Air Fryer Brownies
Air fryer brownies bake in about 25 minutes, with a crackly top and a fudgy middle. This from-scratch recipe uses a 6-inch pan that fits a 4–6 qt basket and makes 9 brownies, and the box mix version is just as easy. A lower 320 °F temperature keeps the edges from drying out.
- Temperature
- 320°F160 °C
- Total time
- 55min
- Prep time
- 10min
- Servings
- 9
- Per serving
- 235kcal
Why the air fryer works for brownies
Brownies are all about contrast, with a thin crisp crust on top and a dense, fudgy center. A small air fryer is well suited to that. The hot air forms a shiny top quickly, while the compact chamber keeps the heat even around a small pan. A 6-inch pan of batter bakes in about 25 minutes, with no long oven preheat.
The challenge is that the fan can over-brown the edges before the middle sets. Baking at 320 °F rather than 350 °F fixes that, and so does a foil tent crimped around the rim if the top darkens early. The batter should never go loose into the basket, since it is too wet. Use a pan or silicone cups so it holds its shape. For a similar dessert, try the chocolate cake.
How to make brownies in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the pan Grease a 6-inch square pan (or 6-inch round, at least 2 inches deep) and line the bottom with a piece of parchment cut to fit inside, with nothing hanging over the edge. Check that it fits in a 4–6 qt basket with space on all sides.
- Mix the batter Whisk the melted butter and sugar in a bowl for . Whisk in the eggs and vanilla until smooth and slightly glossy. Sift in the cocoa, flour and salt, and fold until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Fill the pan Scrape the batter into the pan and smooth the top. It should be about 1 inch deep.
- Bake Set the pan in the empty basket and cook at 320 °F for . If the top is already dark at , cover the pan with foil crimped tightly around the rim so it cannot lift.
- Test A toothpick in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs. A clean toothpick means the brownies are cakey, and wet batter means 3–4 more minutes.
- Cool and cut Cool the brownies in the pan for , then lift them out and cut into 9 squares. Wait until they are fully cool for neat edges.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Brownies | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| From scratch, 6-inch pan | 320 °F (160 °C) | 25 min |
| Box mix, 6-inch pan | 320 °F (160 °C) | 20–25 min |
| Silicone muffin cups | 320 °F (160 °C) | 12–14 min |
| Ramekins | 320 °F (160 °C) | 15–18 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Pull them out early. Brownies keep cooking in the hot pan, so take them out when the center looks just set.
- Use good cocoa. Cocoa powder and chocolate chips provide most of the flavor in a brownie, so use ones you enjoy.
- Cool before cutting. Cutting a warm brownie smears the center. Wait 20 minutes, or chill for 10 minutes for the cleanest squares.
What to serve with brownies
Serve warm brownies with vanilla ice cream and a spoonful of chocolate or caramel sauce for a quick dessert. Cold brownies go well with a glass of milk, and a few raspberries on the side cut the richness. They also look good on a dessert plate next to cookies and cheesecake.
Storing and reheating
Store brownies in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for a week. They freeze well for 3 months. To warm one, heat it in the air fryer at 300 °F for 2–3 minutes, until the center is soft again.
Variations
- Walnut: Fold in ½ cup of chopped walnuts.
- Peanut butter swirl: Drop spoonfuls of peanut butter on top and swirl them in with a knife.
- Salted caramel: Drizzle 2 tbsp of caramel sauce on top and finish with a pinch of flaky salt.
- Box mix: Prepare the mix as directed, use two-thirds of the batter in the 6-inch pan and bake at 320 °F for 20–25 minutes.
If it does not turn out right
- The edges are hard and the center is raw
- The air was too hot. Lower the temperature to 300 °F, add a few minutes and use the foil tent after the first 15 minutes.
- The brownies are cakey, not fudgy
- They baked too long or had too much flour. Take them out when a few moist crumbs cling to the toothpick, and measure the flour by spooning and leveling.
- The top has no crinkle
- Whisk the sugar into the warm butter well, then beat the eggs in for a full minute. This creates the thin, shiny crust.
Questions and answers
How long do brownies take in the air fryer?
About 25 minutes at 320 °F for a 6-inch pan of from-scratch batter. A box mix needs 20–25 minutes. Check with a toothpick.
Can I make brownies from a box mix in the air fryer?
Yes. Use about two-thirds of a standard 8x8 mix batch for a 6-inch pan, or bake the whole batch in two rounds, one pan at a time. Bake at 320 °F for 20–25 minutes.
Can I make brownies without a pan?
Yes. Use silicone muffin cups, 12–14 minutes at 320 °F, or oven-safe ramekins for 15–18 minutes. They should not go directly in the basket, because the batter is wet.
Why are my air fryer brownies different from oven brownies?
The fan browns the top faster, so the temperature has to be lower. Done this way, the texture is close to an oven brownie.
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