Welcome to the ultimate guide for making a truly delightful Instant Pot Angel Food Cake! Imagine a cake so incredibly fluffy, so light, and completely fat-free, baked right in your pressure cooker. This recipe isn’t just easy; it’s a guaranteed showstopper that will become a beloved dessert in your home. Get ready to experience the magic of pressure-cooked perfection!
I recently whipped up this Instant Pot Angel Food Cake, and the results were simply spectacular—a cloud-like texture that vanished almost instantly when my family arrived home. It quickly became the highlight of our after-school treats. This recipe stands out as one of my absolute favorites among all the Instant Pot recipes I’ve shared here on The Typical Mom. (Note: Affiliate links may be present in this content.)
Why Make Angel Food Cake in Your Instant Pot?
Angel food cake holds a special place in my heart, often reminding me of my Grandma’s thoughtful birthday tradition. Beyond the nostalgia, its fat-free nature makes it a guilt-free indulgence, perfect for enjoying an extra slice whenever the craving strikes.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. You can use virtually any brand of pressure cooker you own – be it an Instant Pot, a Crockpot Express, or a Ninja Foodi (just ensure you use the pressure cooking lid, not the air fryer lid for Ninja Foodi models). The consistent, moist heat provided by a pressure cooker creates an incredibly delicate and airy cake that’s hard to achieve with traditional oven baking, especially for busy weeknights.
Essential Tips for Instant Pot Baking Success
For those new to the world of pressure cooking, or even seasoned pros looking for baking tips, here are a few foundational guidelines to help you achieve perfect results every time:
- Make sure to Bookmark our Instant Pot recipes page. We consistently add new and exciting dishes each week, so you’ll always find fresh inspiration!
- Consider printing this indispensable Instant Pot cooking times cheat sheet. It’s an invaluable tool for understanding how long various meats, vegetables, and beans take to cook in your pressure cooker, helping you master meal prep.
- I wholeheartedly recommend investing in this non-stick inner pot for your Instant Pot. It significantly reduces the chances of food sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- While you should always know how to deglaze your pressure cooker after sautéing, a good non-stick liner minimizes potential issues and scorched spots.
For your reference, I primarily use a 6-quart Instant Pot for all my recipe development and testing. This size is versatile and perfect for most family-sized meals and desserts.
Ingredients for Your Fluffy Instant Pot Angel Food Cake
I’ve ventured into many Instant Pot dessert recipes over the years, but this angel food cake recipe truly stands out for its simplicity and the warm memories it evokes. The ingredient list is minimal, allowing the delicate flavor and ethereal texture to shine.
- Angel Food Cake Mix: You’ll need one box of your favorite angel food cake mix. This is the brand I typically use. If your mix includes a separate pouch of dry egg whites, make sure to combine it thoroughly with the rest of the dry ingredients as per package instructions before proceeding.
- 7-inch Angel Food Cake Pan: This specific pan is crucial for achieving the characteristic angel food cake shape and texture in your Instant Pot. A 7-inch tube pan fits perfectly in most 6-quart Instant Pots. If a 7-inch pan is unavailable, a 6-inch pan will also work in a 6-quart model, or an 8-inch pan if you have an 8-quart pressure cooker.
- Water for the Pressure Cooker: A cup and a half of water for the bottom of the Instant Pot is essential to create the steam needed to cook your cake.
- Water for the Cake Mix: The amount specified on your cake mix box, or as detailed in our recipe instructions below (typically around 3/4 cup).
- Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker: As mentioned, any brand will do, provided it has a pressure cooking function. The model shown above is the one I use.
- Optional Toppings:
- Raspberry Jam: Approximately 1/4 cup, gently warmed for an easy drizzle. I prefer whole fruit varieties for a richer flavor and texture.
- Whipped Cream and/or Powdered Sugar: Classic toppings that add an extra layer of sweetness and elegance to your cake. Fresh berries are also a fantastic addition!
You’ll need a large mixing bowl to whip your cake batter until it’s light and fluffy. Don’t forget aluminum foil to cover your cake pan during cooking. Just look at how stunningly beautiful this cake turns out! It truly is my all-time favorite dessert.
