Supercharge ASP.NET Core Performance: Caching in Minimal APIs

Introduction to Caching in ASP.NET Core Minimal APIs

John: Hey everyone, welcome back to the blog! Today, we’re diving into how to implement caching in ASP.NET Core minimal APIs. If you’re building fast, efficient web services, caching is like that secret ingredient that speeds everything up without overcomplicating your code. I’ve been following the latest trends, and with .NET updates rolling out, there’s some exciting stuff happening in 2025. Lila, as our resident curious beginner, what sparked your interest in this?

Lila: Hi John! I’ve been tinkering with minimal APIs for a small project, but my app feels sluggish when fetching data repeatedly. Caching sounds like a fix, but where do I even start? Can you break it down for someone like me who’s not a pro yet?

John: Absolutely, Lila. Let’s start simple. Caching stores frequently used data temporarily so your app doesn’t have to query the database or compute things every time. In ASP.NET Core minimal APIs, which are lightweight and perfect for microservices, you can implement in-memory caching, distributed caching like Redis, or even hybrid options. If you’re automating workflows around your APIs, our deep-dive on Make.com covers features, pricing, and use cases in plain English—worth a look for streamlining integrations: Make.com (formerly Integromat) — Features, Pricing, Reviews, Use Cases.

The Basics of Caching in ASP.NET Core

John: Okay, let’s get into the fundamentals. ASP.NET Core provides built-in support for caching through interfaces like IMemoryCache for in-memory storage and IDistributedCache for scalable setups. According to recent tutorials from InfoWorld, published just a few days ago on September 8, 2025, you can boost performance in minimal APIs using response caching, output caching, or hybrid caching. The key is to add services in your Program.cs file—like builder.Services.AddMemoryCache()—and then inject it into your endpoints.

Lila: That sounds straightforward, but what’s the difference between in-memory and distributed caching? And how do I actually code it?

John: Great question! In-memory caching keeps data right in your app’s memory, which is super fast but doesn’t scale across multiple servers. Distributed caching, like with Redis, stores data externally so all instances of your app can access it. For a minimal API, you’d start by installing packages. For example, for Redis, add Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.StackExchangeRedis via NuGet. Then, in your endpoint, use something like this:

app.MapGet("/data", async (IMemoryCache cache) => {
    if (!cache.TryGetValue("cachedData", out string data)) {
        data = await FetchData(); // Your data source
        cache.Set("cachedData", data, TimeSpan.FromMinutes(5));
    }
    return data;
});

John: This is from a Medium article by Hansini Perera from August 2025, which gives a quick guide to implementing these in Core APIs. It’s all about reducing load times—think of it like keeping your coffee hot in a thermos instead of brewing a new pot every time.

Key Features and Types of Caching

Lila: Cool analogy! What are the main types I should know about for 2025 trends?

John: From what I’ve seen in recent posts, like one from Md Asraful Islam on Medium in February 2025, the big ones are:

• In-Memory Caching: Uses IMemoryCache for quick, app-local storage. Ideal for small apps.
• Response Caching: Caches entire HTTP responses based on headers, great for APIs with static outputs.
• Distributed Caching with Redis: Scales horizontally; a September 2024 Medium piece by Sabit Kose (still relevant in 2025 discussions) shows how to set it up in minimal APIs.
• Hybrid Caching: New in .NET 9, as detailed in Stefan Đokić’s January 2025 article. It combines in-memory and distributed for the best of both worlds.
• Output Caching: Built-in since .NET 7, enhanced in .NET 8/9. A May 2024 Medium post explains it for APIs, and it’s trending for performance tweaks.

John: These features help with scalability. For instance, hybrid caching in .NET 9 automatically falls back to distributed if in-memory misses, which is a game-changer for high-traffic apps.

Current Developments and Trends in 2025

Lila: With .NET evolving, what’s new this year? Any trending tutorials or tools?

