Craving brownies? Learn How to Make Brownies with an Air Fryer

Brownies are a popular dessert, and you can easily make them at home using an air fryer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to bake brownies in an air fryer—come and give it a try!

How to Bake Brownies in an Air Fryer

Ingredients:

Dark Chocolate: 100g (choose one with a high cocoa content for a richer chocolate flavor)

Butter: 80g (good-quality butter will make the brownies richer and more flavorful)

Granulated Sugar: 60g (adjust the amount to your preferred sweetness level)

Eggs: 2 (room temperature eggs mix better with other ingredients)

All-purpose Flour: 60g (this will give the brownies a soft texture)

Cocoa Powder: 20g (to enhance the chocolate flavor)

Salt: 1g (basic seasoning to enhance flavor and add depth)

Chopped Nuts: Optional (you can use walnuts, almonds, or any other nuts you like to add texture. Skip if you don't want any nuts.)

Steps:

Melt the Chocolate and Butter:

Cut the butter and dark chocolate into small pieces and place them in a heatproof bowl. Melt them together using a double boiler method, stirring constantly until the mixture becomes smooth and silky. Be sure to heat it on low to prevent the chocolate and butter from burning.

Mix Sugar and Eggs:

In another bowl, add the granulated sugar to the beaten eggs. Stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Don’t stir too vigorously to avoid creating too many bubbles in the egg mixture.

Combine Chocolate Sauce and Egg Mixture:

Slowly pour the melted chocolate and butter mixture into the egg mixture, stirring gently as you pour to combine everything smoothly into a chocolate egg mixture.

Sift the Dry Ingredients:

Sift the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and salt into the chocolate egg mixture. Use a spatula to fold everything together gently, being careful not to overmix, as that can affect the texture of the brownies.

Add Nuts:

If you're using nuts, fold them into the batter now. Give the batter a light stir to distribute the nuts evenly (skip this step if you’re not using nuts).

Prepare the Air Fryer:

Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Pour the brownie batter into the air fryer basket and use a spatula to spread it out evenly.

Bake:

Preheat the air fryer to 160°C (320°F) for 3-5 minutes. Set the air fryer to 160°C (320°F) and bake the brownies for 18-20 minutes. The exact time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so keep an eye on the brownies. When the surface starts to puff up slightly, insert a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean or with only a few crumbs attached, the brownies are ready.

How long to cook brownies in air fryer?

Baking brownies in an air fryer typically takes 18-25 minutes, depending on the power of your air fryer and the thickness of the brownies.

For best results, I preheat the air fryer to 160°C-180°C (320°F-350°F) and adjust the time based on the size of the brownies.

Baking Tips:

Temperature Control: Start by baking at 160°C (320°F) for about 15 minutes, then check the doneness. If the center is still moist, add another 5-10 minutes.

Check for Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies. If it comes out with just a few moist crumbs (not batter), the brownies are done.

Choose the Right Pan: Small pans or cups work best as they shorten the baking time and make it easier to control the doneness.

3-Ingredient Air Fryer Brownies

This recipe is perfect for beginners, requiring only 100g of chocolate, 50g of butter, and 2 eggs. It's super simple—here’s how to make them:

Melt the Chocolate and Butter:

Cut 100g of chocolate and 50g of butter into small pieces and melt them together in a double boiler until smooth.

Add the Eggs:

Beat 2 eggs and stir them into the melted chocolate mixture until well combined.

Pour Into a Mold:

Pour the brownie batter into a mold. You can line the mold with baking paper to prevent sticking and smooth out the surface.

Bake:

Preheat the air fryer to 160°C-180°C (320°F-350°F). Bake the brownies for 20-25 minutes, depending on their size. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning.

Enjoy:

Once baked, let them cool before serving. Brownies can be enjoyed with milk or topped with blueberries.

Tips:

If you like your brownies sweeter, add a little extra sugar.

It’s normal for the center to be moist. Don’t overbake them or they may become dry and hard.

What temperature do you bake brownies at?

For an air fryer, 160°C-180°C (320°F-350°F) is the ideal temperature range.

Why This Temperature Works:

160°C helps form a crispy outer layer while ensuring the inside is cooked evenly, preventing the outside from burning before the inside is done.

If you want a quicker bake or have a larger batch, 180°C will give you a crispier exterior while keeping the inside moist.

Adjust Based on Ingredients:

If your batter is thick or contains a lot of chocolate, reduce the temperature to 150°C-155°C and bake a little longer to avoid burning the outside while leaving the inside undercooked.

For smaller batches or if you like a crispier crust, you can increase the temperature to 165°C-180°C, but watch carefully to prevent overbaking.

Adjust Based on Your Air Fryer:

Different air fryer models vary in power and performance. High-powered air fryers may work well at 150°C-155°C, while smaller models may require 165°C-180°C or higher.

What not to do when baking brownies?

Overmixing the Batter:

Brownie batter doesn’t need to be perfectly smooth. Overmixing makes the batter dense and the brownies dry and hard. Mix until the dry ingredients are incorporated, and it’s okay if there are a few lumps.

Overbaking:

Don’t bake brownies too long, or they’ll dry out. Typically, 15-25 minutes should be enough based on the size and thickness of your brownies.

Setting the Temperature Too High:

Brownies should be baked at a relatively low temperature (160°C-180°C) to ensure a crisp exterior and moist interior. A higher temperature can burn the outside while leaving the inside raw.

Using the Wrong Mold:

The mold is important. Use a smaller pan or cup for more even cooking. A larger pan may lead to uneven cooking, leaving the center undercooked.

Cutting Too Soon:

Let the brownies cool before cutting. Cutting them too early will cause them to crumble. Waiting ensures the brownies hold their shape and look neat.

Ignoring Ingredient Quality:

The quality of your chocolate and butter affects the final taste. Choose high-quality chocolate and unsalted butter for richer, more flavorful brownies.

What is the difference between air fry and bake mode?

Working Principle:

Air Fryer: Uses "high-speed air circulation technology" to produce hot air, which is then circulated quickly to create a crispy outer layer.

Oven: Uses top and bottom heating elements and convection to evenly distribute heat.

Cooking Results:

Air Fryer: Best for quick cooking. The high heat makes foods crisp, perfect for items like fries and chicken wings. However, the circulating hot air may dry out the inside.

Oven: Better for slow baking, keeping the food moist and preserving nutrients, making it ideal for cakes, bread, and roasted meats and vegetables.

Usage Scenarios:

Air Fryer: Compact and easy to use, ideal for small portions and quick meals. It’s great for reheating or fast cooking.

Oven: Larger capacity, ideal for family meals or when cooking in bulk.

Cleaning and Maintenance:

Air Fryer: Generally easy to clean with detachable parts.

Oven: Larger and more cumbersome to clean, though some models feature self-cleaning functions.

Suitable Foods:

Air Fryer: Best for oily foods like chicken wings or ribs, as it allows excess fat to be drained.

Oven: Better for foods that need to retain moisture, such as cakes, bread, or roasted vegetables.