Air Fryer Santa Cupcakes
Air Fryer Santa Cupcakes are my go-to whenever I need a crowd-pleasing holiday dessert that looks impressive but comes together quickly in the air fryer. The chocolate stays incredibly moist and tender, while the tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting balances the rich cocoa perfectly. They're perfect for Christmas parties, potlucks, and holiday bake sales. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 3 months.
Ingredients
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
Here are my best tips to make your Air Fryer Santa Cupcakes festive every time.
- 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
Calories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 177mgPotassium: 114mgFiber: 2gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 538IUCalcium: 56mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!