Decadent air fryer chocolate lava cakes with gooey centers—easy, indulgent, and ready in under 25 minutes! A perfect dessert for two.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Chocolate lava cakes have a restaurant-worthy appeal, but this air fryer version makes them incredibly accessible:

Ready in just over 20 minutes

Rich and melty with a perfectly gooey center
Ideal for small-batch desserts (makes 2)
Requires no oven—just your air fryer

Simple ingredients, maximum indulgence

Ingredients

⅓ cup semisweet chocolate chips
¼ cup unsalted butter

½ cup powdered sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk

½ teaspoon vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Non-stick spray or butter (for greasing ramekins)

Directions

Preheat Air Fryer:
Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 6-ounce ramekins with butter or non-stick spray.
Melt Chocolate and Butter:
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and butter. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, then continue in 15-second intervals until smooth.

Add Wet Ingredients:
Whisk in powdered sugar until fully incorporated. Then add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
Incorporate Flour:
Stir in flour just until no streaks remain—do not overmix.
Fill the Ramekins:
Divide the batter evenly between the ramekins. Cover each with foil to prevent over-browning.

Air Fry:
Place ramekins in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8–10 minutes. Remove foil and cook for another 2–4 minutes, until edges are firm but centers remain soft.
Rest and Serve:
Let rest for 5 minutes. Carefully invert each ramekin onto a plate. Serve warm—optionally with whipped cream, berries, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Servings And Timing

Servings: 2

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes

Calories: Approx. 456 kcal per serving

Variations

Peanut Butter Lava: Add a teaspoon of peanut butter in the center before cooking.
Spiced Version: Mix in a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne pepper for a subtle kick.

Mint Chocolate: Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the batter.
Berry Boost: Top with fresh raspberries or a berry compote.
White Chocolate: Substitute semisweet chips with white chocolate for a twist.

Storage/Reheating

Storage:

Best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in the fridge for 1 day.

Reheating:

Reheat gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. The center may be less molten after chilling.

FAQs

Can I use ramekins in the air fryer?

Yes, most 6-ounce ceramic or glass ramekins are air fryer-safe. Just make sure they fit in your basket.

Do I have to use foil?

Foil helps prevent the tops from overcooking. Remove it near the end for browning.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes—just cook in batches if your air fryer can’t fit all at once.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Use dairy-free chocolate and a plant-based butter substitute.

What type of chocolate works best?

Semisweet is ideal, but you can use dark or bittersweet chocolate if you prefer a deeper flavor.

Why is my center not gooey?

It may be overcooked. Try reducing the cook time slightly and check at the lower range.

Can I use cupcake liners or muffin tins instead of ramekins?

Only if they are oven- and air fryer-safe. Silicone molds may work well too.

Do I need to grease the ramekins?

Yes, this ensures the cakes release easily when inverted.

Can I make the batter ahead of time?

Yes—refrigerate the filled ramekins and cook when ready, adding 1–2 extra minutes.

What toppings pair best?

Vanilla ice cream, powdered sugar, whipped cream, or berries all complement beautifully.

Conclusion

Decadent Air Fryer Chocolate Lava Cakes are a game-changing dessert—rich, elegant, and easy enough for any day of the week. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just treating yourself, this molten masterpiece is guaranteed to impress with minimal effort and maximum chocolate payoff.

Decadent Air Fryer Chocolate Lava Cakes

Author: Chef Clara
Total Time: 22 minutes

Yield: 2 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Decadent air fryer chocolate lava cakes with gooey centers—easy, indulgent, and ready in under 25 minutes! A perfect dessert for two.

Ingredients

Scale

⅓ cup semisweet chocolate chips
¼ cup unsalted butter
½ cup powdered sugar

1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

⅛ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Non-stick spray or butter for greasing ramekins

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 6-ounce ramekins.
Melt chocolate chips and butter in microwave; stir until smooth.
Whisk in powdered sugar, egg, egg yolk, vanilla, and salt.

Stir in flour just until combined.
Divide batter into ramekins and cover with foil.
Air fry 8–10 mins, remove foil, then cook 2–4 mins more.

Let rest 5 mins, invert onto plates, and serve warm.

Notes

Don’t overcook or the centers won’t stay molten.
Serve with whipped cream, ice cream, or berries for extra indulgence.

You can prepare ahead and refrigerate batter in ramekins until ready to air fry.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes

Category: Dessert
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American