Method

  1. Grease a 7in round or square metal cake pan that fits inside your air fryer basket with a little butter or a spray of oil, or line it with parchment paper leaving an overhang for easy lifting.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar together until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each, then stir in the vanilla.
  3. Sift the cocoa powder, flour, and salt over the wet mixture. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined; don't overmix or the brownies turn cakey instead of fudgy. Fold in the chocolate chips if using.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with the spatula.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 330°F for about 3 minutes.
  6. Air fryer: 330°F, 20 minutes. Set the pan in the basket, making sure air can circulate around the edges, and cook undisturbed.
  7. Check at the 16 minute mark. The top should look set with a shiny, crackly crust and the edges should be pulling slightly away from the pan. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
  8. Since this batter is built on eggs, confirm doneness with an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center: it should read at least 160°F. The toothpick test is a helpful visual cue, but the thermometer reading is what confirms the eggs are fully cooked.
  9. Let the brownies cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before lifting out and slicing. They firm up as they cool, so resist cutting into them right away.

Tips

  • Every air fryer basket circulates heat a little differently, so start checking a few minutes before the time listed and adjust in small increments on your next batch.
  • A metal pan works better than glass here since it heats up faster and gives you that crisp top; glass can leave the center underbaked in the same time.
  • Don't skip the parchment overhang. Fudgy brownies are soft and can tear if you try to flip the pan out before they've cooled.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, drop the temperature by about 10°F to 15°F for the last few minutes instead of pulling the pan early, so the center finishes without the edges burning.

FAQ

Can I use a glass baking dish instead of metal? You can, but expect the center to need a few extra minutes since glass heats more slowly than metal in an air fryer.

Why did my brownies come out dry? Overmixing the batter after adding the flour develops too much gluten, and overbaking dries out the center. Pull them as soon as the thermometer hits 160°F and the toothpick shows moist crumbs.

Do I need to flip or shake anything during cooking? No. Baked batter in a pan just needs steady heat from above and below, so leave the pan undisturbed for the full cook time.

Can I double this recipe? Only if your air fryer basket can fit a larger pan with clearance on all sides for air to circulate; otherwise bake two smaller batches back to back.

How do I store leftover brownies? Once fully cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.