I don’t know about you, but some days, I just need chocolate. And I don’t mean waiting forever for the oven to preheat or making a giant mess in the kitchen. Nope—I need quick, easy, and fudgy. That’s why I love Air Fry Cakes, Air Fryer Baking Recipes, and pretty much all things Air Fryer Desserts. They’re fast, delicious, and way less hassle than traditional baking.
If you’ve ever wondered “Can I really bake a cake in an air fryer?” or “How to bake in an air fryer without messing it up?”—the answer is yes and yes! Whether you’ve got a Ninja Air Fryer, a brand-new Air Fryer Oven, or just love trying new air fryer recipes, you’re gonna love this.
So, let’s skip the oven drama and make some fudgy, chocolate-packed Air Fryer Brownies in 15 minutes flat! Because if there’s one thing I know as a mom of three—it’s that when the craving hits, you don’t have time to wait!
What You Need
Chances are, you already have these in your pantry:
- ½ cup melted butter (real butter, y’all, no margarine here)
- 1 cup sugar (sweet tooth approved!)
- 2 eggs (room temp is best, but let’s be real, I never remember to do that)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (the good stuff if you have it)
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened, not the fancy hot cocoa mix)
- ½ cup flour (just regular all-purpose)
- ¼ tsp salt (because salt makes chocolate taste better)
- ¼ tsp baking powder (so they don’t turn into chocolate bricks)
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional but also not really optional)
How to Make Air Fryer Brownies
1. Prep Your Pan & Air Fryer
First, grab a 6-inch cake pan (or any air fryer-safe baking dish). Grease it up with butter or line it with parchment paper so you don’t have to scrape brownie bits out later.
Now, preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for about 3 minutes. Some air fryers don’t even need preheating, but I like to just in case.
2. Mix Up the Batter
This part’s easy:
- In a bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until it looks kinda creamy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla and stir until smooth.
- Now, dump in the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir it up until it’s a thick, chocolatey batter.
- Fold in the chocolate chips (because duh).
3. Pour & Bake
- Pour that gorgeous batter into your greased/lined pan.
- Pop it in the air fryer and set the timer for 14-16 minutes at 320°F.
- At 14 minutes, check with a toothpick. If it comes out with just a few moist crumbs, it’s perfect! If it’s still super wet, give it another 1-2 minutes.
4. Cool (Or At Least Try To)
Now comes the hardest part—waiting. These brownies will be super gooey when they come out, but they’ll firm up as they cool. Let them sit for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
But if you happen to dig in early and end up with melty, half-baked brownie goodness… well, I won’t judge.
FAQs About Air Fryer Brownies
Can You Really Bake a Cake in an Air Fryer?
Yep! Whether it’s brownies, cupcakes, or full-sized Air Fryer Cakes, the air fryer works just like a mini oven—just faster! It circulates hot air around your dessert, baking it evenly while keeping it moist inside.
How Long Does It Take to Bake Brownies in an Air Fryer?
Only about 14-16 minutes at 320°F (160°C). Traditional oven brownies take at least 30-40 minutes, so this is a serious time-saver. Plus, no waiting for the oven to preheat!
What Kind of Pan Should I Use?
For air fryer baking, you’ll need a 6-inch cake pan, a small baking dish, or silicone molds that fit inside your air fryer basket. If you’ve got a Ninja Air Fryer or Air Fryer Oven, you might be able to fit a slightly bigger pan.
How Do I Make These Brownies Extra Fudgy?
Don’t overbake! Pull them out when the center is just set. They’ll continue to cook a bit as they cool.
Add extra chocolate chips—because more chocolate is never a bad idea.
Use real butter instead of oil for a richer, fudgier texture.
Can I Make This in Any Air Fryer?
Yep! Whether you have a Ninja Air Fryer, Cosori, Instant Pot Air Fryer, or another brand, the method is the same. Just make sure your pan fits inside!
Air Fryer Brownies Recipe Card
Air Fryer Brownies
Ingredients
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ½ cup chocolate chips optional, but highly recommended!
Instructions
Prep Your Pan & Air Fryer
- Use a 6-inch cake pan or any air fryer-safe dish. Grease it or line with parchment paper.
- Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for 3 minutes.
Mix the Batter
- In a bowl, whisk butter and sugar together.
- Add eggs and vanilla, stirring until smooth.
- Stir in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder until combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
Bake in Air Fryer
- Pour batter into the pan and smooth the top.
- Air fry at 320°F for 14-16 minutes.
- Check at 14 minutes—brownies should be set with a slightly gooey center.
Cool & Enjoy
- Let brownies cool for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
- Serve warm with ice cream, whipped cream, or just as they are!
Notes
- For extra fudgy brownies – Take them out slightly underbaked.
- Want crispy edges? – Use a thinner pan so more batter touches the sides.
- Store leftovers – Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days or reheat in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 300°F.
And if brownies aren’t your thing (wait, who even are you?! ), don’t stop here! There are so many Air Fry Cake Recipes out there—think chocolate cake, mug cakes, even cheesecakes—all baked right in the air fryer. If you’re wondering How To Bake In Air Fryer or looking for New Air Fryer Recipes, trust me, once you start, you won’t stop. Air Fry Cakes, Air Fryer Sweets, and even full Cakes In The Air Fryer? Yep, totally possible, totally delicious.
So if you haven’t tried Air Fryer Baking Recipes yet, this is your sign. Whether you’ve got a **Ninja Air Fryer, a different brand, or just a deep love for Easy Desserts In Air Fryer, get in there and start baking. Because honestly? Bake A Cake In Air Fryer once, and you’ll never wanna go back to the oven.
Now go enjoy those brownies, hide a piece from the kids (I won’t tell ), and let me know if you try any other Airfryer Cake Recipes!