John: Definitely! A July 2025 Medium article by Hamid Musayev introduces a reusable memory cache attribute—super handy for decorating endpoints without repetitive code. It’s like sprinkling caching magic with [MemoryCache(duration: 300)]. On the trends side, InfoWorld’s latest piece from three days ago highlights how minimal APIs are leaning into hybrid caching for better performance in cloud environments. I’ve also spotted verified X accounts like @dotnet discussing .NET 9 previews, emphasizing caching for AI-driven APIs, where quick data access is crucial.

John: Another trend is integrating caching with tools like EasyCaching, as covered in a 2022 DEV Community post that’s still foundational but updated in 2025 contexts. Reputable sources like ASPToday in March 2025 provide comprehensive guides on strategies from in-memory to distributed, noting a 20-50% performance boost in real-world apps.

Lila: Wow, that sounds promising. But are there challenges, like when caching goes wrong?

Challenges and Best Practices

John: Absolutely, caching isn’t foolproof. One big challenge is cache invalidation—knowing when to refresh stale data. If you cache user profiles and someone updates theirs, you need mechanisms like cache tags or expiration policies. A November 2024 Medium article by Adem Korkmaz dives into this for .NET 8, warning about over-caching leading to memory bloat.

Lila: How do I avoid that?

John: Use sliding or absolute expiration. For example, cache.Set(key, value, new MemoryCacheEntryOptions { SlidingExpiration = TimeSpan.FromMinutes(10) });. Best practices from Richard Nwonah’s October 2024 post include monitoring cache hits with tools like Application Insights and starting small—test in-memory first before going distributed. Also, secure your cache; Redis needs proper auth to prevent data leaks.

Future Potential and Implementation Tips

Lila: Looking ahead, where is this headed? And any step-by-step for a beginner?

John: The future looks bright with .NET 10 rumors on X from verified accounts like @ScottHanselman, pointing to even smarter caching with AI predictive loading. For now, in 2025, focus on hybrid for scalability. Here’s a quick step-by-step for minimal APIs:

1. Install packages: dotnet add package Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.Memory
2. Add services: builder.Services.AddMemoryCache();
3. Inject and use in endpoints as I showed earlier.
4. For Redis: Add StackExchange.Redis and configure connection strings.

John: Check Berfim Korkmaz’s January 2025 Medium guide for beginners—it’s beginner-friendly with code snippets. If you’re building automated pipelines, that Make.com review I mentioned earlier could help integrate your cached APIs seamlessly.

FAQs: Common Questions Answered

Lila: Before we wrap, can you tackle some FAQs?

John: Sure! What’s the easiest caching to start with? In-memory—it’s built-in and quick. How does output caching differ? It caches the full response, including headers, as per a .NET 8 article from May 2024. Is Redis free? The open-source version is, but managed services like Azure Cache for Redis have costs. Always test for your use case!

John: Reflecting on this, caching in ASP.NET Core minimal APIs is all about making your apps snappier and more efficient—it’s evolved a lot in 2025 with hybrid options leading the way. If you’re starting out, experiment with in-memory first; the performance gains are rewarding without much hassle.

Lila: Thanks, John! My takeaway is that caching is like a turbo boost for APIs—start simple, scale as needed, and always watch for invalidation pitfalls. Can’t wait to try it!

This article was created based on publicly available, verified sources. References:

• How to implement caching in ASP.NET Core minimal APIs | InfoWorld
• Caching in ASP.NET Core: Response Caching, Memory Cache, and Redis | by Hansini Perera | Aug, 2025 | Medium
• Supercharge Your ASP.NET Core APIs with a Reusable Memory Cache Attribute | by Hamid Musayev | Medium
• Exploring Caching Techniques in ASP.NET Core: From Memory to Hybrid | by Md Asraful Islam | Medium
• HybridCache in ASP.NET Core — .NET 9 | by Stefan Đokić | Medium
• Caching in ASP.NET Core: A Guide to In-Memory Cache and Redis for Beginners | by Berfim Korkmaz | Medium
• Distributed Caching With Redis And ASP.NET Core Minimal APIs | by Sabit Kose | Medium
• Caching in ASP.NET MVC (.NET 8): A Deep Dive | by Adem KORKMAZ | Medium
• Caching Strategies in ASP.NET Core Web API: Giving Your API a Superpower! | by Richard Nwonah | Medium