Impress your guests this festive season with a rich and beautifully spiced Christmas cake, all made in the air fryer! Ideal for saving oven space, this recipe is packed with dried fruits, warm spices, and a touch of festive flavour. Perfect for gifting, sharing, or enjoying with a cup of tea by the tree.

Air Fryer Christmas Cake Steps:

Prep Time: 20mins | Cook Time: 2hrs 30mins

1. Place the dried fruit, mixed peel, and spice into a bowl. Add brandy (or your chosen alternative), orange zest, juice, and golden syrup. Stir to combine, cover, and leave to soak overnight at room temperature.
2. Line the base of a 20cm air fryer basket with greaseproof paper and butter the sides. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time and mix well. Fold in the flour and ground almonds before stirring in the soaked fruit mixture.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 140°C. Spoon the mixture into the tin and smooth the top. Cook for 2 hours and 30 minutes. Check on it throughout the cook - if the top begins to brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil. Test with a skewer — there should be no raw batter. 
4. Let the cake cool fully in the tin. If using alcohol, pierce the surface with a skewer and drizzle a little brandy or rum on top. For a non-alcoholic version, skip this step or lightly brush with orange or apple juice. Wrap well in parchment and foil and store in a cool place. For a deeper flavour, ‘feed’ the cake every two weeks with a small drizzle of your chosen liquid.