There is nothing particularly novel about a mug cake. The single-serving, chocolate-forward dessert had its rightful moment in the sun as a quick, easy, and delicious indulgence, requiring only a handful of ingredients, a microwave and — you guessed it — a mug to yield sweet, fudgy perfection.
Of course, plenty of variations of mug cake have been made, with crave-worthy additions such as marshmallow fluff, peanut butter and caramel, though little has changed in its simple preparation.
We at CNET are big fans of the mighty air fryer: The appliance seemingly does it all, from crisping vegetables to making hard-boiled eggs. But one recipe we haven’t tested is our tried-and-true mug cake recipe. Does it convert?
Spoiler alert: It totally does. Here is a complete rundown.
How to make a chocolate mug cake
First, we assembled the ingredients and instructions, converting only the microwaving step (#4) into one tailored for the air fryer. If you’re wondering, you can adapt almost any oven or stovetop recipe for the air fryer.
Ingredients for air fryer mug cake
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 to 4 tablespoons sugar (depending on how sweet you want your cake to be)
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- A few drops of vanilla extract
- Chocolate chips to taste (optional)
Check your mug cake after 10 minutes using the butter knife test.
What to consider when making a mug cake in an air fryer
While the outcome was equally, if not more, scrumptious, it certainly takes longer than a standard microwave mug cake (which cooks in less than 2 minutes). That said, an air fryer allowed for a bit of a crust and caramelization to form around its edges, making it completely worth the wait and superior to its microwave version.
The air fryer model used was a Kalorik MAXX. Its French double-door design makes it easier to accommodate bulkier cooking and baking vessels. If your air fryer is limited to smaller trays and baskets, opt for a ramekin or something more shallow so your batter actually fits and cooks evenly. Be mindful of measurements, as well — this mini cake rises, and you’ll want to leave enough space for it to do so without spilling over.
Lastly, make sure your cookware can withstand higher temperatures so it doesn’t crack and potentially destroy your homemade confection (or pose a significant fire risk!).
