Best Air Fryer for Baking (cakes and bread): I’m using this air fryer

Fast cooking is sometimes like a gold bar, especially for hungry birds like me. And yes, nobody likes to wait when they are hungry, do you? So, that’s where the Cuisinart air fryer + toaster oven is the best air fryer for baking cakes. 

Moreover, it is not only the best for cakes but also the best air fryer for baking bread. It allows me to bake bread or cakes much quicker and saves time on proofreading. As I like baking often, this toaster oven has become the best companion in the kitchen. Want to know how? Then, here we go!

Best Air Fryer for Baking Cakes: My Criteria 

When choosing the best air fryer for baking cakes, several factors must be considered, such as capacity, cooking efficiency, wattage, features, and cleaning. So, capacity also comes first. When baking cakes in an air fryer, the air fryer must have enough space to accommodate a standard cake pan or baking dish.

In this case, large-capacity oven-style air fryers are the best choices for even baking and multiple-layer cakes. So, what to choose rather than the Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven air fryer? Yes, this must be the best air fryer for baking cakes when it comes to capacity. 

This air fryer has a large 0.6 cubic feet (almost 18 quarts) interior capacity. It can easily fit a 12-inch round cake pan or 10 × 10 inch square cake pan. I also appreciate its excellent cooking efficiency. This toaster oven and air fryer combo uses a convection heating system for consistent airflow around the cake. 

Therefore, the pre-programmed “Convection Bake” function makes an air fryer easier to use for cakes. Fortunately, the Cuisinart air fryer + toaster oven with grill features both the ‘Bake’ and ‘Convection Bake’ functions for easier baking. The nonstick baking pan and a viewing window also make it the best air fryer for baking cakes. 

Is This Also the Best Air Fryer for Baking Bread 

With the Cuisinart air fryer + toaster oven, baking bread is also a breeze, like baking cakes. Its larger capacity and dedicated baking settings make it ideal for bread recipes. 

I also love its convection setting that provides consistent heat circulation, leading to evenly baked bread at home. Its 1800-watt power system with a wide temperature range (up to 450° F) is also a significant plus point for being the best for baking. 

How to Make the Best Air Fryer Baked Cakes Using the Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven? 

[Cuisinart Toaster oven + Air Fryer Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake ] 

Many people use ready-made cake mixture for cake recipes for faster preparation. But I’ve always been a strong believer that homemade is the best. And believe me, this recipe was the easiest and fastest one I’ve ever tried. 

Ingredients 

[For the Cake]

• 275 g self-raising flour (if using plain or all-purpose flour, add an extra 2 teaspoons of baking powder)
• 225 g soft unsalted butter 
• 225 g caster sugar 
• 200 g avocado, vegetable or sunflower oil
• 4 large eggs
• 2 lemons (zested & juiced) 
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 
• 4 tablespoons milk 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• ¼ teaspoon salt

[For the Drizzle]

• 20 g granulated sugar 
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice 
• White icing or drizzle 

Now, Let’s Bake!  

1. Choose the right cake pan. 

This Cuisinart Toaster oven + Air Fryer can fit up to a 12-inch cake pan. But I usually use a 2 lb loaf tin measuring 9×5×3 inches in dimensions. 

Grease the pan with butter and spread some flour or line with parchment paper. I used spray grease and lined paper. I don’t know whether other people experience this, but the combination of butter and flour creates a weird film on the side of my cake. 

2. Preheat the air fryer 

Now, it’s time to preheat the air fryer. You can choose the ‘Bake’ or ‘Convection Bake’ mode. I typically prefer using the ‘Convection Bake’ mode for even browning and a fluffy texture. 

So, choose the ‘Convection Bake,’ set the temperature at 325° F, and leave it for 5 minutes. In between this time? Prepare the batter.  

3. Let’s make a batter

• First, mix the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt) in a bowl. Then, strain the mixture with a strainer, and set the mixture aside.
• In another bowl, beat the butter, sugar, eggs, and oil together well for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. 
• Next, mix in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract and beat the mixture again. 
• Once the mixture is all nice and smooth, it’s time to add the dry mixture to this wet mixture. Then, give it a good whisk until the batter is smooth and fluffy. 

4. Pour the batter into the loaf pan

Once the batter is ready (smooth and silky), spread it carefully into the prepared loaf pan and tap the pan. How easy it has been so far, right? 

5. It’s time to Bake 

Place the pan in the preheated Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster oven and set the temperature at 325° for 30 minutes. After the first 20 minutes, check it, lower the temperature by 25° F, and bake for another 10 minutes. 

6. Prepare the Lemon Drizzle 

In another bowl, whisk the lemon juice and granulated sugar together. Give it a quick mix until the sugar is properly dissolved. Then, of course, take some white icing or powdered sugar, create a mixture with 2 tbsp lemon juice, and keep aside. 

