Skip the oven and make small batch Vegan Air Fryer Brownies in only 30 minutes the next time you're craving a sweet treat.
I received a complimentary copy of Vegan Cooking in Your Air Fryer to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
When it comes to air fryer recipes, popular dishes like hand cut fries and air fried tofu may come to mind. But this small appliance can be used to make desserts as well.
And making sweet treats like Vegan Air Fryer Brownies is really easy and doesn't require eggs, oil, or dairy. Plus you can add your favorite ingredients to them like nuts, chocolate chips, or coconut to make them their own.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Using your air fryer instead of your oven doesn't heat up your kitchen.
- It makes a small batch so you can enjoy a fudgy treat without making more than you want to eat.
- It's easy to customize with mix-ins like mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and/or nuts.
This egg-free brownie recipe is by Kathy Hester, the creator of Plant Based Instant Pot and Healthy Slow Cooking from her cookbook, Vegan Cooking in Your Air Fryer. In the book, it goes by the name Small Batch Brownies.
Vegan Cooking in Your Air Fryer: 75 Incredible Comfort Food Recipes with Half the Calories By Kathy Hester
- All recipes include gluten-, soy-, and oil-free options and are clearly labeled.
- If you follow a whole-food, plant-based diet or SOS-free diet (salt/oil/sugar-free), this is the book for you.
- Includes seasoning and sauce recipes you can use with other recipes.
If you love using your air fryer, check out the Best Air Fryer Cookbooks for Vegans.
Ingredients
Flour: To make this recipe gluten-free, I use King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour or Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Baking Flour.
Aquafaba: You'll need a can of chickpeas, but we'll be using the liquid only, not the beans. Reserve them for another use.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Instructions
Making vegan air fryer brownies is quick and easy.
- First mix the dry ingredients together. Then mix the wet ingredients together.
- Pour the wet into the dry and mix until well combined. At this point you can add any optional ingredients you like.
- Line a cake pan or baking dish with parchment paper. Pour in the brownie batter.
- Place the pan in your air fryer and cook until set. Allow to cool, cut, and enjoy.
Amy's tip
Air fryers vary, so you may need to experiment with the cooking time. It's always a good idea to check for doneness a few times to avoid overcooking.
Storing and freezing
Brownies will last 3 to 4 days at room temperature in an airtight container, up to a week refrigerated, or up to 3 months frozen. Defrost 2 to 3 hours at room temperature before serving.
FAQ
Brownies will continue to solidify, so it's important to allow them to cool completely at room temperature in the pan before cutting. Plan on at least 30 minutes.
You can use any ovenproof pan or dish in an air fryer such as metal, glass, ceramic, or silicone.
Aquafaba is the liquid from cooked chickpeas. The easiest way to get it is by draining a can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and reserving the liquid.
More chocolate recipes
And for even more recipes, join the Vegan Mediterranean Diet Recipes Facebook group for support, inspiration, and fun.
If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars! ★★★★★
📋 Recipe
Small Batch Vegan Air Fryer Brownies
Equipment
Ingredients
DRY INGREDIENTS:
- ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour , (or a gluten-free baking blend*)
- ½ cup organic sugar
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 Tablespoon ground flax seeds
- ¼ teaspoon salt
WET INGREDIENTS:
- ¼ cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
- ¼ cup aquafaba, (the liquid from a can of chickpeas)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
OPTIONAL MIX-INS:
- ¼ cup of any one or a combination of the following: chopped walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, mini vegan chocolate chips**, shredded coconut
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients together in one bowl. Then mix the wet ingredients in a large measuring cup. Add the wet to the dry and mix well.
- Add in the mix-in(s) of your choice and mix again.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Line a 5-inch round cake or pie pan (or a loaf pan that fits in your air fryer) with parchment paper. (Alternatively you can spray the pan with oil, but then the brownies will not be oil-free.)
- Place the pan in the fryer basket or on the tray if you have an oven-style air fryer. Cook for 20 minutes. If the middle is not well set or a knife doesn't come out clean when stuck in the middle, cook for 5 minutes more and repeat as needed. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your pan and your particular air fryer.
- Let the brownies cool for about 30 minutes before cutting.
Notes
- *To make this recipe gluten-free, I use King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour or Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Baking Flour.
- **For a mix-in, I recommend Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Chips.
- Air fryers vary, so you may need to experiment with the cooking time. It's always a good idea to check for doneness a few times to avoid overcooking.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
Margaret Vansoest
Sounds wonderfully easy and quick! If I made it in a regular oven, what temperature would you set it to and for how long? Thanks.
Amy Katz
Thanks Margaret! I'm not much of a baker, but I would keep the same temperature since it's a small batch. Then bake it for the same amount of time to start, checking it frequently. You may need to bake it a little longer.
Vee
Hi, Can I substitute something for the aquafaba? Not sure the purpose of it in this recipe since you already have flax seeds as the binder?
Amy Katz
Hi Vee, This recipe is from Kathy Hester's cookbook, but I believe the aquafaba is in place of oil.
Su Gregg
Can’t wait to try this small batch recipe. Recently I gave my air fryer to one of my kids and bought an InstantPot which I use all the time. Hopefully I can borrow it back!
Amy Katz
Yes, I hope you can make them...or have your kid make them for you! 🙂
Lisa
Did you use the airfry setting or the baking one? Thanks for clarifying 🙂
Amy Katz
Hi Lisa! I make it in my Philips air fryer, which is strictly an air fryer. I think you have a multi-function appliance. If so, you would use the air fryer setting. But since all air fryers are different, be sure to check for doneness a few times.
hreelina
i loved making it. asolutely amazing .
Misty
What size baking dish did you use?
Amy
I used this biggest ceramic dish that would fit in my air fryer. The size will vary depending on your brand and model. I hope that helps!