Air-Fryer Brownie Perfection: A Quick, Crispy Treat?

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance, and they can be used to make desserts, including brownies. Air fryer brownies are perfect for when you want a small batch and don't want to turn on the oven. They are also a good option if you don't want to heat up your house. Making brownies in an air fryer is easy and delivers awesome results. However, it can be a hassle as it requires a lot of counter space and creates many dirty dishes.

Air fryer brownies: delicious, but are they worth the hassle?

Air fryers are one of the most popular kitchen appliances of recent years, and they can be used for desserts as well as meat and vegetables. You can bake brownies from scratch in an air fryer, and they will be delicious, but is it worth the hassle?

The main benefit of using an air fryer is that you don't have to heat up your whole oven, and you can make a smaller batch of brownies. This is great if you're cooking for a smaller number of people, or if you just want to make a quick treat without heating up your kitchen. Air fryers are also a good option for college students who want to make brownies in their dorm room.

However, making brownies in an air fryer can be a lot of work. You'll need to find a pan that fits inside the basket, and you'll have to adjust the temperature and cooking time. Air fryers vary in wattage, so you may need to experiment to get the right cooking time for your machine. You'll also need to use smaller tools and cut the recipe in half, as air fryers are smaller than ovens. This means you'll be making a smaller batch of brownies, which might not be what you want.

Another issue is the amount of counter space you'll need. You'll need to use several bowls to make the brownie batter, and the air fryer itself takes up a lot of space. One person who made brownies in their air fryer said it took 90 minutes and a "truly annoying level of counter space" to make two small brownies. They concluded that, in the future, they would stick to using a large brownie pan and an oven.

So, are air fryer brownies worth the hassle? If you're short on oven space or want to make a small batch of brownies without heating up your kitchen, then it could be worth it. However, if you're looking for a quick and easy way to make a large batch of brownies, you might be better off sticking to the oven.

Air fryer brownies: how to make them

Air fryer brownies are a quick and easy way to make a small batch of brownies without turning on your oven. They are perfect for when you want a gooey, fudgy treat that is still slightly undercooked in the middle.

Ingredients:

• Flour (plain/all-purpose, whole wheat, or gluten-free)
• Cocoa powder (unsweetened/Dutch-process)
• Sugar (light brown, granulated, or coconut)
• Butter or margarine
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Chocolate chips (optional)

Method:

• Prepare your air fryer by preheating it to 330-340°F (165-170°C).
• Grease a 6-8 inch baking pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray and line it with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and stir until you have a thick, smooth batter with no dry pockets of flour.
• Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth out the top.
• Place the pan in the preheated air fryer and bake for 15-25 minutes. The brownies are ready when they have formed a thin crust and appear set in the middle. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter.
• Remove the pan from the air fryer and allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Tips:

• If using a silicone pan, you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
• Be patient and allow the brownies to cool down before slicing, or they will crumble and be harder to cut.
• You can top the brownies with extra chocolate chips, nuts, or other mix-ins, but they will be harder to slice into neat squares.
• You can melt the butter and chocolate in a double boiler instead of the microwave.
• You can check on the brownies as often as you like without affecting their texture.

Air fryer brownies: ingredients and recipe

Air fryer brownies are a quick and easy way to make a small batch of delicious brownies without turning on the oven. They are perfect when you crave something sweet and chocolatey but don't want to heat up the entire house. The best part is that you can make them in your air fryer with minimal hassle and in a short amount of time!

Ingredients:

• Flour – You can use all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, gluten-free flour, or even almond or coconut flour for a grain-free option.
• Cocoa Powder – Unsweetened cocoa powder is preferred, and if you want a smoother chocolate flavor, go for Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
• Fat – You can use butter, coconut oil, or any neutral-flavored oil.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar or light brown sugar is typically used, but coconut sugar or other granulated sugar substitutes can also work.
• Eggs – This is optional, but it adds to the structure and richness of the brownies.
• Flavorings – Vanilla extract is a must for enhancing the chocolate flavor. You can also add a pinch of salt to amplify the other ingredients.
• Mix-ins – Chocolate chips, nuts, or even fresh berries can be added to the batter for extra texture and flavor.

