Fudgy Dark Chocolate Brownies in Air Fryer
Rich brownies with a crispy exterior and fudgy center, cooked quickly in the air fryer.
Steps
- 1
Preheat the air fryer to 160°C (320°F).
- 2
Grease an 18 cm (7 inch) square pan with butter and line with parchment paper.
- 3
Melt the butter and dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water (bain-marie). Let cool slightly, then stir in powdered sugar and beaten eggs until smooth.
- 4
Add flour and vanilla extract, mix just until incorporated. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- 5
Cook in the air fryer for 18-20 minutes, until the top is set but the center is still slightly soft. Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Shopping list
140 g unsalted butter (plus extra for greasing), 200 g dark chocolate 70%, 200 g powdered sugar, 3 eggs, 100 g all-purpose flour, 1-2 tsp vanilla extract
Recipe story
The brownie was created in the late 19th century in the United States at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago for a world's fair. The original recipe included chocolate, walnuts, and an apricot glaze. Over time, the brownie became a classic American dessert, adapted into countless variations, including this air fryer version for an exceptionally fudgy texture.
Ingredient Secrets
Sea salt
Sea salt, extracted from ocean waters by evaporation, was one of the most precious goods of antiquity, used both as food and as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid with salt, which is the origin of the word 'salary'. Salt roads connected entire civilizations, and in the Middle Ages, salt was so valuable it was called 'white gold'.
Vanilla
Vanilla, native to Mexico, was discovered by Spanish conquistadors who brought it to Europe in the 16th century. In Aztec culture, vanilla was used to flavor a royal cocoa drink. For centuries, hand-pollination was a closely guarded secret, and it wasn't until 1841 that a 12-year-old slave on Réunion discovered the method that allowed widespread cultivation.
