These small batch air fryer brownies from scratch give you a fudgy little pan of brownies in about 30 minutes without turning on the oven. The recipe fits a 6-inch pan, so you get about six generous pieces instead of a tray you will be eating all week.
Everything comes from pantry staples: butter, sugar, an egg, a little flour and cocoa, and real chocolate. The batter is mixed by hand in two bowls, and the air fryer bakes it more gently than you might expect when you use a lower temperature. If you would rather start from a mix, my air fryer boxed brownies are the faster shortcut, and this scratch version is for when you want deeper chocolate flavor.
Table of Contents
Why This Works
- The pan size matches the appliance. A 6-inch pan fits inside most air fryer baskets and bakes evenly without crowding the airflow.
- A lower temperature. The air fryer circulates hot air quickly, so baking at 325 degrees F keeps the edges from drying out before the center sets.
- Melted chocolate and butter. They give the brownies a dense, fudgy crumb that stays moist.
- Just enough leavening. A quarter teaspoon of baking powder adds slight lift without making the brownies cakey.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate (about 85 g), finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate, roughly chopped, for the batter
- 1/3 cup white sugar (use 1/2 cup for a sweeter brownie)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
How to Make Small Batch Air Fryer Brownies
1. Prepare the pan. Line a 6-inch round or square cake pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang so you can lift the brownies out. Check that the pan fits in your air fryer basket.
2. Melt the chocolate. Place the finely chopped chocolate in a completely dry microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 10-second bursts, stirring in between, until smooth. Let it cool for a minute or two.
3. Mix the wet ingredients. Stir the sugar into the melted butter until combined. Whisk in the egg until smooth, then stir in the vanilla. Add the melted chocolate and stir until glossy.
4. Add the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Fold into the wet mixture until just combined, then fold in the roughly chopped chocolate.
5. Bake. Spread the batter into the pan and set it in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 325 degrees F for about 15 minutes. A toothpick in the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. If needed, add a couple of minutes at a time.
6. Rest and cut. Let the brownies rest in the pan for at least 30 minutes, then lift them out and cut into six pieces.
How to Serve
These are best slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or at room temperature with a glass of cold milk. For a bigger oven-baked batch, try the brownies from scratch. If you plan to give brownies as gifts, the homemade brownie mix is a handy option to have on the shelf. For a stuffed variation, the peanut butter stuffed brownies make a good comparison.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze for up to three months. To warm a piece, microwave it for 10 to 15 seconds. When making the batter, remember that Ohio State University Extension advises against eating raw dough or batter, so save tasting for after baking.
Tips and Variations
- Check early. Every air fryer cooks differently, so start testing a minute or two before the time is up.
- Keep the chocolate dry. A drop of water can make melted chocolate stiffen, so use a dry bowl.
- Use a small pan. A pan that is too large spreads the batter thin, so the brownies bake too fast and dry out.
- Add nuts. Two tablespoons of chopped walnuts go in with the chocolate pieces.
- Cool before cutting. Brownies firm up as they cool, which gives cleaner slices.
- Sweeten to taste. Use the larger amount of sugar if you prefer a sweeter, slightly chewier brownie.
FAQ
What size pan do I need for air fryer brownies?
A 6-inch round or square pan works in most baskets. Measure your basket first, and leave a little room around the pan for airflow.
Can I use a 7-inch pan?
Possibly, if it fits your air fryer. The batter will be thinner, so start checking a few minutes early.
Why do the brownies need to cool so long?
Fudgy brownies are soft when hot. Cooling lets them set, so they slice cleanly instead of collapsing.
Can I make these without parchment paper?
Grease the pan well instead, but parchment makes removal much easier and keeps the sides from sticking.
Can I double the recipe?
A double batch will not fit a small pan. Bake two batches, or bake a larger batch in the oven.
Small Batch Air Fryer Brownies from Scratch
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate about 85 g, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp semi-sweet chocolate roughly chopped, for the batter
- ⅓ cup white sugar use 1/2 cup for a sweeter brownie
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
Instructions
Cooking
- Line a 6-inch round or square cake pan with parchment, leaving a little overhang. Make sure it fits in your air fryer basket.
- Melt the finely chopped chocolate in a completely dry microwave-safe bowl in 10-second bursts, stirring in between, until smooth. Let it cool a minute or two.
- Stir the sugar into the melted butter, whisk in the egg until smooth, then stir in the vanilla and the melted chocolate.
- Whisk the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Fold into the wet mixture until just combined, then fold in the roughly chopped chocolate.
- Spread the batter in the pan, set it in the air fryer basket, and air fry at 325 degrees F for about 15 minutes, until a toothpick shows moist crumbs. Add a couple of minutes at a time if needed.
- Rest the brownies in the pan for at least 30 minutes, then lift out and cut into six pieces.
