Ever tried your air-fryer for baking? While it's not ideal for perfectly even cakes, it's great for fuss-free bakes such as brownies, muffins, cookies and crumbles. The pros of using an air-fryer are that most things cook more quickly, as well as being cheaper to run than ovens, helping you save on energy and effort.

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Discover the best air-fryer desserts to recreate at home below, and for more air-fryer recipes see our air-fryer collection, air-fryer recipes for beginners, vegetarian and healthy air-fryer recipes.

If you've not yet bought an air-fryer, discover our top picks in our best air-fryers and best dual air-fryer guide, which is filled with options to suit a variety of needs and budgets. You can also find individual air-fryer reviews content.

Find more information on air-fryers in our guide on what shouldn't you cook in an air-fryer, as well as how to clean an air-fryer, the best air-fryer accessories and best air-fryer cookbooks.

Discover more speedy and energy-saving desserts in our best microwave desserts and microwave cake recipes.

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1. Air-fryer brownies

Air-fryer brownies in a stack on a plate

First up in the air-fryer dessert collection are these fudgy, double chocolate air-fryer brownies. Made with dark chocolate and studded with white chocolate chips, they taste every bit as luxurious as your standard oven-baked brownie, with less prep time required. The ingredient list is kept short and features everyday storecupboard ingredients, so you can bake whenever the mood strikes.

See our best ever chocolate brownies, then check out our collection of brownie recipes.

2. Air-fryer Bramley apple crumble

Bowl of apple crumble topped with custard

While apple crumbles are typically associated with baking in the oven, we've come up with a solution to achieve golden, crumble heaven in the air-fryer. It takes 30 minutes to prep and cook, making it a winner for last-minute guests. Add dried berries, cherries or sultanas, if you like, and enjoy warm with cream, vanilla ice cream or custard.

Discover our best ever crumble recipes for inspired bakes.

3. Air-fryer lemon drizzle cake

Air-fryer lemon drizzle cake cut into slices

Good news, lemon drizzle lovers! Air-fryers are great for making a fuss-free loaf cake, including this lemon drizzle. It takes about an hour to bake, but air-fryers tend to be more energy-efficient than convection ovens, and you'll be as equally delighted with the results.

See more lemon-flavoured bakes in our best lemon cake recipes.

4. Air-fryer banana bread

Air-fryer banana bread cut into slices

Fancy a spot of air-fryer baking this weekend? Put your kitchen kit to good use with this air-fryer recipe for banana bread, given a flavour boost with the addition of crunchy pecans and chocolate chips. Feel free try any other nuts you prefer.

Search for more banana bread ideas in our collection of banana bread recipes.

5. Air-fryer doughnuts

Two air-fryer doughnuts on a wire rack

Bake a batch of doughnuts in the air-fryer for ease. These air-fryer doughnuts have a slightly different texture to the deep-fried version, but they still come out fluffy and delicious, plus they use less oil. Top with a glaze or sugar and cinnamon for the ultimate afternoon treat!

Browse through more doughnut recipes in our collection of best doughnut recipes.

6. Air-fryer carrot cake

Carrot cake topped with icing and nuts

Call in your trusty air-fryer to make this classic carrot cake, topped with a deliciously smooth soft cheese icing and a scattering of crushed pecans for added crunch. Best enjoyed with friends and a just-brewed pot of tea.

For an original carrot cake recipe plus variations, see our collection of carrot cake recipes.

7. Air-fryer muffins

Air fryer muffins on a wire tray

Did you know you can make beautifully golden brown muffins in half the time? Thanks to the air-fryer, you can achieve the same fluffy muffins we know and love but in just 25 minutes. The beauty of this recipe is the freedom to personalise with your favourites: blueberries, chocolate chips or dried fruit all work. You can even double the mixture to make more.

See our collection of muffin recipes for more ideas.

8. Air-fryer healthy cookies

Healthy cookies

Use your air-fryer to make these crunchy raspberry, almond & oat cookies, simply place the cookies in a single layer in the air-fryer basket and air-fry for 8-10 mins until firm around the edges and golden brown. These energy-boosting morsels are perfect for a quick breakfast, or offer as snacks to bridge the hunger gap before dinner. Enjoy with yogurt and fruit, if you like.

Check out more healthy baking recipes and cookie recipes.

9. Air-fryer mince pies

Broken mince pie on a plate next to several others shaped into a Christmas tree.

Save energy and effort while enjoying a festive staple with these air-fryer mince pies. Air-fryer baking has never looked so decadent! To cut time you can use ready-made shortcrust pastry, perfect if you're after a last-minute bake to replenish your cake tin over the festive period. And if you're a die hard mince pie fan, who says you can't enjoy all year round?

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See our main collection of mince pie recipes for more ideas as well as our freezable mince pie collection.

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