Crafting Your 7-Inch Angel Food Cake: The Recipe Details
Observe the incredible fluffiness of this cake! It took me a couple of attempts to perfect the timing, but I was determined to crack the code for pressure cooker angel food cake. Initially, my Instant Pot was reserved solely for savory meals. However, after successfully making an amazing Instant Pot coffee cake in a 6-inch bundt pan, an exciting realization hit me: with the right bakeware, almost any cake could be made in the Instant Pot!
For a delightful touch of color and an extra burst of flavor, I like to gently warm some raspberry jam and drizzle it generously over the top. This simple addition elevates the fat-free cake to a new level of deliciousness.
- One standard box of angel food cake mix is actually enough to make two Instant Pot angel food cakes. This recipe details how to make one cake, utilizing half of the box.
If you wish to make two cakes, simply double the ingredients for the batter (using the entire box of mix) and cook them one after the other. It’s that straightforward! Below, you’ll find a video demonstrating the entire process, ensuring you can follow along with ease.
Unmolding Your Instant Pot Angel Food Cake
The unique design of an angel food cake pan makes unmolding surprisingly simple. Once the cake has cooled, you’ll notice how the middle section of the pan, which acts as a tube, allows the cake to gently lift off the sides after a quick loosening with a knife. Then, you carefully loosen the bottom from the pan, and the cake should slide off onto your fingers or a plate without the need for non-stick spray. This method preserves the delicate texture and appearance of your beautifully baked cake. Gently transfer it to a serving plate and get ready to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Angel Food Cake
Absolutely! Baking angel food cake in a pressure cooker like the Instant Pot is not only possible but yields an incredibly moist and fluffy result. The key is to use a 7-inch or 8-inch tube pan that fits comfortably inside your pressure cooker. Using a standard boxed mix, you’ll typically divide the batter in half, allowing you to create two perfectly sized angel food cakes from one box. This is ideal for making smaller batches, perfect for serving 4-6 people without excess.
Angel food cake relies heavily on whipped egg whites for its rise. If your cake isn’t rising, ensure your mixing bowl and whisk are perfectly clean and free of any grease, which can inhibit the egg whites from whipping properly. Also, do not grease your angel food cake pan; the batter needs to “climb” the sides as it bakes. Overmixing can also deflate the batter, so mix until just combined and fluffy.
You need a tube pan, specifically an angel food cake pan, with a removable bottom. A 7-inch pan is usually ideal for a 6-quart Instant Pot, while an 8-inch pan might fit in an 8-quart model. These pans allow for even heat distribution and easier unmolding of the delicate cake.
Once your Instant Pot comes to pressure, the cook time for angel food cake is typically around 27 minutes on high pressure. This is followed by a slow release of pressure, which is crucial for maintaining the cake’s structure and preventing it from collapsing.
For those eager to explore more, here are a few other delightful angel food cake recipes to enjoy, each offering a unique twist on this classic:
- Indulge in the seasonal flavors of Pumpkin Angel Food Cake.
- For chocolate lovers, our Chocolate Angel Food Cake is an absolute must-try!
- Experience a tropical escape with this refreshing Pineapple Angel Food Cake recipe.
I also maintain a comprehensive list of diverse angel food cake mix recipes, providing endless inspiration for your next baking adventure!
Boxed Angel Food Cake in Instant Pot: Step-by-Step Guide
Here are the simplified, quick directions to make your Instant Pot Angel Food Cake. A detailed, printable recipe card with all measurements and full instructions is provided below for your convenience. Remember, a single box of cake mix yields two cakes, so these instructions are for one delicious cake!
- Prepare the Batter: Take half of your angel food cake mix box, which typically measures about 1.5 cups. Transfer this dry mix into a large mixing bowl.
- Add Water: Combine the dry cake mix with 1/2 cup of water and an additional 1/8 cup of water. We list these separately because an 1/8 cup measuring spoon isn’t always standard; you can simply use your 1/4 cup measure and fill it halfway.
- Whip the Batter: Using an electric mixer, beat the water and angel food cake mix on high speed for approximately one minute, or until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and resembles a meringue-like consistency. This step is crucial for the cake’s airy texture.
- Prepare the Pan: IMPORTANT: Do NOT grease your angel food cake pan. The batter needs to cling to the sides of the pan as it rises, which greasing would prevent. Spoon the prepared cake mixture carefully into your 7-inch angel food cake pan and cover the top tightly with aluminum foil.
- Set Up the Instant Pot: Place a trivet or a small heat-safe glass bowl at the bottom of your Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Pour about 1.5 cups of water around the trivet or bowl. This water will create the steam necessary to cook your cake evenly.
