I started making Air Fryer Santa Cupcakes because my oven stays busy during the holidays, and these turn out even better. They’re rich and perfectly moist, never dry or crumbly like some get. Tangy cream cheese frosting pipes beautifully into red Santa hats, and fluffy marshmallow toppers make them look absolutely bakery-perfect. They’re so cute and delicious, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to try them.
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I make these for Christmas parties and holiday potlucks because everyone loves the adorable Santa hat design, and they always disappear fast. They’re festive and fuss-free, making them perfect when you need crowd-pleasing dessert that stands out. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for 3 months.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Santa Cupcakes with Step-By-Step Instructions
You’ll love how quickly these festive cupcakes come together in your air fryer.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until everything’s evenly distributed. This helps prevent cocoa clumps and bakes your cupcakes evenly.
Combine the Wet Ingredients
Beat the butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until smooth and creamy. The butter should be softened to room temperature so it blends easily without lumps. I use a hand mixer like this one because it allows the batter to be lighter and more consistent every time, but a stand mixer works great too.
Make the Batter
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with water, and mix gently with a spoon until just combined. Don’t overmix, or your cupcakes will turn out dense and tough.
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AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
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∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
I like using a silicone spatula like this when I fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture because it glides through the batter gently and helps prevent overmixing for a softer crumb.
Fill the Cupcake Molds
Fill each cupcake mold about two-thirds full with batter using a medium cookie scoop and place them in your air fryer basket, leaving space between each for proper air circulation.
I love using these cupcake liners because they hold their shape beautifully in the air fryer, release the cupcakes cleanly, and make filling each mold so much easier.
Air Fry the Cupcakes
Air fry at 300°F (150°C) using the air fryer setting for 10 to 12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. I like using these bamboo toothpicks because they slide in cleanly and let me check doneness without leaving big holes in the cupcakes.
Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire cooling rack before decorating, since any residual warmth will cause the frosting to melt.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
In a bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar and continue beating until the frosting becomes light and fluffy. Divide the frosting into two portions and tint one red using red food coloring, leaving the other white.
Decorate the Santa Hats
Fill two piping bags with the red and white frosting. Pipe the red frosting onto each cupcake in a tall cone shape to create the hat. For the trim, you can either sprinkle powdered sugar around the base for a snowy look or use the white frosting to pipe a classic Santa hat border. These reusable piping bags are my go-to because they help the frosting glide out smoothly and make it easy to build perfect Santa hat peaks without any mess.
And lastly, finish each cupcake with a mini marshmallow on top to create the pom-pom of Santa’s hat. Don’t stress about getting the piping just right; even imperfect hats turn out charming, wobbles and all. Serve and watch them disappear!
If you’re bringing these to Christmas parties and potlucks, chill the Santa Cupcakes for 20–30 minutes before traveling so the frosting firms up nicely. Pack them in a cupcake carrier or bakery box, and keep them away from heat to prevent any smudging or melting.
Air Fryer Santa Cupcakes
Add Preferred SourceIngredients
For the cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup water
For the frosting:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- Red food coloring
- Small marshmallows for decoration
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt
- In a separate bowl, beat the butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.½ cup unsalted butter, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ cup milk
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with water, and mix gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing.¼ cup water
- Fill each cupcake mold about two-thirds full with batter. Place them in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each for air circulation.
- Air fry at 300°F (150°C) for 10–12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely before decorating as directed above.
To Decorate (Santa Hats):
- In a bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.¼ cup unsalted butter, 4 ounces cream cheese, 2 cups powdered sugar
- Divide the frosting into two portions. Tint one portion red using red food coloring, leaving the other portion white. Fill two piping bags—one with red frosting and one with white.Red food coloring
- Pipe the red frosting onto each cupcake in the shape of a Santa hat (a tall cone). Use the white frosting to pipe around the base of the hat for the trim.
- Finish each cupcake by placing a mini marshmallow on top to resemble the pom-pom of Santa’s hat.Small marshmallows
Notes
- Don’t overfill the molds: Fill liners only two-thirds full, so the cupcakes have room to rise without overflowing and losing their shape.
- Make-ahead trick: Bake and freeze unfrosted cupcakes up to 2 weeks ahead, then thaw and decorate the day of your party for fresh-looking Santa hats.
- Cool completely before frosting: Even slightly warm cupcakes will melt the cream cheese frosting and ruin your Santa hat design.
- Use gel food coloring: Gel food coloring gives you brighter red frosting without thinning the consistency like liquid food coloring does.
- Practice your piping: Pipe a few practice cones on parchment paper before decorating the cupcakes so you get the shape right.
- Flash freeze for transport: Freeze decorated cupcakes on a baking sheet for 30 minutes before packing them in a container so the frosting sets and the hats don’t smudge.
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
Store these cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days if your kitchen stays cool. Since the cream cheese frosting can soften and spoil at room temperature, I prefer refrigerating it for a week. Let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving so the frosting softens slightly.
For longer storage, freeze unfrosted cupcakes in freezer bags for up to 3 months, then thaw and decorate when you’re ready to serve.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Santa Cupcakes
Serve them alongside hot cocoa, eggnog, candy cane fudge, or peppermint mocha for a full Christmas dessert spread. I also love setting them out with Christmas cookies like sugar cookies and gingerbread so guests can mix and match their favorites.
For kids’ parties, pair them with candy cane milkshakes or strawberry milk for a festive treat table. They’re sweet enough on their own that you don’t need ice cream or extra toppings.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
If you enjoy making sweet treats in the air fryer, you might also love these other easy dessert recipes.
