Air Fryer Muffins are the perfect breakfast treat. They are easy and quick to make and super delicious. You can use this recipe as a basic vanilla muffin recipe and add any add-ins like chocolate chips, blueberries, or bananas.
These simple muffins are the perfect choice for busy mornings on the run as well as relaxed brunch weekends. They are very popular with my family and disappear in minutes. By the way, have you tried my air fryer french toast?

Jump to:
- Why are my muffins deformed and didn’t rise properly?
- Can silicone muffin cups be used in an air fryer?
- Can you use paper muffin cups in an air fryer?
- Can I bake them in the oven as well?
- Which air fryer setting should I use?
- How long will they last
- Can I freeze them?
- Variations
- Different muffin recipes to try in the air fryer
- Photo tutorial
- More air fryer recipes to try
- Recipe
Why are my muffins deformed and didn’t rise properly?
Some air fryer models blow the air directly on top of the muffin tops causing them to form a crust too early and therefore come out deformed (e.g., only rise on one side, and batter flows out of the liners - as shown in the picture below).

To avoid this, you could try to arrange them in the basket so that the air does not blow directly on them. For example, place them along the sides of the basket to avoid the center if your air fryer has a hot spot in the center.
Other than that, you can top the muffins with coarse sugar or streusel topping to delay the formation of a crust, which results in well-risen muffin tops.
Can silicone muffin cups be used in an air fryer?
Yes, absolutely. Any baking mold, no matter the material, designed for baking in the oven that can withstand heat up to 400°F (204°C), is perfectly safe to use in the air fryer.
Can you use paper muffin cups in an air fryer?
You can certainly use paper muffin liners in the silicone muffin cups, but not on their own, unless they are specially designed for baking muffins without a pan and do not lose their shape when baking.
Regular white paper liners are too weak to hold the hot muffin batter in shape without the silicone cups, which causes the batter to run out of the liners.
Can I bake them in the oven as well?
Sure! Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a muffin pan or silicone muffin cups with about 8 paper liners and fill the muffin batter into the liners until almost full. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 5 minutes. Then, leaving the oven door closed, lower the heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for another 11 to 13 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
Which air fryer setting should I use?
Depending on the air fryer model, you may have different settings to choose from. It doesn't matter which setting you use as they are just presets with a suggested temperature and time. Whichever setting you choose, the only two things that matter are time and temperature. The time and temperature recommendations can be found in the recipe card at the end of this article.
How long will they last
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they will stay fresh and soft for up to 4 days. Depending on whether you add add-ins, you may want to keep them in the refrigerator and the shelf life can be shortened to as little as 2 days (e.g. if you add fresh fruit).

Can I freeze them?
Yes. Tightly wrap the muffins in plastic wrap individually and place them in a freezer-safe storage bag or container. You can freeze them for up to 3 months. To thaw, unwrap, and let sit on the counter for 1-2 hours.
Variations
This vanilla muffin recipe is the perfect base for all of your favorite add-ins. I want to point out that you don't have to add anything as they are super delicious with no add-ins or toppings. However, if you'd prefer to add extra flavors, here are some of my favorites that passed my family's taste test:
- Banana Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Blueberry Muffins
Instructions for all three variations can be found in the recipe card below. Feel free to experiment with different flavors and mix-ins to suit your taste!
Different muffin recipes to try in the air fryer
You can bake any muffin recipe you love in the air fryer. Here are some of my favorite muffin recipes that I love making in the air fryer.
Photo tutorial
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside. In another large mixing bowl, whisk together the butter and oil until combined. Then whisk in the egg to combine. Add the buttermilk, sour cream, and vanilla and stir to combine. Whisk in the sugar until well combined.

Add the flour mixture and whisk just to combine. Fold in the banana chunks, chocolate chips, or blueberries, if you like.

Spoon the batter into the prepared silicone cups until almost full and top with your favorite toppings if desired.

Bake in the air fryer, then let cool and enjoy!

More air fryer recipes to try
If you like to cook and bake with your air fryer, you've come to the right place. Try the following recipes, all of which I specifically designed for the air fryer.
- Air Fryer Banana Bread
- Air Fryer French Toast
- Air Fryer Donuts
- Air Fryer Vanilla Cake
- Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
- Air Fryer Pizza
- Air Fryer Hamburgers
Recipe

How to Make Air Fryer Muffins
Ingredients
Basic Vanilla Muffins
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoon mild vegetable or canola oil
- 1 large egg
- â…“ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sugar
Optional variation: Banana Muffins
- replace sour cream with mashed bananas 1:1
- 1 large banana, chopped
Optional variation: Chocolate Chip Muffins
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoon coarse sugar for topping
Optional variation: Blueberry Muffins
- ½ cup blueberries, fresh or thawed
- streusel topping*
Instructions
- Line about 8 silicone muffin cups with paper liners and set aside.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside.
- In another large mixing bowl, whisk together the butter and oil until combined. Then whisk in the egg to combine. Add the buttermilk, sour cream, and vanilla and stir to combine. Whisk in the sugar until well combined for about 1 minute. Add the flour mixture and whisk just to combine. Fold in the banana chunks, chocolate chips, or blueberries, if you like.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared silicone cups until almost full. Top with coarse sugar or streusel topping if desired.
- Bake at 400°F (204°C) for 4 minutes. Then, leaving the air fryer basket closed, lower the heat to 325°F (163°C) and bake for another 11 to 13 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the silicone cups for 5 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days**.
Notes
Video
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