Brownies in the Air Fryer
Air fryer brownies bake in around 22 minutes and come out with a thin crackly top and a soft, fudgy middle. A 15 cm square tin fits most 4–6 litre baskets, so there is no need to heat the oven for a small batch. This recipe gives you the right temperature, a foil tip for the top, and a simple test so the centre stays gooey.
- Temperature
- 160°C
- Total time
- 1:07hr
- Prep
- 15min
- Servings
- 9
- Per serving
- 270kcal
Why the air fryer works for brownies
Brownies in air fryer baskets suit a small batch. The chamber is compact, so there is no oven to heat up, and the fan sets the top of the batter into the thin, shiny crust that makes a good brownie. The same moving air can dry out the edges, which is why this recipe uses a lower 160 °C and a sheet of foil for the last few minutes. If you search for air fryer brownies and find recipes in 20 cm tins, bear in mind that they will not fit most baskets.
The right tin is a 15 cm square or a 16 cm round, about 5 cm deep. That holds enough batter for nine small brownies, or four generous ones, and leaves a gap around the tin so the air can circulate. Always grease and line the tin, since brownie batter sticks stubbornly to bare metal.
How to make brownies in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Melt the chocolate Melt the butter and chocolate together in a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water, or in the microwave in 30-second bursts. Stir until smooth and leave to cool for .
- Whisk the eggs Whisk the eggs and caster sugar for until thick and paler. This step creates the thin, shiny crust on top.
- Combine Pour in the chocolate mixture and fold. Sift over the flour, cocoa powder and salt and fold until no streaks remain, then stir in the chocolate chips.
- Fill the tin Grease a 15 cm square tin and line it with baking paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. Pour in the batter and level the top.
- Bake Preheat the air fryer to 160 °C for . Lower the tin into the basket and cook for . After , cover loosely with foil if the top is getting dark. The brownies are done when the top is set and cracked and a skewer comes out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
- Cool and cut Leave the brownies in the tin for so they firm up, then lift them out by the paper and cut into 9 squares.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Brownies | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Brownies, 15 cm square tinFoil on top after 15 min | 160 °C | 22–25 min |
| Box mix brownies (half pack) | 160 °C | 18–22 min |
| Mini brownies in paper cases6 per batch | 160 °C | 12–14 min |
| Extra gooey browniesChill before eating | 160 °C | 18–20 min |
| Reheating a brownie | 160 °C | 2–3 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
You may also like: Baking paper and foil in an air fryer
Tips
- Whisk the eggs properly. Two to three minutes of whisking with the sugar gives the crackly top. Skimping on this step gives a flat, matt surface.
- Use good chocolate. With so few ingredients the chocolate is the flavour. A 70% dark chocolate gives a deep, slightly bitter brownie that is not too sweet.
- Wait before cutting. Warm brownies are soft and fall apart. A 30-minute rest, or an hour in the fridge, gives clean squares.
Serving
Serve the brownies warm with vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of cream and raspberries. They also sit well on a tray with cookies and cupcakes, and you can find more ideas in the dessert section. For a decadent cake instead, see the chocolate cake. For a plainer, buttery biscuit, see shortbread.
Storing and reheating
Keep the brownies in an airtight tin for up to 4 days, or freeze squares for up to 3 months. To warm a brownie in the air fryer, put it in at 160 °C for 2–3 minutes until it is soft and gooey again. A cold brownie straight from the fridge needs closer to 3 minutes.
Variations
- Salted caramel: Swirl 2 tbsp of caramel sauce over the top before baking and sprinkle with flaked sea salt.
- Nuts or orange: Add 40 g chopped pecans or the zest of one orange to the batter.
- Mini brownies: Spoon the batter into 8 paper cases and bake six at a time at 160 °C for 12–14 minutes.
Troubleshooting
- The brownies are cakey rather than fudgy
- They were baked too long or the flour was overmixed. Take them out while the centre still looks slightly soft, as they set further while cooling.
- The edges are dry and the middle is raw
- The heat was too high. Stay at 160 °C and cover the tin with foil after 15 minutes so the edges do not overcook.
- No crackly top
- Whisk the eggs and sugar until thick and pale before folding in the chocolate. The dissolved sugar forms the crust.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook brownies in an air fryer?
About 22 minutes at 160 °C in a 15 cm square tin. Mini brownies in paper cases need 12–14 minutes.
Can you make brownies in an air fryer from a box mix?
Yes. Make up half the pack, pour it into a 15 cm tin and bake at 160 °C for 18–22 minutes. A whole pack is made for a 20 cm tin that will not fit most baskets.
Can you bake brownies in an air fryer without a tin?
You can use a foil container or a silicone mould of a similar size. Brownie batter is very runny, so it needs something with sides, even lined with baking paper.
What is the temperature and time for air fryer brownies?
160 °C for 22 minutes is a reliable starting point. A lower heat keeps the edges from drying out before the middle sets.
How do I keep brownies fudgy?
Do not overbake them. Stop when a skewer shows moist crumbs and let them cool completely in the tin.
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