Easy Air Fryer Victoria Sponge Recipe

Victoria sponge cake is one of those timeless classics that never goes out of style. Traditionally baked in the oven, this light and airy sponge is filled with sweet jam and fresh cream, making it the perfect afternoon treat or birthday centerpiece. But here’s the twist: you can now make it in your air fryer. Yes, really!

Baking a Victoria sponge in the air fryer might sound a little unconventional, but once you’ve tried it, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been doing it all along. Air fryers aren’t just for fries and chicken wings—they’re brilliant for baking cakes, too. The circulating hot air gives you an even bake, while also saving you time and energy. Plus, it’s perfect if you don’t want to heat up the whole kitchen with the oven.

In this post, I’ll share a step-by-step air fryer Victoria sponge recipe that works beautifully whether you’re using a basket-style air fryer or something like the One Drawer Ninja air fryer (which I absolutely love for cakes because of the consistent results). You’ll get fluffy sponge layers, that golden finish, and all the classic flavor of a Victoria sponge – without ever turning on your oven.

Why Make a Victoria Sponge in the Air Fryer?

There are a few great reasons to bake cakes in your air fryer:

• Quick baking time: Air fryers heat up much faster than traditional ovens, which cuts your baking time down.

• Energy efficient: If you’re only making one cake, you don’t need to waste energy preheating a large oven.

• Even bake: The air circulation in the fryer helps prevent underbaked centers or overly browned edges.

• Small-space friendly: Perfect if you don’t have access to a full-sized oven (college dorms, RVs, or small apartments).

And honestly, it’s just fun to experiment! Baking in an air fryer feels a little like magic – watching that batter puff up into a golden sponge in half the usual time is incredibly satisfying.

Air Fryer Victoria Sponge Ingredients

This recipe makes a classic two-layer sponge cake that you can sandwich with jam and cream (or buttercream).

For the sponge:

• 1 cup (200 g) caster sugar (or granulated sugar if that’s what you have)

• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened

• 4 large eggs

• 2 cups (250 g) self-raising flour (or all-purpose flour + 2 tsp baking powder)

• 2 tbsp (30 ml) whole milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the filling:

• ½ cup (150 g) strawberry jam or raspberry jam

• ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream (US) / double cream (UK), whipped to soft peaks
  (or you can use vanilla buttercream if you prefer)

For the topping:

• A dusting of confectioners’ sugar (icing sugar in the UK)

Equipment You’ll Need

• Air fryer (basket or drawer style works; I used a One Drawer Ninja air fryer for testing)

• Two 7-inch (18 cm) round cake pans that fit inside your fryer

• Parchment paper

• Mixing bowls

• Electric mixer or whisk

• Spatula

Step-by-Step Method: Air Fryer Victoria Sponge

Step 1: Prep your air fryer and pans
Line your cake pans with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides. Depending on your air fryer, you may need to bake the layers one at a time.

Step 2: Cream butter and sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step is key for that airy sponge texture.

Step 3: Add the eggs
Crack in the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. If the mixture looks like it’s curdling, add a spoonful of flour to bring it back together.

Step 4: Fold in the flour
Sift the flour (and baking powder if using) into the bowl. Gently fold it in with a spatula, alternating with the milk and vanilla. Try not to overmix, as you want to keep that air in.

Step 5: Divide and bake
Split the batter evenly between your two pans. Place the first pan into your air fryer. Bake at 320°F (160°C) for 18–22 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Repeat with the second pan.

(Note: Baking times vary slightly between air fryers, so keep an eye on your sponge from the 18-minute mark.)

Step 6: Cool the sponges
Once baked, let the sponges cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. Make sure they’re completely cool before filling.

Step 7: Assemble the cake
Spread jam over the bottom of one sponge, then top with whipped cream. Sandwich with the second sponge and dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Tips for Success

• Don’t overfill pans: Air fryer cakes rise quickly, so make sure your pans aren’t filled more than halfway.

• Check halfway through: Every air fryer is a little different; check around the 15-minute mark to avoid overbaking.

• Use room temp ingredients: This helps everything combine more smoothly, especially the butter.

• Jam first, cream second: Putting jam on first helps prevent the cream from soaking into the sponge.

Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic, you can experiment with different flavors:

• Lemon Victoria Sponge: Add 1 tbsp lemon zest to the batter and fill with lemon curd and cream.

• Chocolate Victoria Sponge: Swap ¼ cup (30 g) flour for cocoa powder.

• Berry twist: Add fresh raspberries or strawberries to the cream layer.

• Mini sponges: Use ramekins to create individual sponge cakes in the air fryer.

Storing Your Air Fryer Victoria Sponge

• Room temperature: Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

• Refrigerator: Store for 3–4 days if filled with fresh cream. Let it come to room temp before serving.

• Freezer: You can freeze the sponge layers (unfilled) for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and thaw before assembling.

Air Fryer Victoria Sponge Recipe Card (Quick Reference)

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes per layer
Total time: 55 minutes
Serves: 8–10

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (200 g) sugar

• 1 cup (225 g) butter

• 4 eggs

• 2 cups (250 g) self-raising flour

• 2 tbsp (30 ml) milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ½ cup (150 g) jam

• ¾ cup (180 ml) cream

• Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Method:

1. Prep pans and preheat air fryer.

2. Cream butter and sugar.

3. Beat in eggs.

4. Fold in flour, milk, vanilla.

5. Divide into pans, bake 18–22 mins at 320°F (160°C).

6. Cool completely.

7. Fill with jam and cream, dust with sugar, serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you bake a Victoria sponge in an air fryer?
Yes! It turns out beautifully light and fluffy. You just need to use the right-sized cake pans that fit in your air fryer.

2. What size cake pans fit in an air fryer?
Most basket or drawer-style air fryers fit 7-inch (18 cm) round pans. Always measure your air fryer basket before buying pans.

3. How do I stop the sponge from browning too much on top?
If your sponge is browning quickly but not fully baked, tent the top with a piece of foil for the last 5 minutes of baking.

4. Can I make a Victoria sponge without cream?
Yes, just use jam on its own, or substitute with buttercream frosting if you want a longer shelf life.

5. How do I make the sponge extra light?
Cream the butter and sugar thoroughly until pale and fluffy. Folding the flour gently also keeps the air in.

6. What’s the difference between a Victoria sponge and a regular sponge cake?
A Victoria sponge is a simple British sponge cake filled with jam and cream, named after Queen Victoria who loved it with her afternoon tea. It’s lighter than pound cake and less rich than butter cake.

7. Can I make a gluten-free version?
Absolutely. Use a gluten-free self-raising flour blend, and check that your baking powder is gluten-free.

8. What’s the best air fryer for baking cakes?
Look for an air fryer with consistent temperature control and enough space for cake pans. Models like the One Drawer Ninja air fryer are particularly good for this.

Making a Victoria sponge cake in the air fryer is a game-changer. It’s quick, efficient, and gives you a perfect bake every time. Whether you’re craving a sweet treat on a weekday or impressing guests at a weekend gathering, this recipe proves that your air fryer is far more versatile than you might think.

So next time you’re tempted to whip up a cake, don’t automatically reach for the oven. Try this air fryer Victoria sponge recipe – light, fluffy, golden, and filled with jam and cream, it’s proof that classics can be made modern with just a little twist.

See some more of my Air Fryer Recipes and also Baking Posts!