These super easy air fryer brownies from scratch are soft, fudgy, and rich with chocolate, with a thin, shiny crust on top. I love that the air fryer gives these brownies a beautifully fudgy texture from edge to edge, and the combination of semi-sweet chocolate and cocoa makes them deeply chocolatey without needing a long list of ingredients.
Can you make brownies in an air fryer? The answer is yes, and this is such a fun way to bake them. I also like that you can pause during baking to help the center stay fudgy instead of letting the edges cook too quickly. If you enjoy chocolate brownies, you might also like this Homemade Chocolate Eclairs Recipe. Keep reading to see how to get that shiny top and fudgy center.
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Video Instructions
Try This Super Easy Air Fryer Brownies from Scratch Recipe
For me, brownies are all about the texture. I want a soft, fudgy center with a thin, crinkly top, and these air fryer brownies give you exactly that.
The extra step of removing the pan halfway through baking and letting it rest for 5 minutes helps the heat settle before the brownies go back into the air fryer. They need a little patience, but the result is worth it when you cut into that fudgy center.
Why You’ll Love It
- Rich chocolate flavor: Semi-sweet chocolate and unsweetened cocoa give these brownies plenty of chocolate flavor.
- Fudgy from edge to edge: The short resting period during baking helps keep the texture soft and fudgy.
- Shiny, crinkly top: Whisking the eggs and sugar until frothy helps create that thin crust.
- Simple ingredients: You only need eight ingredients to make the brownie batter.
- Air fryer friendly: The brownies bake in an 8-inch pan that fits into the air fryer basket.
Ingredients
- Semi-sweet chocolate: I like using semi-sweet chocolate with around 50–65% cocoa content. The chocolate you choose makes a noticeable difference because its flavor comes through in the finished brownies.
- Unsalted butter: Butter adds richness to the batter, and European-style butter with a higher fat content can help encourage a shiny crust.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Since there is no baking soda or baking powder in the batter, you can use either natural or Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Eggs: Whisking the eggs with the sugar until they become frothy and bubbly helps create the thin, shiny layer on top of the brownies.
How to Make Super Easy Air Fryer Brownies from Scratch
1. Line the inside of a baking pan with parchment paper and wrap the outside with aluminum foil to create some sort of handles for the pan.
2. Melt the chocolate and butter until combined and smooth. Then, stir in the cocoa and let sit for 5 minutes.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, and vanilla until frothy and bubbly.
4. Add the warm chocolate mixture and whisk until combined. Then, add the flour and salt and whisk just to incorporate.
5. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Transfer to the air fryer and bake.
6. You know when it's done when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out slightly dirty with a few moist crumbs attached.
7. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Cut the cooled brownies with a long, sharp knife. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Recipe Tips
- Whisk the eggs and sugar until they are properly frothy and bubbly. This helps the sugar dissolve and contributes to the shiny crust.
- Have all your ingredients measured and ready before you begin so the chocolate mixture does not sit and cool for too long.
- Keep an eye on the chocolate while melting it. If you use a microwave, stir every 15–20 seconds to prevent it from seizing.
- Don't skip the 5-minute resting period during baking. It gives the heat a chance to distribute more evenly through the brownies.
- Wrap the outside of the pan with aluminum foil to create simple handles and make lifting the pan easier.
Tip: If you love peanut butter, you can also make my peanut butter brownies in the air fryer.
What Can You Serve With This?
- Vanilla ice cream: The cold, creamy ice cream is a simple match for warm chocolate brownies.
- Fresh berries: Strawberries or raspberries add a fresh contrast to the rich chocolate.
- Whipped cream: A little whipped cream keeps the serving light while adding extra creaminess.
- Caramel sauce: Drizzle a little caramel over the brownies for a richer dessert.
- Fresh fruit: Sliced bananas or strawberries work well alongside fudgy brownies.
FAQs
Semi-sweet chocolate with around 50–65% cocoa content works well here. Baking chocolate or a chocolate bar that you enjoy eating gives the brownies a better chocolate flavor.
You can melt chocolate chips, but the texture may be drier. Chocolate bars or baking chocolate are preferred for the texture of these brownies.
Overbaking can make brownies less fudgy. These brownies are baked in two stages with a 5-minute rest between them, and the toothpick should come out slightly dirty with a few moist crumbs rather than completely clean.
Whisk the eggs and sugar until they are frothy and bubbly before adding the warm chocolate mixture. This helps the sugar dissolve and creates the thin, shiny layer on top.
Recipe
Super Easy Air Fryer Brownies From Scratch
Ingredients
- 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate bars, chopped
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Line the inside of an 8-inch (20cm) baking pan with parchment paper and wrap the outside of the pan with aluminum foil to create some sort of handles for the pan. This makes it easier to lift the brownies in and out of the air fryer basket. (See photos in post above for visual guidance.) Set aside.
- Preheat the air fryer to 325°F (163°C). In a heat-proof bowl, melt the chocolate and butter until combined and smooth. Make sure that the chocolate doesn't get too hot too quickly. If you're using a microwave, then stir every 15-20 seconds to prevent the chocolate from seizing. Then, stir in the cocoa and let sit for 5 minutes.
- In the meantime, whisk the eggs, sugar, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl until frothy and bubbly, about 3-5 minutes. Add the warm chocolate mixture and whisk until combined. Then, add the flour and salt and whisk just to incorporate.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Place the pan in the preheated air fryer and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the air fryer and let it sit on the kitchen counter for 5 minutes.
- Return the pan to the air fryer and bake for another 10-15 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out slightly dirty with a few moist crumbs attached. Let cool completely. Cut the cooled brownies with a long, sharp knife. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
Cooking Time and Temperature
Bake the brownies at 325°F (163°C) for 15 minutes, rest for 5 minutes, then bake for another 10–15 minutes.Taste & Texture
These brownies are rich and fudgy with a soft center and a thin, shiny, crinkly crust.Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving Recommendations
- With ice cream: Serve a brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple dessert.
- With caramel sauce: Drizzle caramel sauce over the brownies before serving for extra sweetness.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Natural or Dutch-processed cocoa: Either type of unsweetened cocoa powder works in this recipe.
- Different pan size: For a 6-inch (15cm) pan, divide the recipe in half.
Proper Storage Tips
- Store the cooled brownies in an airtight container.
- Keep them at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- For longer storage, freeze the brownies for up to 3 months.
Pro Tips
- Use chocolate that you would happily eat on its own because its flavor comes through in the brownies.
- Whisk the eggs, sugar, and vanilla until frothy and bubbly to help create the shiny crust.
- Don't let the melted chocolate cool for too long before adding it to the bubbly egg mixture.
- Let the brownies cool completely before cutting for cleaner slices.
Video
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