Air Fryer Christmas Dump Cake
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Every spoonful of Air Fryer Christmas Dump Cake gives you cheerful, comforting flavor with sweet cranberries and tart apples turning soft and juicy under a golden, buttery topping that crisps at the edges. It smells amazing while the air fryer makes it hands-off and simple, and it disappears fast once you serve it.
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I make it for Christmas, holiday parties, and potlucks every December when I need a simple but festive shareable dessert. It feeds a crowd easily, travels well, and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for family gatherings. Leftovers stay fresh in the fridge for 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Christmas Dump Cake with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Follow my simple instructions below, and you’ll see this easy dump cake recipe comes together more quickly than you’d expect.
Prepare the Fruit Base
Add the cranberry sauce and apple pie filling to a 9×13 baking dish. The cranberry sauce adds tartness and that deep red color, while the apple pie filling brings sweetness and texture. Sprinkle a pinch of sugar and salt over the fruit to balance the flavors.
Make the Cake Crumbles
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix with the chopped walnuts and melted butter using a fork or pastry cutter so the mixture develops a gentle crunch, or use spice cake mix or white cake mix if you want a different flavor.
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Walking Taco Casserole
∙ Chocolate Cake Cookies
...and much more!
Stir until the cake mix starts to form crumbles rather than staying powdery. The butter coats the dry mix and helps it bake into those crispy, golden pieces everyone loves. If you prefer pecans, they work just as well as walnuts here.
Top the Fruit
Spread the cake mix crumbles evenly over the cranberry and apple layer using a silicone spatula. Don’t press the crumbles down, as they need a little space to crisp up in the air fryer.
Air Fry the Dump Cake
Place the baking dish in your air fryer and bake at 160°C (320°F) for 25 minutes. Dump cakes are always delicious served hot, cold, or at room temperature! The top should turn golden brown, and the fruit filling will bubble up around the edges. If your air fryer runs hot, check it around the 20-minute mark to avoid burning the crumbles.
Serve and Enjoy
Let the dump cake cool for about 5 minutes before serving. I like to scoop it into bowls while it’s still warm because that’s when the fruit filling and cake crumbles taste their best. The warm, cozy texture makes every bite feel extra festive and comforting. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces can whole cranberry sauce
- 21 ounces can apple pie filling
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 4 ounces butter melted
- ½ cup walnuts or pecans chopped
Instructions
- Add the cranberry sauce and apple pie filling into a 9×13 baking dish and sprinkle with sugar and salt.16 ounces can whole cranberry sauce, 21 ounces can apple pie filling
- In a medium bowl, combine cake mix, walnuts and melted butter with a fork until the cake mix begins to form crumbles.1 box yellow cake mix, 4 ounces butter, ½ cup walnuts or pecans
- Spread the cake mix crumbles evenly over the fruit and fillings.
- Bake in the air fryer at 160ºC (320°F) for 25 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Add spice: Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg over the fruit layer before adding the cake crumbles for extra warmth and flavor.
- Use cold butter for chunkier crumbles: If you want bigger, chunkier pieces instead of fine crumbles, cut cold butter into the cake mix with a pastry cutter instead of using melted butter.
- Swap the nuts: Pecans work just as well as walnuts, or leave them out entirely if you have a nut allergy. The cake will still crisp up without them.
- Check your air fryer size: A 9×13 baking dish might not fit in smaller air fryers. Use an 8×8 or 9×9 dish and reduce the baking time to 18 to 20 minutes if needed.
- Flash freeze for easier storage: Freeze individual portions on a baking sheet for 1 hour before transferring to freezer containers so they don’t stick together and you can grab single servings later.
- Reheat in the air fryer: Microwave reheating works but makes the topping soggy, so use the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for 3 to 5 minutes to bring back the crispiness.
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Walking Taco Casserole
∙ Chocolate Cake Cookies
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
If you have leftovers, you can easily store your Christmas dump cakes for later, just like you would with other air fryer dump cakes. Once it cools, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The fruit stays soft, and the topping keeps some of its texture.
To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave or gently heat them in the oven so the topping doesn’t soften too much.
For longer storage, freeze portions tightly wrapped in plastic or aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the oven to bring back its cozy, just-baked warmth.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Christmas Dump Cake
I usually serve it with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream because it melts into the warm fruit and creates the perfect contrast. Whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce also works if you want something lighter.
It pairs well with hot coffee or spiced cider after a heavy Christmas dinner. If you’re serving it at a potluck, bring the ice cream on the side so people can add their own.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
If you’re looking for new air fryer recipe ideas, here are some of my top picks.
- Air Fryer Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookies
- Air Fryer Peach Cobbler
- Air Fryer Biscuits and Gravy Casserole
- Air Fryer Chicken Divan
- Air Fryer Cornbread Casserole
About the Author
Hey there! I’m Mandy
Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.
She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.
She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.
