Air Fryer Brownies (super quick, easy, and fudgy!)
These air fryer brownies are perfect if you can’t imagine heating up the house by turning on the oven or if you just don’t need a whole batch of brownies. They’re perfectly fudgy and gooey and made so easily in the air fryer. Can be made traditionally or gluten-free and dairy-free.
I just posted another brownie recipe, these Eggless Brownies, but I still wanted to get these posted ASAP for the people who are dealing with the heat and can’t bear the thought of turning on the oven.
If that’s you, you also need to check out my Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies. They have the best texture! I’ve also got these Paleo Air Fryer Cookies, which is an absolutely perfect paleo conversion.
And to all my paleo friends, you only have to wait until Wednesday to get your very own Air Fryer Paleo Brownies!
Today’s recipe uses a 6” round pan, which fits perfectly in air fryers. It’s a third batch of my second most popular recipe, these Gluten-free Brownies, but if you’re not gluten-free, don’t run away!
You can also use all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour. What you see in the photos is actually whole wheat flour.
Each version tastes the same! The whole wheat version doesn’t taste cardboardy and the gluten-free version isn’t gritty, chalky or any of the nasty adjectives that can describe some gluten-free desserts (but not mine ;))
Ingredients
Just normal brownie ingredients here!
- Flour – you’ve got some options here. The brownies in the photos were made with whole wheat flour, but I’ve also tested them with all-purpose flour and Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-free 1-to-1 Baking Flour for a delicious gluten-free option. Each version is just as delicious. And they all look the same.
- Cocoa powder – I made these air fryer brownies using Dutch-process cocoa powder. If you don’t have that, Hershey’s Special Dark is a good sub. If you want to use natural cocoa powder (the regular Hershey’s kind), then the brownies could be a bit cakier. I can’t say for sure, though, as I haven’t tried it out.
- Coconut oil or butter – I used refined coconut oil because I like my brownies without any coconut taste. If you don’t mind it, feel free to use unrefined. Butter also works great, but be sure to keep a closer eye on the brownies because they’ll dry out more quickly.
- Granulated sugar or coconut sugar – if you don’t want to use either, you need to use a granulated sugar, not a liquid one. I don’t recommend trying to make these brownies sugar-free unless you have a sugar-free sub that you’ve used often that works perfectly in place of granulated sugar.
- Egg – I haven’t had luck using egg substitutes in the original, full recipe, which calls for 3 eggs. If you need them to be vegan, I recommend making my Paleo Vegan Brownies instead. They’re super gooey and chocolaty, and if you chill them, they’re like fudge! Just take a look at the photos and you’ll see. They’ll please even the pickiest of brownie connoisseurs, and no one will know they’re healthy.
- Chocolate chips, optional – You don’t have to use these. The brownies are sweet and delicious enough without, but melty chocolate is always a nice addition.
- Vanilla and salt
How to make air fryer brownies
- Make the brownie batter and pour it into a prepared pan.
- Add the chocolate chips on top.
- Preheat the air fryer to 340 °F (170 °C).
- Bake until the brownies have formed a thin crust and appear set in the middle.
- Cool completely and serve.
- Do not overmix! Overmixing causes too much air to be incorporated into the brownies, which leads to a change in texture.
- Testing doneness with a toothpick: a toothpick inserted into the center will come out wet with these air fryer brownies. A toothpick inserted into the sides will come out with some moist crumbs on it, but not totally raw batter. The brownies will continue to bake as they sit in the pan and will firm up as they cool.
- You can store these brownies at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also refrigerate them to give them a fudgier texture.
Pan size
If you don’t have a 6” (15cm) round pan, you have options.
First, you can use something else with an area of 28 square inches (177 square cm). If it’s larger than that, you need to take the brownies out earlier.
If it’s smaller, check anyway after 14 minutes, and then keep a close eye on them until they’re ready.
Your other option is to use ramekins or other small air fryer-safe dishes or molds. In almost all air fryers, you can use anything made of glass, ceramic, metal or silicone. Be sure to check your exact model, though!
You can also use silicone or paper cupcake cups or molds to bake muffins or small gratins. If it can be used in a regular oven, then you won’t have any problems using it in the air fryer (except for aluminum foil).
So use what you have! Just keep an eye on them to determine the time for your next batch of air fryer brownies.
Baking time
Baking times can really vary by quite a bit in air fryers. Much more so than in ovens.
I actually forgot about this when I sent the photographer the directions for this recipe. The brownies in the photos are a bit overdone. They should be much gooier!
