Description
This easy Air Fryer Lava Cake recipe delivers a rich, molten chocolate center with a tender cake exterior. Perfect for chocolate lovers, it’s quick to prepare and cooks to perfection in your air fryer, making an impressive dessert with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Nonstick spray or butter (for greasing ramekins)
Optional Toppings
- Powdered sugar
- Whipped cream
- Fresh berries
Instructions
- Prepare Ramekins: Grease two 6-ounce ramekins thoroughly with nonstick spray or butter to ensure the lava cakes release easily after cooking. Set aside.
- Melt Chocolate and Butter: Place the semi-sweet chocolate and unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each, until the mixture is smooth and completely melted.
- Mix Batter: Whisk in the powdered sugar until well combined. Next, add the whole egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and salt, and whisk until the batter is smooth and uniform.
- Fold in Flour: Gently fold the all-purpose flour into the batter until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cakes tender.
- Fill Ramekins: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared ramekins, smoothing the tops.
- Air Fry: Place the ramekins in your air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, checking at 8 minutes to ensure the cakes’ edges are set while the centers remain soft and molten.
- Rest and Unmold: Let the cakes rest for 1 minute after cooking. Carefully run a knife around the edges of each ramekin to loosen the cake, then invert onto serving plates.
- Serve: Serve immediately with a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or fresh berries for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Do not overcook the cakes; otherwise, the centers won’t stay molten and gooey. Check the cakes at 8 minutes, as air fryer performance varies.
- You can prepare the batter ahead of time and refrigerate it in the ramekins; simply add an extra minute of cooking time when baking from cold.
- Be gentle when folding in the flour to maintain a tender crumb.
- Use fresh ingredients and high-quality chocolate for the best flavor.
