You know those mornings when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to turn on the big oven? That’s exactly why I fell in love with making Air Fryer Cherry Almond Muffins. These little beauties come together in minutes and fill your kitchen with the most incredible aroma – sweet cherries, toasted almonds, and just a hint of vanilla. The air fryer gives them this perfect golden crust while keeping the insides wonderfully moist. I make them so often now that my family expects them with Sunday coffee. Best part? No waiting for the oven to preheat – just mix, air fry, and enjoy warm muffins in under 20 minutes!

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Cherry Almond Muffins

Trust me, these muffins will become your new go-to for three perfect reasons:

Faster than your coffee brews: From bowl to table in under 20 minutes – no oven preheating!
Moist crumb every time: The air fryer’s magic gives that golden crust while keeping centers bakery-soft.
Just sweet enough: Tart cherries balance the sugar, and almonds add that satisfying crunch.
Almost no cleanup: One bowl, no messy muffin tins – just pop those liners out and you’re done!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Cherry Almond Muffins

Gathering your ingredients is the easiest part of this recipe – I bet you have most in your pantry already! Here’s what you’ll need:

Dry Team: 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Team: 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter (cooled slightly), 1/4 cup milk (any kind), 1 large egg, 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
The Stars: 1/2 cup chopped cherries (fresh or frozen, pitted), 1/4 cup sliced almonds (not crushed – we want those pretty flakes!)

See? Nothing fancy – just good, simple ingredients that create magic together.

Ingredient Substitutions & Notes

No stress if you need to swap things! Almond flour works beautifully for gluten-free (use 1:1 ratio). Honey instead of sugar? Reduce milk by 1 tbsp. Out of milk? Yogurt or even orange juice adds nice tang. One golden rule: mix batter just until combined – overmixing makes tough muffins. And always pat those cherries dry if frozen!

How to Make Air Fryer Cherry Almond Muffins

Ready to whip up the easiest muffins of your life? Here’s how it all comes together – just follow these simple steps and you’ll be biting into warm, cherry-studded goodness before you know it!

Preheat that air fryer! Set it to 350°F (175°C) – this takes about 3 minutes in most models. (Trust me, skipping this is why some muffins bake unevenly.)
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl – flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Give it a quick whisk to banish any lumps.
Whisk wet ingredients in another bowl – melted butter (not hot!), milk, egg, and vanilla. Pour this into the dry ingredients and stir gently – lumps are fine!
Fold in the goodies – cherries and almonds. Don’t overmix! The batter should be thick but scoopable.
Grease your muffin cups really well (I use butter or nonstick spray) and divide the batter evenly. Fill about 3/4 full – they’ll rise beautifully.
Air fry for 10-12 minutes – check at 10! They’re done when tops spring back when lightly pressed. Let cool 5 minutes before devouring.

Pro Tips for Perfect Muffins

Want bakery-level results every time? Here are my hard-earned secrets:

Grease like you mean it – those edges love to stick! A pastry brush helps get into crevices.
Use an ice cream scoop for even batter distribution – no lopsided muffins!
Resist peeking before 10 minutes – that blast of cold air causes sinking.
Cool completely if storing – condensation makes soggy tops otherwise.

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Cherry Almond Muffins

Oh, the ways you can enjoy these little gems! My absolute favorite is still-warm with my morning coffee – that cherry-almond flavor just sings with a dark roast. For dessert? Crumble one over vanilla ice cream (trust me!). A sprinkle of extra toasted almonds makes them extra special for brunch too.

Storing and Reheating

These muffins disappear fast at my house, but when we miraculously have leftovers, here’s how I keep them perfect: store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temp for up to 3 days. Freeze extras wrapped tightly in foil – they’ll stay fresh for months! To revive that just-baked warmth, pop them in the air fryer at 300°F for 2 minutes – the almonds get all toasty again and the centers turn gloriously soft.

Air Fryer Cherry Almond Muffins FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got answers from all my trial-and-error batches!

Can I use frozen cherries?
Absolutely! Just thaw and pat them super dry first – excess moisture makes gummy muffins. I actually keep a bag of frozen cherries just for this recipe.

Why did my muffins deflate?
Oh honey, we’ve all been there! Usually means either: 1) you peeked too early (that cold air shock!), 2) overmixed the batter (stop when just combined!), or 3) your baking powder’s past its prime.

Can I skip the almonds?
Sure – but they add such lovely crunch! If allergic, try toasted oats or even sunflower seeds for texture.

Why 350°F and not higher?
Higher temps brown tops too fast before centers cook. The air fryer’s intense heat needs this “low and slow” approach for even baking. Understanding food safety temperatures is key when cooking.

Nutritional Information

Here’s the scoop on what’s in these tasty muffins (but remember – values are estimates and can vary based on your specific ingredients and brands):

Calories: 180 per muffin
Fat: 8g (4g saturated)
Carbs: 25g (1g fiber, 12g sugar)
Protein: 3g

Not bad for such a satisfying treat, right?

Final Thoughts

There you have it – my foolproof recipe for the most delicious Air Fryer Cherry Almond Muffins! I can’t wait for you to try them and see how easy and rewarding air fryer baking can be. When you do, snap a photo and tag me – nothing makes me happier than seeing your muffin masterpieces!

Irresistible Air Fryer Cherry Almond Muffins in 20 Minutes

Author: Ella Parker
Total Time: 22 minutes
Yield: 6 muffins 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Easy and delicious air fryer muffins with cherries and almonds.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup milk
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped cherries
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Add melted butter, milk, egg, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
Fold in cherries and almonds.
Divide batter into greased muffin cups.
Air fry for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
Let cool before serving.

Notes

Use fresh or frozen cherries.
Adjust sugar based on sweetness preference.
Check muffins early to avoid overbaking.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 muffin
Calories: 180
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: air fryer, cherry muffins, almond muffins, easy dessert