Air Fryer Brownies: Baking Without Oil

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens when it comes to baking brownies. They are perfect for making a small batch of brownies and saving energy. Air fryer brownies are typically fudgy and gooey, with a thin, shiny, and slightly chewy crust. The cooking time may vary depending on the size and type of your air fryer, but on average, they take around 10-15 minutes to bake. You can also customise your brownies by adding mix-ins such as chocolate chips, nuts, or swirls of caramel.

Air fryer brownies from a box

Making brownies from a box in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious dessert without having to turn on your oven. This method is perfect for making a small batch of brownies and is a great option for those who are short on time or don't want to spend a lot of energy measuring ingredients.

Ingredients and Tools:

To make brownies from a box in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Boxed brownie mix
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Water

You can also add some mix-ins to your brownies, such as chocolate chips, nuts, or caramel swirls, for extra flavour and texture.

In terms of tools, you will need:

• A tabletop air fryer or a traditional air fryer
• A baking pan that fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket, such as a 7-inch springform pan or a cake barrel pan. You can also use a 6x6-inch or an 8x8-inch baking tray if it fits in your air fryer.
• Parchment paper or aluminium foil to line your baking pan
• Non-stick cooking spray

Steps to Make Air Fryer Boxed Brownies:

• Prepare the brownie batter according to the instructions on the box.
• Line your baking pan with parchment paper or aluminium foil, or you can leave it as is. Spray the bottom of your pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
• Set your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the pan in the air fryer and bake for 12-15 minutes. For some air fryers, you might need to bake for up to 30 minutes.
• Check the brownies after the suggested baking time. If they are not done, put them back in for an additional 5 minutes and check again.
• Remove the brownies from the air fryer and allow them to cool before slicing and serving.

Tips for Making Air Fryer Boxed Brownies:

• Use room-temperature eggs for a lighter and fluffier brownie.
• Check on your brownies frequently, especially if you are using a thicker pan or a glass dish, as they may take longer to bake.
• Use parchment paper or aluminium foil on the bottom of your pan to make it easier to remove the brownies and cut them into pieces.
• Be aware that air fryer brownies will continue to cook even after you take them out of the air fryer. They are done when a knife inserted in the centre comes out with a few crumbs.
• You can add mix-ins such as chocolate chips, nuts, or caramel swirls to the batter before baking.

Storing and Serving Air Fryer Boxed Brownies:

Brownies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to three days. You can also refrigerate them for a longer shelf life or freeze them for extended storage. To reheat, simply warm the brownies in the microwave or air fryer for a few seconds.

Serve your air fryer boxed brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce or caramel. You can also dust them with powdered sugar for a simple yet delicious treat.

Air fryer brownies from scratch

Making brownies in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy a small batch of brownies without having to turn on the oven. Here is a detailed, direct, and instructive guide on how to make air fryer brownies from scratch.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (you can also use whole wheat flour or a gluten-free flour blend)
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup cocoa powder (Dutch-process or unsweetened)
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup melted butter or coconut oil (refined coconut oil is best to avoid a coconut taste)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar or coconut sugar
• 1/2 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

• Prepare a 6" or 7" round cake pan by lining it with parchment paper and greasing it with butter or cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, mix the melted butter or oil, sugar, and vanilla extract. Then, add the egg and stir until combined.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until almost no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can affect the texture of the brownies.
• If desired, fold in 1/4 cup of chocolate chips.
• Preheat your air fryer to 330-340°F (165-170°C).
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top, if desired.
• Bake in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out wet, and the sides appear set. The brownies will continue to cook as they cool.
• Allow the brownies to cool completely before serving or storing.

Storage:

You can store the brownies at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate them for a fudgier texture. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Tips:

• If you don't have a 6" or 7" pan, you can use ramekins or other small air fryer-safe dishes. Just keep an eye on the baking time as it may vary.
• The color of your pan can affect the baking time. Darker or glass pans will bake the brownies faster than lighter, shiny pans.
• It's important to stay close to the air fryer and check on the brownies frequently to avoid burning.
• If you want to add nuts or other mix-ins, feel free to do so! Just fold them into the batter before pouring it into the pan.

Air fryer brownies with gluten-free flour

These air fryer brownies are perfect if you can't bear to turn on the oven and heat up the house. They're also ideal if you don't need a whole batch of brownies. The gluten-free version is just as delicious as the traditional version, with a tender texture and rich chocolate flavour.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup (46 grams) Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-free Baking Mix (or your preferred gluten-free flour)
• 1/4 cup (29 grams) Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted if lumpy
• 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

Method:

• Line a 6" circular cake pan with parchment paper.
• In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, stir together the melted oil, sugar, and vanilla extract. Once combined, add the egg and stir just until combined.
• Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir just until almost no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix! Fold in 1/4 cup 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.
• 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 centre will come out wet. A toothpick inserted into the sides will come out with some moist crumbs, but not totally raw batter. The brownies will continue to cook as they cool.
• Let the brownies cool completely, 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.

Air fryer brownies with dairy-free chocolate

These air fryer brownies are perfect for when you want a small batch of delicious brownies and don't want to turn on the oven. They are made from scratch and can be made traditionally or gluten-free and dairy-free.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup (42 grams) 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
• 1/4 cup (29 grams) Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted if lumpy
• 1/4 cup + 2 teaspoons (65 grams) refined coconut oil or unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly (use coconut oil for dairy-free)
• 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) dairy-free chocolate chips + mini chips to sprinkle on top

Method:

• Line a 6" circular cake pan with parchment paper.
• In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, stir together the melted oil, sugar, and vanilla extract. Once combined, add the egg and stir just until combined.
• Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir just until almost no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix! Fold in 1/4 cup 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.
• 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 should come out wet. A toothpick inserted into the sides will come out with some moist crumbs, but not totally raw batter. The brownies will continue to bake as they cool in the pan and will firm up as they cool.
• Let the brownies cool completely, 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.

Tips:

• If you don't have a 6" circular pan, you can use something else with an area of 28sq inches (177 square cm). If using a larger pan, take the brownies out earlier. For smaller pans, check after 14 minutes and adjust the time accordingly.
• You can also use ramekins or other small air fryer-safe dishes or molds made of glass, ceramic, metal, or silicone.
• Baking times can vary quite a bit in air fryers, so stay close to the air fryer and check frequently until the brownies are done.

Air fryer brownies with egg substitutes

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour (sifted)
• 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup oil (any neutral-flavored oil)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup chocolate (chopped)

Method

• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Mix well.
• Add the wet ingredients: oil, applesauce, water or milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until a thick brownie batter remains.
• Fold in the chocolate chips.
• Grease 4 small oven-safe ramekins. Distribute the brownie batter evenly among them.
• Place the ramekins in the air fryer basket and bake for 4-5 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
• Remove the brownies from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving.

Tips

• If you want to make standard brownies, pour the batter into a greased 6-inch round cake pan and increase the air frying time to 10 minutes.
• Don't let the brownies cool in the basket, as they may overcook.
• You can add mix-ins like fresh berries, walnuts, sprinkles, or white chocolate chips.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour with added xanthan gum.

Storage

Store the leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to two months.

Frequently asked questions