And I should have increased the range of baking time to reflect differences in air fryers (which I have done in the recipe below).
On top of that, the color of the pan you use plays an important role. If you bake brownies in a dark or glass pan, they will radiate more heat and bake more quickly than lighter, shinier aluminum pans.
The most important recommendation I have is to stay close to the air fryer and check it frequently until they’re done.
Brownies, unlike cheesecake, will not crack or get ruined if you open the door too early, so don’t worry, just check as often as necessary to avoid burnt brownies.
I suggest taking note of the time it takes to bake these perfect air fryer brownies, just so you can relax more the next time you bake them.
What air fryer I used
In the photos, you see the Ninja Max XL Air Fryer.
These brownies will work in the Ninja SP101 Foodi 8-in-1 Digital Air Fry, as well. I happen to love this air fryer because it does just about everything. It preheats in minutes, and it makes life easier on hot summer days.
Don’t have an air fryer?
No problem! These brownies aren’t only for the air fryer; you can bake them in a conventional oven just as easily.
Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Bake for 10-14 minutes. When the middle is no longer jiggly, it’s done!
These brownie recipes can also be made in an air fryer! Either make 1/3 of the batch or bake in batches, since you’ll likely only be able to fit a 6″ pan into your air fryer.
- These Almond Flour Brownies are super easy to make and are gooey and just as delicious as traditional brownies, but made with almond flour. They can easily be made paleo and dairy-free.
- These Coconut Flour Brownies are rich and fudgy! They’re also paleo, grain-free and dairy-free. Plus, they’re topped with a chocolate fudge frosting that makes them an extra special treat.
- Looking for a boozy brownie? These Baileys Irish Cream Brownies are rich and full of Baileys flavor! They can be made with whole wheat, all-purpose or buckwheat flour for a gluten-free version.
If you want to use a different type of flour, check out the different brownie recipes listed above.
No, but they might not be as chocolaty, or they might be cakier. But I will say that nobody has had any complaints about these brownies, and I know people have used regular cocoa powder. So I’m guessing they’re fine with whatever cocoa powder you want to use.
Those are the only ones that I’ve tried in this recipe. I’m betting anything would work, though, since liquid oil like canola oil and olive oil work as well as butter and ghee.
Not if you use refined coconut oil. They taste 100% like regular, super gooey traditional brownies. If you use unrefined, then yes, there will be some coconut taste.
I used extra-virgin olive oil, and you can definitely taste it. My husband LOVED this version but I didn’t. I recommend using light-tasting olive oil or something more neutral.
Subbing in a liquid sweetener, unfortunately, won’t work. There’s no liquid to reduce to make up for the added liquid, so it’d make the brownies cakey or possibly a liquidy mess. Other granulated sweeteners like maple sugar would likely work.
You could probably reduce it a little, but don’t be surprised if they don’t have the perfect texture you see in the photos.
Egg replacers don’t work in this recipe. I know because I spent 5 years trying to make it egg-free. I would instead recommend making my Eggless Brownie Recipe. You just need a third of that recipe and luckily, it thirds easily, especially if you use a scale!
Yes, but you’d need to make them in 2 batches. If you double the recipe and just pour everything into a small pan, they won’t cook fully.
If you try these air fryer brownies, I’d love to hear how they come out!
Please share your feedback by leaving a ✍️review and ⭐ rating – it helps me and others! I would really appreciate it. 🩷
Air Fryer Brownies (super quick, easy, and fudgy!)
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup (42 grams) flour see notes
- 1/4 cup (29 grams) Dutch-process cocoa powder sifted if lumpy
- 1/16 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup + 2 teaspoons (65 grams) coconut oil or unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg 50 grams, out of shell
- 1/4 cup (43 grams) chocolate chips + mini chips to sprinkle on top
Instructions
- Line a 6″ circular cake pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.1/3 cup (42 grams) flour, 1/4 cup (29 grams) Dutch-process cocoa powder, 1/16 teaspoon salt
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the melted oil, sugar, and vanilla extract. Once combined, add the egg and stir just until combined.1/4 cup + 2 teaspoons (65 grams) coconut oil, 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 large egg
- Add the dry mixture to the wet and stir just until almost no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix! Fold in 1/4 cup chocolate chips (ignore the quantity below – it's a technical issue I can't fix).1/4 cup (43 grams) chocolate chips
- Preheat the air fryer to 340 °F (170 °C).
