Delicious Air Fryer Dump Cake

If you ask me, dump cakes in the air fryer are a total game-changer.

This quick dessert takes the classic dump cake concept and makes it even easier with the help of your air fryer. Sweet fruit filling bubbles underneath a buttery, golden cake mix topping that gets perfectly crisp around the edges.

It’s made with just a few pantry staples – your favorite canned fruit, a box of cake mix, and some melted butter. The air fryer works its magic to create those nice crusty bits while keeping the inside soft and gooey.

It’s a no-fuss dessert that’s ready in half the time of a traditional dump cake, perfect for those moments when you need something sweet without much effort.

What Kind of Cake Mix Should I Use?

For this dump cake recipe, any brand of lemon cake mix from your grocery store will work just fine – whether it’s Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, or your store’s generic brand. While the recipe calls for lemon flavor to complement the pie filling, you could actually switch things up with a yellow or white cake mix if that’s what you have in your pantry. The most important thing is to make sure you’re using a standard 15.25-ounce box of cake mix, as this amount works perfectly with the other ingredients. Just avoid cake mixes that come with pudding in the mix, as these can change the texture of your final dessert.

Options for Substitutions

This easy dump cake recipe can be tweaked in several ways to match what you have in your pantry:

• Lemon cake mix: Any flavor cake mix works great here! Try vanilla, yellow, or even white cake mix. For different flavor combinations, use chocolate cake mix with cherry pie filling, or spice cake mix with apple pie filling.
• Lemon pie filling: Feel free to swap this with any other pie filling – cherry, apple, blueberry, or peach all work well. Just make sure to keep the same amount (21 ounces) to maintain the right consistency.
• Melted butter: While butter gives the best flavor, you can use melted coconut oil as a dairy-free option. If using salted butter, just expect a slightly saltier result.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Skip it entirely or try a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, crushed nuts, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce. For serving, Greek yogurt makes a nice alternative to whipped cream or ice cream.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when making an air fryer dump cake is overcrowding your air fryer basket – using a cake pan that’s too large will prevent proper air circulation and lead to uneven baking. A 6-inch cake pan is perfect for most standard air fryers, leaving enough space around the edges for the hot air to flow.

Another common error is opening the air fryer too frequently to check on the cake, which releases heat and extends cooking time – instead, wait until at least 15 minutes have passed before your first check.

The melted butter distribution is crucial – avoid just pouring it in one spot; rather, drizzle it evenly over the entire surface of the dry cake mix to prevent any dry, powdery patches in your finished cake.

For the best texture, let the cake cool in the air fryer basket for 5-10 minutes after baking, as this helps it set properly and makes it easier to remove from the pan without breaking.

What to Serve With Dump Cake?

This warm and sweet dump cake is perfect for dressing up with some simple extras that make it feel extra special. A scoop of cold vanilla ice cream is my go-to choice – the contrast between warm cake and cold ice cream is just perfect! Fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries make a great addition and add a nice pop of color to the plate. Since this is already a rich dessert, I like to serve it with a hot cup of coffee or tea to balance things out. If you’re feeling fancy, a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream and a sprinkle of powdered sugar are all you need to make this casual dessert feel restaurant-worthy.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Once your air fryer dump cake has cooled down, place it in an airtight container and keep it at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want it to last longer, pop it in the fridge where it’ll stay good for up to 5 days. Just know that the texture might become a bit more dense when chilled.

Make Ahead: While dump cakes are best enjoyed fresh and warm, you can prep the ingredients ahead of time. Measure out your cake mix and have your pie filling ready to go. When you’re ready to serve, just assemble and air fry – it’s that simple!

Warm Up: To bring back that fresh-baked taste, pop individual portions in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 300°F. You can also microwave a slice for about 20-30 seconds. Add a fresh dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream, and it’ll taste just like it’s freshly made!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	12-15 minutes
Total Time	22-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1800-2100
• Protein: 10-15 g
• Fat: 80-90 g
• Carbohydrates: 250-280 g

Ingredients

• 1 package lemon-flavored cake mix
• 1 can (21 ounces) lemon pie filling
• 1/2 cup melted butter (unsalted)
• Optional toppings: confectioners’ sugar (serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream)

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

Start by spraying your baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

This will ensure that your dessert doesn’t stick to the dish and makes for an easy cleanup.

Step 2: Add the Lemon Pie Filling

Use a spatula to add your lemon pie filling into the prepared baking dish.

Spread the pie filling evenly into a single layer, ensuring it’s distributed uniformly across the bottom of the dish.

Step 3: Add the Cake Mix and Butter

Sprinkle your cake mix evenly on top of the lemon pie filling.

Drizzle the melted butter over the top of the cake mix.

There is no need to mix—the butter will help the cake mix form a golden-brown crust as it cooks.

Step 4: Cook Until Golden

Place the prepared pan into the air fryer basket or oven.

Set the temperature to 310 degrees F and cook for 12 to 15 minutes.

Monitor the dessert until the cake turns golden brown on top.

Serve warm as a delightful treat with or without your favorite topping.