- Place the Cake: Gently lower your foil-covered cake pan onto the trivet inside the Instant Pot. Ensure it’s stable and not touching the water directly.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid of your Instant Pot and set the steam release valve to the sealed position. Select the Manual or Pressure Cook setting, and set it to HIGH pressure for a cook time of 27 minutes.
- Slow Release: Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a slow release of pressure. To do this, gently turn the steam release valve slightly to allow steam to escape very slowly. This gradual release helps prevent the cake from deflating.
- Remove the Cake: Once all pressure has been released and the float valve drops, carefully lift the lid away from you. Quickly remove the lid to prevent any condensation from dripping onto your foil-covered cake.
- Cooling: Carefully lift your cake pan out of the Instant Pot using oven mitts or a sling and place it on a wire cooling rack. Remove the aluminum foil and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan. Angel food cake is best unmolded when fully cooled.
- Unmold and Serve: Once cooled, use a thin knife or offset spatula to gently loosen the cake from the outer sides of the pan. Push up gently on the bottom of the pan and pull up on the middle metal tube to lift the cake out. Use your knife again to carefully loosen the cake from the bottom rim and the middle stem so it slides off cleanly. Place your beautiful cake onto a serving plate. Enjoy it plain, or add a delightful drizzle of melted raspberry jam, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar. All are absolutely delicious!
Remember, one box of angel food cake mix conveniently yields two separate Instant Pot angel food cakes, making it easy to enjoy twice the deliciousness!
Instant Pot Angel Food Cake
Justine
5 mins
27 mins
32 mins
6
Comment
Print Recipe
Equipment
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1 pressure cooker
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1 Instant Pot angel food cake pan
Ingredients
- 1.5 c Angel Food Cake Mix (half of one box)
- 1.5 c water, for bottom of Instant Pot
- 1/2 c water, for mix
- 1/8 c water, for mix
- Optional: Raspberry jam, whipped cream, or powdered sugar for topping
Instructions
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Use half of your angel food cake mix box (approximately 1.5 cups) and place it into a large mixing bowl.
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Combine the cake mix with 1/2 cup of water and an additional 1/8 cup of water. (If you don’t have an 1/8 cup measuring cup, simply fill your 1/4 cup halfway).
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Using an electric mixer, beat the water and angel food cake mix on high for about one minute, or until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, resembling meringue.
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Do NOT grease your pan. The non-stick properties of the pan are sufficient, and not greasing allows the cake batter to “creep up” the sides as it rises. Spoon the fluffy mixture into your 7-inch angel food cake pan and cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.
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Place a trivet or a small, heat-safe glass bowl at the bottom of your Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Pour approximately 1.5 cups of water around it. This creates the steam bath for your cake.
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Carefully place your foil-covered cake pan on the trivet inside the Instant Pot.
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Close the Instant Pot lid and ensure the steam release valve is set to the sealed position.
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Set your Instant Pot to Manual (or Pressure Cook) on HIGH pressure for 27 minutes.
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Once cooking is complete, perform a slow release of pressure. Gently turn the steam valve slightly to allow the steam to escape very slowly and gradually.
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Once all pressure is released, lift the lid off quickly, angled away from you, to prevent any accumulated water from dripping onto your foil.
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Carefully lift your cake pan out of the Instant Pot and transfer it to a cooling rack.
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Remove the foil and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on the rack before attempting to unmold it.
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To unmold: Use a thin knife to gently loosen the cake from the outer sides of the pan. Push up gently on the bottom piece of the pan and pull up on the middle metal piece to lift the cake out. Use the knife again to loosen the cake from the bottom rim and the middle stem so it slides off cleanly.
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Place the cake on a serving plate and enjoy! For extra flavor, add a drizzle of melted raspberry jam or a dollop of whipped cream – it’s truly delicious.
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Note: One standard box of angel food cake mix will make two Instant Pot angel food cakes, so you can repeat the process for a second cake!
Video
A video demonstration of this Instant Pot Angel Food Cake recipe is available to guide you through each step for perfect results.
Nutrition
Serving:
4 oz
,
Calories:
216 kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
50 g
,
Protein:
3 g
,
Sodium:
490 mg
,
Potassium:
53 mg
,
Sugar:
36 g
,
Calcium:
92 mg
,
Iron:
0.2 mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Dessert
American
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