool completely.
- To prepare the frosting, beat the butter and icing sugar together until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the cream cheese and vanilla extract, then mix until the frosting becomes creamy and well combined.
- Level the cooled cake with a knife if necessary, then spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Refrigerate the cake for about 1 hour before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Always use freshly grated carrots for the best moisture and flavor.
- A silicone baking pan works best in an air fryer and makes cleanup easier.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before adding frosting to prevent melting.
- You can add 50 g chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 41 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 307 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 38 mg