Air Fryer Lava Cake Recipe

two chocolate cakes in a white ramekins in a air fryer basket.

This Air Fryer Lava Cake with a molten chocolate centre is rich, decadent and is heavenly topped with ice cream. Ready in under 25 minutes, there is no flour!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword air fryer chocolate lava cake, air fryer lava cake

Prep Time 8

Cook Time 10

Servings Servings

Calories 462kcal

Author Maria Doss

Equipment

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter + more for greasing ramekins
3 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips I prefer Ghiradelli
1 egg, large
1 egg yolk, large
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cocoa powder plus more for dusting
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Prepare ramekins

Using a pastry brush, spread softened butter into the bottom and sides of two 6-ounce ramekins. Alternatively you can grease them a liberal coating of non-stick cooking spray.
Sprinkle some cocoa powder (or you can use all purpose flour) into the greased ramekins.
Gently shake, tap, and tilt the bowl until the sides and bottom is completely covered. Invert the ramekin over the sink and gently tap out any excess powder.

Make batter

Melt chocolate with butter - Combine the butter and chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 70 to 90 seconds, stirring every 20 seconds, until completely melted and smooth.
Beat eggs - Add egg, egg yolk, sugar, and salt into another medium bowl, Using an electric beater, beat on high speed until thick and pale yellow (60 to 90 seconds).
Finish batter - Add the warm melted chocolate mixture along with 1 tablespoon cocoa powder into the beaten eggs. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the mixture together until well combined. Evenly divide the batter into the prepared ramekins.

Air fry

Preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees.
When hot, place the ramekins into the basket and cook for 8 to 9 minutes, until tops are puffed and set.
Pro tip: Don't over cook! Cooking the lava cake for too long will result in a solid center rather than the desired gooey consistency, although it will still be delicious!
Open the basket and let cool for 3 to 4 minutes. Using a clean kitchen towel, gently remove the hot ramekins from the basket.
Tip: The ramekins are very hot after cooking. Use a folded dish towel to carefully remove the hot ramekins from the basket.
Serve from the ramekin or unmold lava cakes on a serving plate, top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and dig in.
To unmold- Run a thin knife around the cake to loosen the sides from the ramekin. Gently invert the ramekin on the plate, wait for 10 seconds before gently removing the ramekin.

Video

Notes

Pre heat - Ensure the air fryer is fully pre heated before cooking.

Use good quality chocolate - I love Ghirdaelli semi sweet chips for this air fryer lava cake recipe.

Don't over cook- Overcooking will cause the center to solidify and not be gooey, but still tasty!

Air fryer - I used instant vortex 6 quart air fryer and found 9 minutes perfect when cooking two cakes. If your cake doesn’t have enough lava, then bake a minute less next time.

Grease well - Greasing with a fair amount of butter helps for easier removal. Also don’t skip running a knife along their edges before inverting so they transfer with ease.

Nutrition