When To Use Bake Setting on Air Fryer: Expert Tips and Recipes

For years now, I’ve been asked all kinds of air fryer questions, but lately, one keeps popping up. People are really starting to wonder when to use bake setting on air fryer.

It makes sense, right? Air fryers seem to be taking over kitchens. We’ve got “air fry” for crispy treats, but what about “bake?” And more importantly, when do you actually need to make the switch?

You see, having that “bake” option opens a world of possibilities. It’s not just about French fries and chicken wings anymore (although, don’t get me wrong, I love those!). The variety of air fryer recipes is impressive, including baked goods like cookies, bread, cakes, pies, and pastries.

This little button is the gateway to fluffy cakes, gooey cookies, and perfectly roasted veggies—all without ever turning on your oven. But I know, trying something new in the kitchen can feel like a gamble. Will it be dry? Will it burn? Let’s find out!

Jump to:

• Is Air Fryer Baking REALLY Baking?
• The Beauty of the Bake Setting: What's It Good For?
• When Air Fryer Baking MIGHT Not Be the Best Choice
• Conquering Your Air Fryer's Bake Setting with Proper Air Fryer Settings
• Bake Setting: Step-by-step to Ensure Even Baked Goods
• FAQ's
• Conclusion
• Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

Is Air Fryer Baking REALLY Baking?

Let’s be clear—using the “bake” setting on your air fryer doesn’t magically turn it into a traditional oven. Instead, think of it as the cooler, more efficient cousin of the convection setting on your regular oven. Both rely on hot air circulation for even cooking, but an air fryer does it much faster.

When using an air fryer as an alternative to a conventional oven, you may need to make slight adjustments in baking time, temperature, and batch size. You get that beautiful golden-brown finish in a fraction of the time.

The Beauty of the Bake Setting: What's It Good For?

I love experimenting in the kitchen, and the air fryer’s bake setting is my new best friend. Why? Because it excels at recipes where a little crispiness is a good thing:

• Cookies and Brownies: Imagine perfectly crispy edges with soft, chewy centers—the air fryer bake setting is a cookie lover’s dream.

• Air Fryer Pizza: The air fryer gives the pizza a unique texture and a beautifully browned top, making it a fun and quick way to enjoy pizza.
• Muffins and Quick Breads: It gives them a delightful crust while keeping the inside soft and moist.
• Dinner Rolls: The air fryer produces a beautiful golden brown top on dinner rolls, and they bake faster than in a traditional oven.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted veggies get tender on the inside and slightly caramelized on the outside in the air fryer. It’s all about maximizing flavor.

And here’s where the air fryer really shines - single servings. Ever find yourself craving just one cookie? With the bake setting, you can whip up small batches without wasting time and energy heating a whole oven. It’s perfect for satisfying those midnight cravings without the guilt.

Check out these easy hacks: Air Fryer Hacks: Genius Ways to Use Your Air Fryer

When Air Fryer Baking MIGHT Not Be the Best Choice

While the bake setting is incredibly versatile, it’s not a magic solution for everything. Some things are better left to your traditional oven.

Cakes are tricky. You run the risk of that dreaded unevenly-cooked situation—a perfectly golden outside and a gooey, undercooked inside. If you’re craving a fluffy, perfectly risen cake, your oven is still your best bet.

The air fryer is small and powerful. This can sometimes dry out more delicate pastries like croissants and delicate fish. Preheating is especially important when using baking powder and baking soda for proper rising and texture.

While there are workarounds for baking in an air fryer, certain recipes need the gentle heat and even distribution that only a good old-fashioned oven can provide. However, there are specific recipes that are best suited for your air fryer. So don’t throw the option to bake away just yet!

Check out this delicious recipe: Air Fryer S’Mores Dip

Conquering Your Air Fryer's Bake Setting with Proper Air Fryer Settings

Ready to try baking with your air fryer? Understanding and mastering air fryer settings is crucial for achieving the best results. Here are my insider tips for air fryer baking:

The cooking process in an air fryer works by circulating hot air within the cooking chamber, similar to a mini convection oven, which ensures even cooking and baking of a variety of foods and desserts.

Adjust Time & Temperature

I’ll let you in on a little secret. Learning when to use the bake setting on the air fryer successfully means understanding this golden rule—adjust your temperature and baking time.

Most recipes are written for conventional ovens. So when switching to your air fryer, lower the temperature by about 25 degrees and reduce the baking time by 20% to 25% to start. Because, seriously, who wants a burnt cookie?

My air fryer, for instance, is a beast. I have to bake things even lower and slower than my friends’ fryers. Getting a feel for how hot YOUR air fryer runs is key. Use an Oven-to-Air Fryer Converter if it helps.

Preheat for Perfection

Just like your trusty oven, preheating your air fryer helps ensure your baked goodies cook evenly and rise beautifully. However, unlike that beast of a traditional oven that takes forever to heat up, the air fryer reaches its target temperature lightning-fast, often in less than five minutes.

But don't walk away just yet. Watch it closely, especially when you’re trying out the bake setting for the first time. Keep those oven mitts handy for any mid-bake checks or temperature tweaks you might need to make along the way. This is about learning the nuances of YOUR appliance.

Parchment Paper Is Your Air Fryer’s BFF

Trust me, parchment paper is a must-have when you’re working in that bake setting. Think of it as your secret weapon against sticky messes and unevenly cooked treats. I like to create little parchment "slings" to lower and lift my baked goods with ease.

Save yourself the effort of cleaning those crevices by simply adding this step before air frying, you will thank me for it later!

Less Is More When It Comes to Air Fryer Baking

Here's a hard truth about air fryer baking. It thrives on smaller batches. When it’s packed to the brim, hot air struggles to circulate. That often results in undercooked middles and nobody has time for that.

Check out this delicious recipe for Air Fryer Tortilla Garlic Bread for more inspiration.

Bake Setting: Step-by-step to Ensure Even Baked Goods

Using the Bake Setting on Your Air Fryer

1. Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to the specified temperature for baking. This is typically around 350°F (175°C) for most recipes. Preheating times may vary according to your recipe.
2. Prepare Your Food: Prepare your food item for baking. This could be anything from pastries to casseroles or even desserts.
3. Place in Basket: Place your prepared food item in the air fryer basket. Ensure there's enough space around the food for air circulation.
4. Set Time and Temperature: Set the bake time and temperature according to your recipe or the food's requirements. Use the air fryer's controls to adjust these settings.
5. Monitor Cooking: Close the air fryer basket and monitor the cooking progress through the appliance's viewing window if available. Some models might require shaking or flipping halfway through cooking.
6. Check for Doneness: Use a toothpick or fork to check if the food is cooked through. Adjust the cooking time if needed, depending on how your air fryer cooks.
7. Remove and Serve: Once done, carefully remove the food from the air fryer basket using tongs or oven mitts. Transfer it to a serving plate or dish.
8. Enjoy Your Baked Goodies: Serve your delicious baked treats hot or let them cool down a bit before serving.

Conclusion

Deciding when to use the bake setting on your air fryer is a game of experimentation and understanding its strengths. But once you do, get ready for a world of baking possibilities. When to use the bake setting on an air fryer all boils down to knowing your machine and what you want to create. Start simple, experiment boldly, and always have fun with it. Now go forth and bake.