Easy Chocolate Air Fryer Brookies

I’ll admit, I didn’t know what brookies were until my kids begged me to make them after seeing them on TikTok. For years, I’d been making brownies and cookies separately, never thinking to combine them into one treat. When my daughter suggested we try making them in the air fryer, I thought she was kidding.

Turns out, air fryer brookies aren’t just possible – they’re actually easier than the traditional oven method. There’s no waiting forever for the oven to preheat, and they come out with perfect crispy edges and a gooey center every time. Even better? You can make a small batch when those late-night chocolate cravings hit.

What Kind of Chocolate Chips Should I Use?

Semi-sweet chocolate chips are the classic choice for brookies, but you’ve got plenty of options here. While the recipe calls for semi-sweet chips (which have around 60% cocoa content), you could swap them for milk chocolate chips for a sweeter treat or dark chocolate chips if you prefer less sweetness and more intense chocolate flavor. For best results, look for chocolate chips that hold their shape when baked – many baking brands like Ghirardelli, Nestlé, or Guittard are specifically designed for this. Just avoid using chocolate chunks or chopped chocolate bars in this recipe, since they can melt too quickly in the air fryer and create messy results.

Options for Substitutions

Making these air fryer brookies but missing something? Here are some helpful swaps you can try:

• Butter: You can use margarine in equal amounts, though the texture might be slightly different. For a dairy-free option, try coconut oil (use solid, not melted) – just note that it might add a slight coconut flavor.
• Brown sugar: Out of brown sugar? Mix 1 1/2 cups white sugar with 1 1/2 tablespoons molasses. In a pinch, white sugar alone works too, but you’ll miss some of that nice caramel flavor.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Feel free to use milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or even chopped chocolate bars. White chocolate chips work too if you want to mix things up!
• Cocoa powder: Both natural and Dutch-process cocoa powder work here. Just don’t skip it – it’s key for the chocolate cookie layer!
• Vanilla extract: If you’re out, you can use vanilla bean paste (same amount) or even almond extract (but use only 1/2 tablespoon as it’s stronger).
• Flour: All-purpose flour works best here, but you can use pastry flour for a more tender result. For gluten-free brookies, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making air fryer brookies is overcrowding the basket – work in small batches and leave enough space between each brookie to allow proper air circulation, which ensures even cooking and the perfect crispy-chewy texture. Getting the temperature right is crucial too – setting your air fryer too high can burn the outside while leaving the inside raw, so stick to 325°F and check them frequently during the first batch to nail down the exact timing for your specific air fryer model. A common mistake is overworking the dough when combining the cookie and brownie batters – you want distinct swirls of each flavor, so fold them together gently just until they’re barely mixed. For the best results, chill your dough for at least 30 minutes before air frying, as this helps prevent spreading and maintains those beautiful swirled patterns in your brookies.

What to Serve With Brookies?

These air fryer brookies (that perfect mix of brownies and cookies!) are begging to be served with a cold glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, try warming them up for about 10 seconds in the microwave – this makes them slightly gooey and perfect for topping with a drizzle of caramel sauce or hot fudge. For a fun dessert board, serve these brookies alongside some fresh berries and whipped cream, which help balance out their rich chocolate-cookie goodness. You can also turn them into mini ice cream sandwiches by placing a small scoop of your favorite ice cream between two brookies!

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These air fryer brookies stay yummy for about 5 days when kept in an airtight container at room temperature. I like to place a piece of bread in the container – it helps keep them soft and chewy, just like when they first came out of the air fryer!

Freeze: Want to save some for later? These brookies freeze really well for up to 3 months. Just put them in a freezer bag or container with wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’re perfect for when you need a quick chocolate fix!

Enjoy Later: When you’re ready to eat your frozen brookies, just let them thaw at room temperature for about an hour. If you want that fresh-baked taste, pop them in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 300°F – they’ll taste almost like they’re straight from the first bake!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	12-15 minutes
Total Time	22-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 4000-4500
• Protein: 40-50 g
• Fat: 230-250 g
• Carbohydrates: 500-550 g

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups softened butter
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 4 1/4 cups flour, used separately
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by preheating your air fryer oven to 350°F.

This ensures that it will reach the ideal temperature while you prepare the dough, making the baking process smooth and efficient.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

This process helps to incorporate air into the batter, resulting in a light and fluffy texture for the cookies.

Remember to scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are well mixed.

Step 3: Incorporate Eggs and Dry Ingredients

Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar, blending until well combined.

Gradually add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Make sure all components are fully integrated to achieve a consistent dough.

Step 4: Dividing and Flavoring the Doughs

Divide the dough into two equal portions.

Set one portion aside while leaving the other in the mixing bowl.

To the portion in the bowl, add the remaining flour and mix until combined.

Then fold in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed.

Replace this dough with the one you set aside and add cocoa powder to it, mixing on low until the color is homogeneous and well combined.

Step 5: Shape the Cookies

Take 1/4 cup of each dough and form them into separate balls.

Place the brownie dough ball and the chocolate chip dough ball together, rolling them into one large ball, maintaining the two distinct dough sides.

Flatten each dough ball slightly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, readying them for baking.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Place the baking sheet into the preheated air fryer oven and bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes.

Keep an eye on the cookies to ensure they don’t over-bake.

Once baked, allow them to rest and cool to touch before moving them from the parchment paper.

This resting period will help the cookies settle and develop a perfect texture on cooling.