Easy air fryer date cake recipe

This air fryer date cake is such a simple recipe, and honestly, I was surprised by how good it came out. The cake is soft, buttery, and moist inside, with golden edges and tender dates baked right on top… all from a really straightforward batter.

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Check out my air fryer date cake recipe video below and see exactly how I make it! If you like it, give the video a thumbs up and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more easy air fryer baking recipes.

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Why I love this air fryer date cake

What I like most about this recipe is that there is nothing complicated going on. You make a simple cake batter, arrange the dates over the top, and bake the whole thing right in the air fryer basket.

And yet, once it is baked, it looks so much more impressive than the amount of work you actually put into it. Let’s be honest… those are exactly the kinds of baking recipes I want more of!

You also do not need a separate cake pan for this version. I line the air fryer basket with parchment, lightly grease it, and pour the batter right in.

What does this date cake taste like?

The inside of this cake stays soft and moist, but it is not heavy or dense. It has that lovely buttery feel you expect from a simple homemade cake, with a light vanilla flavor in the background.

The dates sit right on top rather than being mixed through the batter. They soften while the cake bakes and give you those sweet little bites here and there without taking over the whole cake.

The outside gets lightly golden in the air fryer too… and when you cut into it while it is still just a little warm, it is sooo good.

Air fryer date cake ingredients

This recipe makes 9 servings.

• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• Small pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (50 ml) milk
• 3 1/2 tablespoons (50 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons (140 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons (5 g) baking powder
• 3/4 to 1 cup (120 to 150 g) pitted dates
• Small amount of oil, for greasing the parchment

Which dates should I use?

You can use whichever dates you normally buy. Medjool dates are larger and usually softer, while some smaller varieties can be a bit firmer.

I like giving the dates a short soak in warm water before they go onto the cake. You are not trying to turn them mushy, just soften them a little before baking.

DID YOU KNOW: Firmer dried dates absorb a little water as they soak, which makes them softer and more pleasant to eat once baked.

Equipment you will need

You really do not need much for this recipe, which is always nice when you are baking something quick.

• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Spatula
• Small bowl for the dates
• Air fryer
• Air fryer liner or parchment paper

The size and shape of your air fryer basket will affect how deep the batter sits. A smaller basket gives you a thicker cake, which can take a little longer to bake through.

How to make air fryer date cake

Step 1: Soften the dates

First, add the pitted dates to a bowl of warm water and leave them there for about 10 to 15 minutes. They only need to soften a little, so there is no need to leave them soaking for a long time.

While they are sitting in the water, you can get on with the batter. By the time you need the dates, they should be ready to use.

Step 2: Start the cake batter

Then, crack 2 large eggs into a mixing bowl. Add 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a small pinch of salt.

Give everything a good whisk until the mixture looks smooth and the sugar has mostly dissolved. You do not need to beat the eggs for ages; just whisk until everything is nicely mixed together.

Step 3: Add the butter and milk

Then, add 3 1/2 tablespoons (50 g) softened unsalted butter and give it a good whisk. Keep going until the butter has blended into the egg mixture and you do not have any big lumps sitting in the bowl.

Pour in 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (50 ml) milk and whisk again until the mixture looks even.

TOP TIP: The butter really does need to be soft here. If it is still cold and firm, it will be much harder to whisk into the eggs and you will end up chasing lumps around the bowl.

Step 4: Add the flour

Then, add about half of the 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons (140 g) all-purpose flour and start mixing that into the batter first. I like adding the flour in two parts because it is much easier to mix this way.

Once that first half is mixed in, add 1 1/4 teaspoons (5 g) baking powder and give it another good mix. Then add the remaining flour and mix again until the batter looks smooth and you cannot see any dry flour left.

NOTE: Once the flour has disappeared into the batter, stop mixing. There is no need to keep going once everything looks smooth.

Step 5: Prepare the air fryer basket

Take an air fryer liner or a piece of parchment paper and lightly grease it with a little oil. Fit it into the basket so the bottom is covered and the parchment comes up around the sides.

A few folds and wrinkles in the paper are completely fine. It does not need to look perfect; it just needs to hold the batter and make the finished cake easier to lift out.

Step 6: Add the batter

Pour the cake batter into the lined air fryer basket. Use a spatula to spread it out and smooth the top so the batter sits in a fairly even layer.

Try to get the batter into the corners too, especially if you have a square basket like mine. This helps the cake bake into a nice even shape.

Step 7: Add the dates

Then, take the softened dates and arrange them across the top of the batter. I like to space them out so you get dates across the whole cake rather than having them all sitting together in one area.

There is no need to push them down. Simply place them on top and leave them there.

Step 8: Bake the cake

Bake the air fryer date cake in a preheated air fryer at 320°F (160°C) for about 30 minutes. I would start checking it at around 27 minutes, because some air fryers run hotter than others.

The cake is ready when the top looks golden brown, and your kitchen smells absolutely amazing. Insert a toothpick into an area of the cake rather than through one of the dates, and it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

TOP TIP: If the top is already golden but the center still needs a little longer, lower the temperature slightly and continue baking for a few more minutes. That gives the middle time to finish without making the top too dark.

How long does date cake take in the air fryer?

For this recipe, around 30 minutes at 320°F (160°C) works well. But air fryers can vary quite a bit depending on their wattage, basket shape, and heating elements, so do not rely on the clock alone.

A wider basket spreads the batter into a thinner layer and may bake more quickly. A smaller basket makes a deeper cake, so the center may need a few extra minutes.

Once it is done, leave the cake in the basket for a little while before lifting it out. It will firm up slightly as it cools and will be easier to handle.

Related Recipe: If you like baking in your air fryer, then check out this soft and fluffy air fryer yogurt cake here also.

How to store air fryer date cake

Once the cake has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for around 2 days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, I would keep it in the refrigerator instead.

In the refrigerator, it should keep well for about 4 to 5 days. I like letting a slice sit out for a little while before eating because the cake softens again as it comes back toward room temperature.

What to serve with this date cake

I think this cake is really nice on its own, especially with coffee or tea. It already has that soft buttery middle and the dates on top, so it does not need frosting to make it feel finished.

If you are serving it as dessert, a little lightly whipped cream or some powdered sugar on top works really well too. I would keep the extras simple and let the cake do most of the work.

More of my best air fryer cake recipes

If you enjoyed making this air fryer date cake, have a look at more of my best air fryer cake recipes below. I love seeing just how many different cakes you can actually bake this way, and there are plenty more to try when you feel like putting your air fryer to work on something sweet.

• Air Fryer Yogurt Cake – This air fryer yogurt cake is soft, moist, and wonderfully simple to make. It’s an easy everyday cake when you want something sweet without turning on the oven.
• 20 Minute Air Fryer Cheesecake – This creamy air fryer cheesecake takes just 20 minutes to cook. It’s a quick homemade dessert with a smooth, rich filling and very little fuss.
• Air Fryer Baked Oats Recipe – These air fryer baked oats come out soft and fluffy with an almost cake-like texture. They’re an easy option for breakfast or a simple sweet treat.

And if you make this air fryer date cake, let me know in the comments below or in the YouTube video comments how it turned out for you. If you have a question about the recipe, leave that too… I try to respond to all the comments and questions I can.