Air Fryer Brownies: Perfect Timing For Chocolatey Treats

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to baking brownies in an oven. The cooking time varies depending on the air fryer model, the thickness of the brownie batter, and the type of baking pan used. However, on average, it takes around 10 to 15 minutes to bake brownies in an air fryer.

To make brownies in an air fryer, first prepare the brownie batter as per the recipe instructions. Grease a baking pan that fits comfortably inside the air fryer basket, or use parchment paper or aluminium foil for easier removal. Pour the batter into the pan and place it in the air fryer. Set the air fryer to the desired temperature, usually between 325°F to 350°F, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Check the brownies and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Let the brownies cool before slicing and serving. Enjoy your freshly baked, delicious air fryer brownies!

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the brownie-making process. This step ensures that your air fryer is at the optimal temperature for baking your brownies. The ideal temperature for cooking brownies in an air fryer is around 330°F (165-170°C). Depending on your air fryer model, it should take about 5 minutes to preheat.

While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your brownie batter. This involves mixing together the dry ingredients, such as flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder, and then adding in the wet ingredients, such as melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. You can also add in any mix-ins, such as chocolate chips or nuts, at this stage.

Once your batter is ready, grease your baking pan with butter or cooking spray and pour the batter into the pan. Smooth out the top of the batter, and then place the pan in the preheated air fryer.

The preheating step is crucial as it ensures that your brownies cook evenly and thoroughly. It also helps to create that desirable thin, shiny, and chewy crust on your brownies.

Different air fryer models may have slight variations in wattage and cooking time, so it's important to refer to your air fryer's instructions and adjust the temperature and timing accordingly. Additionally, if you're using a silicone pan, you may need to increase the baking time by a few minutes.

Prepare the brownie batter

To prepare the brownie batter, you will need a large mixing bowl, a balloon whisk or hand/stand mixer, and a greased and lined baking pan. The ingredients you will need are:

• Flour (all-purpose, plain, or gluten-free with added xanthan gum)
• Cocoa powder (unsweetened, Dutch-process, or natural)
• Salt
• Sugar (granulated, light brown, white, coconut, or brown)
• Eggs
• Butter or margarine (unsalted)
• Vegetable oil or coconut oil
• Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
• Baking powder
• Water or milk (optional)

First, prepare your dry ingredients by stirring or whisking together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Set this aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar, vanilla, and eggs. If using a hand mixer or stand mixer, do this gradually. You may also add water or milk to this mixture. Once combined, add the melted butter and chocolate mixture, stirring until thoroughly combined.

Next, gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until you have a smooth, glossy, and thick batter with no dry pockets of flour. You can also add in any desired mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, nuts, or caramel bits, at this stage.

Finally, spoon the batter into your greased and lined baking pan, levelling it out with a spatula. Your brownie batter is now ready to be baked in the air fryer!

Add batter to the pan

Adding the batter to the pan is a crucial step in making brownies in your air fryer. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect air fryer brownies:

Prepare the Baking Pan:

Before adding the batter, it is essential to prepare your baking pan properly. You can use a square or round cake pan, typically 6 to 8 inches in size, depending on what fits your air fryer. Line the pan with parchment paper, allowing the ends to extend up the sides. Alternatively, you can grease the pan generously with butter on the bottom and all sides. This step ensures that your brownies don't stick to the pan and makes removal easier.

Make the Brownie Batter:

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients, such as flour, cocoa powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients, including melted butter or oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and any other desired flavourings. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and combine until you have a smooth, glossy, and thick batter. You can also add mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or caramel bits at this stage.

Add the Batter to the Pan:

Once your batter is ready, it's time to add it to the prepared baking pan. Spoon the batter into the pan and smooth out the top with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Make sure the batter is evenly distributed and levelled.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Set your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 325°F and 350°F (165°C to 170°C). Let it preheat for a few minutes while your batter is resting.

Place the Pan in the Air Fryer:

After preheating, carefully place the pan with the batter into the air fryer basket. Ensure that the pan fits comfortably without touching the sides of the air fryer to allow for proper air circulation.

Bake the Brownies:

Close the air fryer and set the timer. The baking time can vary depending on your air fryer model and the type of pan you are using. For a metal pan, the baking time is usually around 15 to 25 minutes. For a silicone pan, you may need to add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time. Check on your brownies periodically to avoid overbaking. They are done when a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter.

Cool and Serve:

Once the brownies are baked, remove the pan from the air fryer and let them cool completely before slicing. Be patient, as cutting them while they are still warm will cause them to crumble. Serve your delicious air fryer brownies as desired, with toppings such as whipped cream, ice cream, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Enjoy!

Bake the brownies

Now that you have your batter ready, it's time to bake your brownies in the air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Baking Pan

Preheat your air fryer to around 330-340°F (165-170°C). While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your baking pan. You can use a square or round pan, typically around 6-8 inches in size. Grease the pan generously with butter or line it with parchment paper. If using parchment paper, let the ends extend up the sides of the pan.

Step 2: Pour the Batter into the Pan

Once your batter is prepared and your pan is ready, pour the batter into the pan. Smooth out the top of the batter with a spatula to ensure it is evenly distributed. You can also add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts at this point if desired.

Step 3: Air Fry the Brownies

Place the pan with the batter into the preheated air fryer. The baking time will vary depending on your air fryer model, but on average, it should take around 15-25 minutes. The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Be careful not to overbake the brownies.

Step 4: Cool and Serve

Remove the pan from the air fryer and allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing and serving. The brownies will continue to cook and firm up as they cool. You can also top the brownies with extra chocolate chips, nuts, or other toppings, but this will make them harder to cut into neat squares.

Tips for Baking Brownies in an Air Fryer:

• Air fryer wattage and baking times can vary, so keep an eye on your brownies during the cooking process to prevent overbaking.
• The type of pan you use can affect the cooking time. Metal pans cook faster, while glass or silicone pans may require a longer baking time.
• You can open the air fryer to check on the brownies as often as you like without affecting their texture.
• If the top of the brownies starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the pan with aluminium foil to prevent overbrowning.

Cool and serve

Once your brownies are cooked, it's important to let them cool before slicing and serving. If you slice them while they're still warm, they will crumble and be harder to cut. Be patient and allow them to cool down before slicing.

You can reheat the brownies for a few seconds in the microwave before serving for maximum yumminess!

Store brownies in an airtight container for up to five days. You can also freeze the brownies, in portions, for up to three months.

If you want to add toppings to your brownies, you can add extra chocolate chips or nuts. However, this will make them harder to slice into neat squares.

Frequently asked questions