Air Fryer Victoria Sponge Cake – A Classic British Treat Made Easier
Introduction to the Victoria Sponge Cake
The Victoria Sponge Cake, also known as the Victoria Sandwich, is a beloved British classic named after Queen Victoria, who reportedly enjoyed a slice with her afternoon tea. Traditionally, this cake features two light sponge layers filled with jam and whipped cream or buttercream, making it perfect for tea parties, birthdays, or casual weekend bakes.
But here’s the twist: instead of using a conventional oven, you’ll be baking this beauty in an air fryer! That’s right—your compact countertop hero isn’t just for fries and chicken wings. Baking in the air fryer is faster, energy-efficient, and ideal for small batch cakes like this one.
Why Make Victoria Sponge in an Air Fryer?
If you’re new to air fryer baking, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how well it replicates the results of an oven—sometimes even better.
Here are a few reasons to use your air fryer for this cake:
- Faster cooking time (no preheating like a regular oven)
- Even heat distribution for a light, fluffy sponge
- No need to heat the whole kitchen
- Perfect size for small households or single-layer cakes
- Ideal when your oven is full or not working
Texture and Taste
This sponge cake is light, airy, and tender, with a subtle vanilla flavor and a golden crust. When layered with strawberry or raspberry jam and whipped cream, it becomes a perfect balance of sweet and rich. The simplicity is what makes it special.
The air fryer bakes the sponge gently, locking in moisture while giving it just enough browning around the edges.
Best Air Fryer for Baking Cakes
While most air fryers can handle cakes, basket-style air fryers are best suited with the addition of a cake pan insert or silicone baking molds. Alternatively, oven-style air fryers with multiple rack positions are great for baking two sponge layers at once.
Just make sure:
- Your cake pan fits the air fryer basket (6-inch or 7-inch pans are ideal)
- You reduce oven temperature by about 20°C/35°F compared to oven recipes
- You check the cake 5 minutes early to avoid overbaking
Key Ingredients (Unchanged but Optimized in Layout)
The Victoria Sponge uses pantry-friendly ingredients that are probably already in your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Butter – Use softened, unsalted butter for the fluffiest sponge.
- Caster Sugar – Or substitute with fine granulated sugar.
- Eggs – Room temperature eggs help the batter emulsify evenly.
- Self-Raising Flour – Already contains baking powder. If using plain flour, add baking powder.
- Vanilla Extract – For classic aroma.
- Milk – Adds moisture and tenderness.
- Jam – Raspberry or strawberry jam is traditional.
- Whipped Cream or Buttercream – Choose depending on your preference.
Step-by-Step Baking Process in the Air Fryer
- Prepare the batter: Cream butter and sugar, beat in eggs and vanilla, then gently fold in flour and milk.
- Line your air fryer-safe cake tin: Use parchment paper or lightly grease.
- Bake in the air fryer: Cook one layer at a time at 160°C (320°F) for 18–22 minutes or until golden and springy.
- Cool completely before filling.
- Assemble: Spread jam and whipped cream between the layers, dust the top with icing sugar.
Best Fillings and Variations
Stick with tradition or switch it up! Try these options:
- Lemon curd and whipped cream for a citrus twist
- Chocolate spread and berries for a richer version
- Vegan cream and chia jam for a plant-based treat
Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Air Fryer Victoria Sponge
- Use room temperature ingredients for best texture.
- Don’t overmix the batter; mix just until combined.
- Rotate the cake tin halfway through baking if your air fryer browns unevenly.
- Let the cake cool completely before layering—warm cake will melt the cream!
- Store leftovers in the fridge if using whipped cream (up to 2 days), or keep at room temperature if filled with buttercream.
Victoria Sponge Cake in Air Fryer – Quick Recipe Card
📌 Description:
A fluffy, classic British sponge cake layered with jam and cream—made quickly and easily in your air fryer. Perfect for tea-time, birthdays, or a simple sweet treat.
⏱️ Duration:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes (per layer)
- Cooling & Assembly: 30 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 10 minutes
🛒 Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) caster sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (120g) self-raising flour
- 2 tbsp milk
For Filling:
- 3 tbsp raspberry or strawberry jam
- 1/2 cup whipped cream or buttercream
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
🥄 Instructions:
- Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Fold in the flour gently, then add milk to loosen the batter.
- Divide the batter into two small greased cake tins that fit your air fryer.
- Bake each layer in the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for 18–22 minutes or until golden and a skewer comes out clean.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Spread jam on one layer, top with whipped cream or buttercream, and sandwich with the second layer.
- Dust with icing sugar before serving.