Air Fryer Brownies
Air fryer brownies are a small-batch bake: enough for six generous squares, with no need to heat a full-size oven. Melted dark chocolate and butter give a fudgy middle, and the hot air sets a thin, crackly top in 25 minutes at 160°C. The tin has to fit your basket, so this recipe uses a 15cm square tin. Then comes the hard part, which is waiting an hour for them to set before you cut.
- Total
- 1 h 43 min
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 28 min
- Serves
- 6
- Per serving
- 450kcal
Before you start: air fryer brownies
A square or round tin that sits in the basket with a gap around it is the one piece of kit that matters. Check yours before you start, because many tins sold for ovens are too big. Use good dark chocolate, as it is the main flavour, and unsalted butter so you control the salt.
The hot air in the basket sets the surface quickly, so the middle stays soft while the edges firm up. That is why the baking time is short and why the brownies must cool before cutting.
The method for air fryer brownies
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the tin Lightly grease the tin and line the base and sides with a strip of baking paper, leaving a little paper sticking out of two sides so you can lift the brownies out later. Heat the air fryer to 160°C for .
- Melt the chocolate Put the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl and melt them in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, or in a saucepan over the lowest heat. Stir until smooth and glossy, then leave for to cool a little.
- Whisk the eggs In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar for until thick, pale and leaving a trail when you lift the whisk. Pour in the cooled chocolate mixture and stir to combine.
- Fold in the dry ingredients Sift the flour, cocoa powder and salt over the bowl. Fold gently with a spatula until no streaks of flour remain, then fold in the chocolate chips. Stop as soon as it is mixed, because overworking makes the brownies cakey.
- Air fry Scrape the batter into the tin, level the top and lower the tin into the basket. Cook at 160°C for , until the top is set and a skewer pushed into the middle comes out with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter.
- Cool and cut Leave the brownies in the tin for , then lift them out on the paper and cool on a wire rack for more. Cut into 6 squares with a sharp knife, wiping the blade between cuts.
Serving and variations
Serve the squares warm with vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of crème fraîche and a few raspberries, or leave them to go fully cold for the fudgiest texture. Swap the chocolate chips for chopped walnuts or pecans, or swirl a tablespoon of smooth peanut butter over the top before baking.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Brownies
- The edges are dry and dark but the middle is still liquid.
- The tin is too close to the heating element or the batter is too deep. Use a tin no larger than your basket allows, and if the top browns early, cover it loosely with foil for the last 5–8 minutes.
- The brownies are cakey rather than fudgy.
- The batter was overmixed or baked for too long. Fold just until the flour disappears and start checking at 22 minutes, because brownies carry on setting as they cool.
- The brownies fall apart when you cut them.
- They are still warm. Chill them in the fridge for 30 minutes if you are in a hurry, and cut with a hot, wiped knife.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Brownies
How long do you cook brownies in the air fryer?
About 25 minutes at 160°C in a 15cm tin, after a 3-minute preheat. A skewer should come out with a few moist crumbs on it.
Can I use a bigger tin?
Only if it leaves a gap of at least 2cm around the sides, so air can circulate. A thinner layer in a bigger tin bakes faster, so check it after 15 minutes.
How long do the brownies keep?
Up to 4 days in an airtight container at room temperature, or up to 3 months in the freezer, wrapped in squares. Defrost them overnight in the fridge.
Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?
Yes, but the brownies will be sweeter and softer, so cut the sugar to 100g. Use milk chocolate chips only if you like a very sweet bake.
How did you like the recipe?
4.8 / 5 · 57 ratings
