These easy and delicious air fryer lava cakes are perfect for any occasion. This decadent chocolate dessert is simple to make, with a chocolatey center that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

If you own an air fryer, then you know how versatile it can be. Did you know that you can also use your air fryer to bake? This air fryer chocolate lava cake recipe is proof that your air fryer can do it all!

This rich and chocolatey dessert comes together in just a few minutes, and it’s sure to satisfy your chocolate craving. This lava cake is light and fluffy, with a gooey chocolate center that will have it quickly becoming one of your favorite desserts.

Just a few minutes and a few ingredients are all you need to create this classic dessert. And because it’s made in the air fryer, cleanup is a breeze.

This is a great recipe for entertaining because it can be made in advance and kept refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.

Chocolate lava cakes are the perfect dessert for a special occasion, such as Valentine’s Day, birthday parties, or anniversary celebrations. Molten lava cakes are typically served when they’re still warm and the chocolate is flowing out of the cake.

What is a Chocolate Lava Cake?

A chocolate lava cake, also known as molten chocolate cake, is a dessert made from chocolate cake batter that is baked in a ramekin and served with a gooey molten middle. It’s an easy and elegant dessert that is perfect for any occasion.

How to Make Chocolate Lava Cake in an Air Fryer

Supplies & Ingredients

4 oz chocolate baking bar – good quality chocolate
8 tablespoons or 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 large egg white
4 tablespoons white granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup all purpose flour
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Powdered sugar, raspberries, whip cream (optional toppings)

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees f.

In a double broiler or a microwave-safe bowl, melt your chocolate. If you are using a microwave, melt the melted butter and the chocolate bar, broken into pieces, together at 30 second intervals making sure to stir after each interval. You will only need to do this a few times. Then set aside.

In another medium-sized bowl, using a whisk, stand mixer, or hand-held mixer, beat eggs, white granulated sugar, and pure vanilla extract. Only mix until the mixture becomes frothy.

Pour the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and stir together. Then slowly incorporate the all-purpose flour and kosher salt. Stir just until the mixture is combined. Do NOT overmix the batter.

Lightly spray your ramekins with your favorite cooking spray.

Pour the batter into the ramekins, approximately 2/3^rdsfull.

Place ramekins in the air fryer basket and check at 5 minutes.

Test for doneness by looking at the sides of the cake. If there are starting to get crispy and the cakes have begun to pop up, then remove them from the air fryer using oven mitts or a thick dish towel.

Let the lava cake sit for a few minutes, then invert them onto a plate.

Dust with powdered sugar and serve with fresh berries, whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Tips for Making Chocolate Lava Cakes in the Air Fryer

Watching these in the air fryer is critical. You will want to check them after 5 minutes. All air fryers are different. If they overbake, they will still be editable, however, you won’t get the lava flow.
If you want a smaller cake, use three ramekins instead of two.
Be careful when melting the chocolate as if you over melt it, it will harden and you won’t be able to use it.
Use a chocolate bar when making this recipe. We tried using chocolate chips and you just don’t get the results. You are looking for a gooey chocolate flow.
This is definitely a sweeter and dense type of cake dessert. We used Ghirardelli’s Semi-Sweet baking bar when creating this recipe.

How Do I Know When My Air Fryer Molten Chocolate Lava Cake is Finished?

For air fryer chocolate lava cakes, you’ll know they’re finished when the cake is firm to the touch and the chocolate has melted and is oozing out. Serve immediately for best results!

What are Some Variations of a Chocolate Lava Cake?

There are lots of variations of a Chocolate Lava Cake. In addition to the molten chocolate center, ingredients such as: nutella, peppermint extract, peanut butter, raspberry jam

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Air Fryer Lava Cake Recipe

Yield: 2

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Cooling Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

These easy and delicious air fryer lava cakes are perfect for any occasion. This decadent chocolate dessert is simple to make, with a chocolatey center that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients

4 oz chocolate baking bar - good quality chocolate
8 tablespoons or 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 large egg white
4 tablespoons white granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup all purpose flour
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Powdered sugar, raspberries, whip cream (optional toppings)

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees f.

In another medium-sized bowl, using a whisk, stand mixer, or hand-held mixer, beat eggs, white granulated sugar, and pure vanilla extract. Only mix until the mixture becomes frothy.

Pour the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and stir together. Then slowly incorporate the all-purpose flour and kosher salt. Stir just until the mixture is combined. Do NOT overmix the batter.

Lightly spray your ramekins with your favorite cooking spray.

Pour the batter into the ramekins, approximately 2/3rds full.

Place ramekins in the air fryer basket and check at 5 minutes.

Let the lava cake sit for a few minutes, then invert them onto a plate.

Dust with powdered sugar and serve with fresh berries, whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Notes

Tips for Making Chocolate Lava Cakes in the Air Fryer

Watching these in the air fryer is critical. You will want to check them after 5 minutes. All air fryers are different. If they overbake, they will still be editable, however, you won’t get the lava flow.

If you want a smaller cake, use three ramekins instead of two.
Be careful when melting the chocolate as if you over melt it, it will harden and you won’t be able to use it.
Use a chocolate bar when making this recipe. We tried using chocolate chips and you just don’t get the results. You are looking for a gooey chocolate flow.
This is definitely a sweeter and dense type of cake dessert. We used Ghirardelli’s Semi-Sweet baking bar when creating this recipe.

How Do I Know When My Air Fryer Molten Chocolate Lava Cake is Finished?

For air fryer chocolate lava cakes, you'll know they're finished when the cake is firm to the touch and the chocolate has melted and is oozing out. Serve immediately for best results!

What are Some Variations of a Chocolate Lava Cake?

There are lots of variations of a Chocolate Lava Cake. In addition to the molten chocolate center, ingredients such as: nutella, peppermint extract, peanut butter, raspberry jam