Bring a burst of celebration to your dessert table with these festive Firework Cupcakes! Soft, fluffy, and topped with colorful frosting in red, white, and blue, they’re the perfect treat for patriotic holidays, birthdays, or any occasion worth celebrating.

With their eye-catching design and irresistible flavor, these cupcakes are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Why the Air Fryer a Perfect Way of Preparing Firework Cupcakes
Using the air fryer for cupcakes might sound unconventional, but it’s a game changer. The air fryer provides consistent heat distribution and requires no preheating, which helps achieve moist, evenly baked cupcakes faster than traditional methods.
It’s especially helpful when baking small batches or keeping your kitchen cool in warmer months.
PRO TIPS for the Best Firework Cupcakes
- Room temperature ingredients make a smoother, more even batter.
- Don’t overfill the liners—stick to ½ to ⅔ full to avoid overflow.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant frosting shades that won’t alter the texture.
- Chill your piping bags for 10–15 minutes for sharper, more defined “firework” lines.

Personalising the Recipe
Feel free to swap in different color themes for other holidays or events—think pastels for Easter, green and red for Christmas, or school colors for graduation parties. You can also add citrus zest or almond extract to the batter for a flavor twist. The base recipe is wonderfully adaptable.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- Unsalted butter, softened – adds richness and moist texture
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Sour cream – for tenderness and depth of flavor
- Milk
- Vanilla
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
For the Frosting
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla
- Salt
- Milk
- Royal Blue gel food coloring
- Super Red gel food coloring
- Silver star sprinkles

Firework Cupcakes RECIPE
Preheat the air fryer to 300°F or your oven to 350°F. Line muffin tins with cupcake liners and set aside.
In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar together until smooth and creamy.
Add eggs, sour cream, milk, and vanilla. Mix well, scraping down the sides.
Gradually add in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Mix until just combined, then beat for another minute on medium speed.
Scoop batter into liners, filling halfway to two-thirds full.

Air fry in batches for 10–12 minutes or bake in the oven for 14–16 minutes, until the centers are set. Cool completely before frosting.

To make the frosting, beat butter, half of the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Add remaining sugar and milk, then beat until fluffy—2–3 minutes.
Divide frosting into three bowls. Color one red, one blue, and leave one white. Let the colors develop.

Pipe the frosting in rings—start with blue on the outer edge, white in the middle, and red in the center.



Sprinkle with silver stars to finish.
Methods of Baking
- Air Fryer: Bake 4–6 cupcakes at a time at 300°F for 10–12 minutes. Perfect for small batches and fast results.
- Oven: Bake all at once at 350°F for 14–16 minutes. Great for large gatherings or full batches.
Different Methods of Serving
- Top with sparklers (unlit) or festive cupcake toppers.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla or berry ice cream.
- Pair with lemonade or fruit punch at your summer party.
How to Store Leftovers
Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture. You can also freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to a month.
Firework Cupcakes FAQs
Can I make the cupcakes in advance?
Yes, bake the cupcakes a day ahead and frost them just before serving.
What if I don’t have gel food coloring?
You can use liquid coloring, but the colors may be less vibrant, and the frosting may be slightly thinner.
Can I use this recipe for a cake instead?
Absolutely! Use the same batter for a 9×13 cake and adjust the baking time to 30–35 minutes.

Firework Cupcakes Recipe
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3½ cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Frosting:
- 1 cups unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 – 3 milk
- Red and blue gel food coloring
- Silver star sprinkles
Whether you’re hosting a Fourth of July picnic or just want to brighten someone’s day, these Firework Cupcakes bring bold color and big flavor. The combination of a soft, fluffy base and fun piped frosting makes them as enjoyable to make as they are to eat.
More cupcake recipes on the blog
Carrot Top Cupcake
Healthy Protein Cupcake
Rasberry Lemon Ricotta Cupcake
About the Author
I am Seun, and I love to share my first-hand experience using multiple air fryers. Stick around for yummy delicacies made from the air fryer and many amazing tips on using your newfound Kitchen appliance – the air fryer!