What I love most about this Air Fryer Strawberry Earthquake Cake is the uneven, rippled cream cheese topping studded with fresh strawberries and melted white chocolate, layered over a soft, tender vanilla cake. It comes together faster than any oven version, and every slice looks as good as it tastes. Every bite is rich, fruity, and so delicious you’ll want seconds.
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I make this for birthday parties, summer cookouts, and potlucks when I want something that looks impressive and tastes incredible. It’s the kind of dessert that gets people crowding around the pan before it’s even fully cooled, and it’s perfect served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days and enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Strawberry Earthquake Cake with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
You honestly won’t believe how easy it is to pull off a strawberry earthquake cake recipe this good in your air fryer.
Mix the Cake Batter
In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, eggs, water, and oil together until the batter is smooth and no dry pockets remain. A good-quality stand mixer or hand mixer makes this step effortless and gets the batter perfectly smooth in less than a minute.
Bake the Cake Base
Pour the batter into a pan that fits your air fryer and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Make sure you’re using a glass baking dish that fits snugly in your basket for the best results.
Make the Cream Cheese Topping
While the cake bakes, beat together the cream cheese and melted butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, then mix until the mixture is creamy and well combined.
Add the Toppings
Once the cake is done, remove it from the air fryer. Scatter the diced strawberries and white chocolate chips evenly over the top. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the surface of your prepared baking dish. A cookie scoop makes it easy to portion and place the cream cheese mixture without making a mess.
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!
Bake Again
Return the cake to the air fryer and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the topping is set and slightly golden.
Cool the Strawberry Cake
Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. Cooling on this wire cooling rack allows air to circulate under the pan and helps the cake set properly, so your slices hold together.
Serve
Serve the cake warm, topped with extra fresh strawberries and a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired. Enjoy!
If you’re bringing this to a gathering, let the cake cool completely in the pan first, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil. An insulated casserole carrier keeps it secure and at the right temperature during transport. Slice at your destination for the cleanest presentation.
Air Fryer Strawberry Earthquake Cake
Add Preferred SourceIngredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 2½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup diced strawberries plus extra for topping
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- Vanilla ice cream optional, for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, eggs, water, and oil until smooth.1 box vanilla cake mix, 3 large eggs, 1 cup water, ½ cup vegetable oil
- Pour the batter into the pan that fits your air fryer and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- While the cake bakes, beat together the cream cheese and melted butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until creamy and well combined.8 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup unsalted butter, 2½ cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Once the cake is done, remove it from the air fryer. Scatter the diced strawberries and white chocolate chips over the top. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the surface.1 cup diced strawberries, 2 cups white chocolate chips
- Return the cake to the air fryer and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the topping is set and slightly golden.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.Vanilla ice cream
Notes
- Use room-temperature ingredients: Room-temperature eggs and softened cream cheese blend more smoothly and give you a better texture in both the cake and the topping.
- Check your pan size first: Make sure the baking pan fits in your air fryer basket before you start. A pan that’s too large will prevent even airflow and affect how the cake bakes.
- Don’t skip the second bake: Those final 10 minutes are what set the cream cheese topping and give it a lightly golden finish. Pulling the cake too early will leave the topping loose and undercooked.
- Pat the strawberries dry: If your diced strawberries are especially juicy, blot them gently with a paper towel before scattering them on top. Too much moisture can make the topping watery.
- Flash freeze for neat slices: If you plan to freeze the cake, let it cool completely, then freeze the whole pan uncovered for 1 hour before slicing and wrapping individual portions. The slices will hold together much better.
- Warm it up before serving leftovers: Cold slices straight from the fridge are good, but 20 seconds in the microwave brings the cream cheese back to that warm, gooey texture that makes this cake so irresistible.
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
Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or transfer leftovers to an airtight glass container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The cream cheese topping firms up in the fridge, so let individual slices sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before serving, or warm them gently in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.
You can also freeze slices for up to 2 months. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm briefly in the microwave before serving.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Strawberry Earthquake Cake
A scoop of vanilla ice cream served right on top of a warm slice is the most classic pairing, and it works perfectly because the cold ice cream melts slightly into the gooey cream cheese swirls. Fresh strawberries scattered over each slice add a nice pop of brightness and make it look beautiful on the plate.
For drinks, a glass of cold milk is always a crowd-pleaser alongside a rich, creamy cake. Hot coffee or a lightly sweetened iced tea also pairs really well and cuts through the sweetness nicely.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
I think you’ll also love these other easy air fryer dessert recipes.
