How to Bake a Cake without an Oven – 4 Easy Ways

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If you’ve ever wondered how to bake a cake without an oven, or if it is even possible, you’re in the right place. Whether you are baking a cake in a slow cooker, microwave, in a skillet, or in an air fryer, there are options for everyone!

Making a cake without an oven may require some extra planning and ingenuity, but it’s definitely achievable. Whether it is our favorite pig pickin’ cake, tornado cake, or one of our many poke cakes, you can make it happen!

The first step is to determine which method you’re going to use to bake the cake. There are a few different methods that you can try that will produce a delicious cake, like stovetop baking, steaming, and slow cooker baking. 

Once you’ve chosen a method, you’ll need to think about what ingredients and equipment you’ll need to start baking. Depending on the type of cake you’re making, you may need to make some adjustments with either the dry or wet ingredients, such as adding extra liquid or a higher fat content for a moister cake.

You will also need to make sure you have the correct size baking pan for your method. Baking cakes without an oven is usually easier if you reduce the size of the pan, convert it to cupcakes, or cut the recipe in half.

When your ovenless cake is ready to be made, you’ll need to pay attention to the cook times, as they can differ from what you’d expect from using an oven. Make sure to keep an eye on the cake during the cooking process, and test its doneness with a toothpick to make sure it’s cooked through. 

Baking might not seem possible without a regular oven, but you can do great things with these other methods! 

How to Bake a Cake Without an Oven

Grab your favorite cake recipes and choose the method that works for you! 

1. Slow Cooker Cake

This simple cake baking option doesn’t require a cake pan, you’ll pour your cake batter right into the slow cooker. The slow cooker makes delicious cakes!

Step 1: Grease the inside of a slow cooker with cooking spray or butter. 

Step 2: Combine your cake ingredients in a large bowl. 

Step 3: Pour the cake batter into the slow cooker and spread it out evenly. 

Step 4: Close the lid and set it to low heat. Cook for an hour or until the cake is cooked through. 

Step 5: Check the cake with a toothpick or knife to make sure it is cooked through. 

Step 6: Remove the cake from the slow cooker and let it cool before serving. 

2. Mug Cake 

Mug cakes are so fun and easy! Any mug cake recipe will do although this blueberry mug cake is a favorite, all you need is a microwave to get the job done!

Step 1: Grease the inside of a large mug with cooking spray or butter. 

Step 2: Combine your cake ingredients in the mug. 

Step 3: Stir until the ingredients are fully combined and the batter is smooth. 

Step 4: Cook the mug cake in the microwave for 2 minutes and 30 seconds at high power. 

Step 5: Check the cake with a toothpick or knife to make sure it is cooked through. 

Step 6: Let the cake cool and then serve. 

3. Skillet Cake

Cooking a cake in a cast iron skillet on the stove top is actually a really easy and tasty method. It creates a crusty outside and soft and fluffy inside! It’s an easy way to get your cake made without an oven. 

Step 1: Grease the inside of a large skillet with cooking spray or butter. 

Step 2: Combine your cake ingredients in a large bowl. 

Step 3: Pour the cake batter into the skillet and spread it out evenly. 

Step 4: Place the skillet over medium-high heat on the stove. Cook for 15 minutes or until the cake is cooked through. 

Step 5: Check the cake with a toothpick or knife to make sure it is cooked through. 

Step 6: Let the cake cool before serving. 

4. Air Fryer Cake

This method only works if you have the right kind of air fryer. A basket air fryer won’t do the job, you’ll need an air fryer that has other functions like bake, broil, etc. You can cook your air fryer cake on the air fry setting or the bake setting. 

Step 1: Find a pan size that fits your air fryer and grease the sides of the pan with cooking spray or butter. 

Step 2: Combine your cake ingredients in a large bowl. 

Step 3: Pour the cake batter into a small pan and spread it out evenly. 

Step 4: Put the pan in the air fryer and close the lid and set the temperature to 350°F. Cook for 15 minutes or until the cake is cooked through. 

Step 5: Check the cake with a toothpick or knife to make sure it is cooked through. 

Step 6: Let the cake cool before serving.

Tips for Cooking Cakes Using Any of These Methods

• If you’re using a cake recipe that is made for a regular oven, you may need to adjust the cooking time. Keep an eye on your cake and when in doubt, cook for longer at a lower temperature rather than faster at higher temperatures. 
• A large pan will typically not work for cooking methods that don’t involve an oven. You can still get excellent results by splitting your delectable cake batter into two cakes or cutting the recipe by half. 
• If you don’t have a cast iron skillet for the skillet cooking method, make sure you use good quality skillet that will not promote sticking. 

Baking a yummy cake without an oven is 100% achievable! With a little creativity and careful attention to detail and a bit of time to figure out your process, you can make a fantastic and greater than ordinary cake without ever turning on the oven.

No matter what method you choose, you’ll be able to make a warm and delicious cake for any occasion. So get your ingredients ready and start baking!