Recipe:

• Prepare your baking pan – Use a 6-inch or 7-inch round or square pan that fits your air fryer. Grease it generously with butter or use a baking spray.
• Preheat your air fryer – Set the temperature to 330-340 degrees Fahrenheit and let it preheat for about 5 minutes.
• Make the batter – In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt). In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients (melted butter/oil, eggs, and vanilla extract). Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until you have a thick and smooth batter. Fold in any mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts.
• Bake the brownies – Pour the batter into the prepared pan and place it in the air fryer. Bake for 15-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. The baking time may vary depending on your air fryer model.
• Cool and serve – Remove the brownies from the air fryer and let them cool completely in the pan before removing and slicing. You can top them with extra chocolate chips or nuts, but this will make them harder to cut into neat squares.

Tips:

• If you're using a silicone pan, you may need to increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes.
• To check if your brownies are done, insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter.
• Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.
• You can store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate them for a fudgier texture.

Air fryer brownies: tips and tricks

Air fryer brownies are a quick and easy way to make a small batch of brownies without turning on the oven. Here are some tips and tricks to help you achieve the perfect air fryer brownies:

Choosing the Right Pan

One of the biggest challenges when making air fryer brownies is finding a pan that fits your air fryer. It is recommended to use smaller pans, such as 7-inch or 6-inch pans, for baking in an air fryer. You can also use ramekins or other small air fryer-safe dishes or molds made of glass, ceramic, metal, or silicone. If you're using a disposable aluminum pan, be aware that it may take longer to bake the brownies.

Adjusting Temperature and Time

When baking in an air fryer, it is generally recommended to reduce the temperature and time compared to a conventional oven. As a guideline, reduce the temperature by 30 degrees Fahrenheit and cut the baking time by 20%. However, air fryer wattage can vary, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Keep in mind that the color of your pan can also affect the baking time, with darker or glass pans baking the brownies faster than lighter, shiny aluminum pans.

Preparing the Brownie Batter

You can make air fryer brownies from scratch or use a boxed brownie mix. If making from scratch, combine the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, and salt) in one bowl and the wet ingredients (eggs, sugar, butter, oil, vanilla extract, and water) in another bowl. Then, mix the dry and wet ingredients together until you have a smooth, glossy, and thick batter. If using a boxed mix, simply follow the instructions on the box.

Baking the Brownies

Preheat your air fryer to 330-340 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease your chosen pan with butter or cooking spray and pour the batter into the pan, smoothing out the top. Place the pan in the air fryer and bake for 15-25 minutes. The brownies are done when they have formed a thin crust and appear set in the middle. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter.

Cooling and Serving

Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing and serving. Air fryer brownies will continue to bake and firm up as they cool. You can store the brownies at room temperature for up to 4-5 days or freeze them for up to three months. Reheat the brownies in the microwave for a few seconds before serving to enjoy that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste!

Air fryer brownies: alternatives and variations

Air fryer brownies are a great alternative to oven-baked brownies, especially if you don't want to heat up your kitchen. They are also perfect if you don't need a whole batch of brownies. You can make them from scratch or use a boxed brownie mix. Here are some alternatives and variations to try:

Variations

• Fudgy vs cakey brownies: Depending on your preference, you can adjust the recipe to make your brownies more fudgy or cakey. For fudgy brownies, use a Dutch-process cocoa powder or Hershey's Special Dark cocoa powder. For cakey brownies, use a natural cocoa powder like the regular Hershey's kind.
• Add-ins: You can add various mix-ins to your brownie batter, such as chocolate chips, nuts, caramel swirls, or candy bar pieces. For a salty-sweet combination, try adding some sea salt on top of your brownies.
• Toppings: There are several ways to top your air fryer brownies. You can add a chocolate drizzle, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. For a truly indulgent treat, try peppermint or pecan ice cream. Or, for a lighter option, add a dollop of homemade whipped cream.

Alternatives

• Gluten-free brownies: If you need a gluten-free option, you can use a gluten-free brownie mix or substitute a gluten-free flour blend in your recipe. Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour is a good option.
• Dairy-free brownies: For dairy-free brownies, substitute coconut oil for butter and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
• Vegan brownies: To make vegan brownies, substitute unsweetened applesauce for eggs in your recipe. You can also try using an egg replacer, but this may affect the texture of your brownies.
• Paleo brownies: For a paleo-friendly option, check out recipes like Paleo Air Fryer Cookies or Paleo Vegan Brownies, which use alternative ingredients like almond flour, coconut flour, or paleo-friendly sweeteners.
• Sugar-free brownies: While it's not recommended to simply omit the sugar in a traditional brownie recipe, you can find sugar-free brownie recipes that use alternative sweeteners like maple sugar or sugar substitutes.

Frequently asked questions