7. Check the doneness and let it cool

Before 5 minutes of the expected time, check for doneness to avoid overbaking. You can do so by inserting a toothpick or wooden skewer  in the center of the cake. If the cake is properly baked, it should come out clean. Otherwise, let it bake for a few more minutes. 

Once the cake is properly baked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes. otherwise, the cake may break down while removing it from the tin. Don’t overcook. Transfer the cake to the wire rack while it is still warm. 

8. Drizzle the Glaze and Serve

Finally, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top. Before doing so, here’s a tip! Use a toothpick to poke a few holes into the top of the cake. This will help the lemon juice soak in more easily. 

Finally, spoon on the lemon juice until the cake has soaked it all in. Then, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top and leave it until the drizzle touches dry. 

And now? Slice the cake, serve warm or at room temperature, and enjoy! You can also refrigerate the cake for up to a week. 

How to Make the Best Air Fryer Baked Bread Using the Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven? 

Thanks to its convection Bake mode, the bread browns evenly, and the inside is soft and fluffy. Whether I tried baking a classic white loaf, a whole wheat loaf, or even an artisan-style loaf, these all came out perfectly.

Here’s the  Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven Basic Bread Recipe To Follow.

Ingredients

• 3 cups (375g) all-purpose or bread flour
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 cup (240ml) warm water (110°F)
• 1 tbsp sugar or honey
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter

Instructions step-by-step

1. Prepare the Yeast

In a small bowl, warm up (110°F) a cup of water. Now add sugar and top it off with yeast, then mix! 

Then, stir it and let it rest for 5-10 minutes until it starts foaming. After that the yeast will be activated.

2. Let’s Make the Dough 

In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Next, Add the activated Yeast and olive oil. You can also use sunflower oil or any other regular cooking oil. Now, combine all these ingredients, and a shaggy dough will be ready.

3. Knead the Dough

Maybe the most important part of this process! Knead the dough on an ungreased work surface for 8-10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. If you have a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook on low speed for 5-7 minutes. Here, I usually prefer do it myself. 

4. First Rise

Once the dough is ready, put it in a greased bowl, and cover it. Now keep the bowl in a warm area for 1-2 hours or until it has swollen double in bulk.

5. Shape the Dough

Once risen, deflate the dough and mold it into a loaf. Place it in a greased 8×4-inch loaf pan, or, for a rustic style, shape it into a round.

6. Let’s Wait for the Second Rise

When the dough is shaped, cover it with a damp cloth and let it sit for 30-45 minutes until it is puffy.

7. Cuisinart Toaster Oven Preheating

Set it to Convection Bake Mode. Then, adjust the Food Temperature Set to 375° F and leave it for 5 minutes.

8. Bake the Bread

Put the loaf pan on the center oven rack. Bake at 375 °F for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. To check if it is done, bread is done when it sounds hollow. 

9. Cooling & Serving

After baking, the bread should be taken from the oven and cooled for five minutes in the pan. Once done, it must be placed on a wire rack until it cools completely. 

Considerations When Using The Cuisinart Air Fryer as A Bread Toaster Oven

✔️ For greater efficiency, use convection bake mode. 

✔️ If the crust is browning very fast, cover the bread with foil halfway through the baking process. 

✔ ️ If you want a more pronounced crisp in the crust, put a small dish of water into the oven while baking. 

✔️ With a thermometer, check the internal temperature of the bread. It should be within the range of 190-200°F when baked

Easy Cleanup 

It has been relatively easy for me to maintain the Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven, but some routine maintenance is necessary to keep the appliance in good condition. Notably, I Appreciate that the dip tray and baking pan are easily removable. 

Therefore, I can either wipe them down or wash them with regular soap and water. Grease and crumbs tend to build up inside, but the nonstick coating helps. I typically quickly scrub the wire rack and air fryer basket after cooking each time because some food tends to stick. 

Therefore, when you don’t clean it and start baking, it can unexpectedly create smoke and ruin your cooking journey with this big boy. Fortunately, as long as you clean it after every use, it takes minimal effort. Just a few minutes suffice to wipe everything down.

Check the price Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven on Amazon

Why is the Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven Best for Baking Cakes?

Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven is the best air fryer oven I have ever used for baking. It allows me to effortlessly bake cakes and bread. The convection feature provides an even distribution of heat, which helps in the even baking of cakes. Additionally, the preheat time is quite fast, meaning I don’t have to waste time waiting to start baking.  

But most importantly, the size is ideal for small cakes, and instead of turning on my large oven to bake a single dessert, I can cook it in the toaster oven. I appreciate that I can view the cake through the glass door and not lose heat. 

While using the convection oven, if the temperature is set slightly lower than that of the traditional oven, I can blindly expect my cake to come out fluffy and perfectly golden. So, if anyone is looking for an all-in-one option, the Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven with Grill is the only one to go for.