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top (ignore the quantity below – it's a technical issue I can't fix). Bake for 10-14 minutes or until the brownies have formed a thin crust and appear set in the middle. A toothpick inserted into the center will come out wet. A toothpick inserted into the sides will come out with some moist crumbs on it, but not totally raw batter. The brownies will continue to bake as they sit in the pan and will firm up as they cool.1/4 cup (43 grams) chocolate chips
- Let cool completely and then cover and store at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also refrigerate them (for up to a week) to give them a fudgier texture.
Notes
- For the flour, you can use whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour or for gluten-free, use 1/3 cup (46 grams) Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-free Baking Mix.
- If you’re dairy-free, make sure to use coconut oil and not butter.
- The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator. This recipe yields 4-6 servings. The nutritional info was calculated based on 6 servings.
I was sceptical because I thought my air fryer might burn the brownies and make them cakey/spongey, which I don’t like. I cooked on 160 for 15 minutes and after cooling, refrigerated over night. They came out SO fudgey and delicious and I immediately made a second batch! Yum!
Oh, yay! I’m so glad that you enjoyed them. And I love that you made a second batch right away. :) Sounds like something I’d do. :D Thanks so much for your feedback!
First time making dessert in an air fryer and I’m super impressed with how quick and easy these brownies are to make in the air fryer. I had the time, so I actually made 3 batches lol! Stored the leftovers in the fridge as suggested, and they did indeed get fudgier. Now, I have a week’s worth (or maybe less) of delicious brownies ready to satisfy our sweet cravings!
Haha. I love that you made 3 batches! Is your oven broken? Because next time you could just use the oven and make the original recipe I talk about. ???? Thanks so much for your comment!
This recipe doesn’t just make delicious brownies, it’s also just the right quantity for my small family. We can enjoy them, but won’t overdo it with the sweet stuff like we tend to do with something like a 9×13 pan. I’ve found I need to remove mine when it looks a bit underdone to my eye. As you say, they definitely continue to cook and set for a bit after they’re removed.
That’s so true with the not overdoing it thing! I’m so glad you gave the brownies a try and that you enjoyed them. :) Thanks so much for your feedback!
Wowzas these came out great, brownies in an air fryer, I am gobsmacked in a good yummy fuzzy way :-)
I served these with homemade mango icecream.
I’m so sorry for just now seeing your comment! It was in spam for some strange reason. I’m really glad that the brownies came out well and that you were gobsmacked. :D Homemade mango ice cream sounds like a great idea. I wouldn’t have thought to pair that with brownies, but I’d love to try. :) Thanks so much for your comment!
I made the brownies tonight and couldn’t wait for them to be completely cooled. They are fantastic.. wishing i had some vanilla ice cream to go with the brownies.. so rich and moist.
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that! Vanilla ice cream is a great idea. :) Thanks for your feedback!
LOve that this recipe is so quick and easy to make! It is so convenient, it is now my favorite recipe for brownies.
The quantities given in this recipe are minute. Can they really be right?
Yes. This recipe uses a 6” (15cm) round pan, which fits perfectly in air fryers. It’s a third batch of a regular brownie recipe.
I have a 7in silicon baking tray, would that work for this brownie recipe? Does it need to be lined with baking paper? Thanks.
7inx7in? That’d be too big. Check out the section called Pan Sizes for more info. :) No need to use parchment paper when using silicon.
I made this today! first time baking cake in air fryer. Amazing! It is moist & yummy. thank you the recipe.
These brownies were so fudgy and delicious! I was super impressed. I was skeptical about making them in the air fryer, but MAN, was I wrong! Perfect brownies!
Oh my goodness. These were just amazing!
Why had I not made brownies in the air fryer before?! Delicious!! I will be making these often!
I love having a quick small-batch brownies recipe that I can turn to. These were so delicious and baking them in the air fryer is genius!
Oh wow! Such a great idea! I would have never thought to make them in the air fryer! I cannot wait to try these! They look absolutely amazing!
I love brownies and I love my air fryer, so these were a match made in heaven!
One can really make anything in an air fryer! These brownies look delicious!
I had no idea you could make brownies in an air fryer. But with your recipe we can! They were so chocolatey and fudgy.
Wow! I am so happy to know that I can use my air fryer in baking brownies. I am going to try this today for my kids afternoon snacks. Delicious!
Who knew you could make brownies in an air fryer? SO genius and so delicious! Loved the chocolatey flavor and they were so fudgy:)
I love that these bake in the air fryer! I always appreciate having another fun use for the air fryer, and they look so fudgy.