Oh my goodness, you have to try these mini air fryer salted caramel brownies! I’ve been obsessed with perfecting this recipe ever since my friend Sarah begged me to make a quick dessert for her impromptu girls’ night. After maybe a dozen test batches (someone had to do the delicious research!), I finally nailed the perfect balance – fudgy centers, crackly tops, and that irresistible sweet-salty caramel swirl. What I love most is how they’re ready in under 30 minutes – no oven preheating drama! The air fryer gives them this magical crispy edge while keeping the centers gloriously gooey. Trust me, once you try these little squares of joy, you’ll never look at boxed brownie mixes the same way again.
Why You’ll Love These Mini Air Fryer Salted Caramel Brownies
Let me tell you why these brownies will become your new go-to dessert:
- They’re crazy fast – from bowl to belly in under 30 minutes!
- That salted caramel swirl makes them taste like something from a fancy bakery
- The air fryer gives them the perfect texture – crispy edges with fudgy centers
- Small batch means no leftovers tempting you all week (though you might make a second batch anyway!)
- Super easy clean-up compared to traditional oven baking
Seriously, what’s not to love? These little guys have saved my dessert emergencies more times than I can count! If you are looking for other quick air fryer desserts, check out these air fryer apple crumble cups.
Ingredients for Mini Air Fryer Salted Caramel Brownies
Here’s what you’ll need to make these little bites of heaven – and trust me, every ingredient counts!
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled, don’t pack it down
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder – my favorite is Dutch-processed for that deep chocolate flavor
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – just a pinch to balance the sweetness
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted – let it cool slightly so it doesn’t cook the egg
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar – this is the sweet spot for our mini batch
- 1 large egg – room temperature works best
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract – the good stuff, not imitation!
- 2 tablespoons salted caramel sauce – homemade or store-bought, but make sure it’s thick
See? Simple pantry staples that come together to create something magical. Now let’s get mixing! Understanding the science behind why baking works can help ensure success.
How to Make Mini Air Fryer Salted Caramel Brownies
Okay, let’s dive into the fun part – making these irresistible brownies! Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll be rewarded with the most decadent little treats.
Mixing the Batter
First things first – grab two bowls. In one, whisk together your flour, cocoa powder, and salt until they’re best friends. In the other bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla, whisking until it’s smooth and glossy. Now, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture – don’t overdo it! A few streaks of flour are fine; overmixing leads to tough brownies, and we want these babies fudgy.
Adding the Salted Caramel
Pour your batter into a greased mini baking dish, then comes the magic – the caramel! Drizzle it generously over the top. For bonus points, take a knife and gently swirl some caramel into the batter, leaving some on top for that gorgeous finish.
Air Frying the Brownies
Pop your dish into the preheated air fryer (320°F is perfect!) and let it work its magic for 12-15 minutes. The edges should look set, but the center might still seem slightly soft – that’s perfect! Stick a toothpick in; it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not clean. Remember, these continue cooking as they cool, so resist the urge to overbake! For more air fryer tips, check out these air fryer roast chicken guides.
Tips for Perfect Mini Air Fryer Salted Caramel Brownies
After making these brownies more times than I can count (what can I say? Research is delicious!), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks:
- That toothpick test is your best friend – pull them out when it has a few moist crumbs, not clean!
- Let them cool completely before cutting – I know it’s hard, but they firm up beautifully.
- For perfect caramel distribution, warm the sauce slightly so it drizzles easily.
- Use a light-colored metal pan – dark pans can make the edges overbrown.
- If your air fryer runs hot, check at 10 minutes to prevent overbaking.
Follow these simple tips, and you’ll get perfect brownies every single time! If you are interested in other brownie variations, try these air fryer pecan brownies.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Life happens, and sometimes you need to tweak recipes! Here’s how to adapt these brownies without losing that amazing taste:
- Gluten-free? Swap the flour 1:1 with your favorite gluten-free blend (I like ones with xanthan gum already added).
- Dairy-free? Vegan butter works great, and coconut oil can sub for butter in a pinch.
- No caramel sauce? Melt 2 tbsp of soft caramels with a pinch of sea salt and 1 tsp cream or milk.
- Egg-free? A flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water) does surprisingly well here!
See? Plenty of ways to make these work for you while keeping that fudgy, caramel magic! For more ingredient substitution ideas, you might look into resources on baking substitutions.
Serving and Storing Mini Air Fryer Salted Caramel Brownies
Oh my stars, these brownies are absolute heaven served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top – that hot-cold, sweet-salty combo will make your taste buds dance! If (and that’s a big IF) you have leftovers, pop them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious for about 3 days, though I’ve never actually tested that theory since they disappear so fast in my house!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on what’s in these delicious brownies – but remember, these numbers are just estimates! Your exact counts might vary depending on the specific ingredients you use. Each mini brownie comes in at about 220 calories with that perfect balance of chocolatey goodness and caramel sweetness. Not too shabby for such an indulgent treat!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Absolutely! I’ve used everything from fancy artisanal caramel to the squeeze bottle from the grocery store. Just make sure it’s thick enough – if it’s too runny, pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes first.
Can I double this recipe?
You bet! Double all ingredients and use a slightly larger baking dish. Just add 3-5 minutes to the cook time and keep a close eye on it. The toothpick test never lies!
Why did my brownies turn out cakey?
Oh no! That usually means you overmixed the batter or baked them too long. Next time, mix just until combined and pull them out when the toothpick has a few moist crumbs.
Can I make these without an air fryer?
Sure thing! Bake them in a 350°F oven for about 18-20 minutes instead. They won’t get quite the same crispy edges, but they’ll still be delicious!
Final Thoughts
There you have it – my foolproof recipe for the most irresistible mini air fryer salted caramel brownies! I’d love to hear how yours turn out – tag me if you share photos, and don’t forget to rate the recipe if you love it as much as I do. Now go enjoy those warm, gooey bites of happiness!
Print
Irresistible Mini Air Fryer Salted Caramel Brownies in 30 Minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Mini air fryer salted caramel brownies are a quick and delicious treat. They combine rich chocolate with a touch of salted caramel for a perfect balance of sweet and salty.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons salted caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring until just mixed.
- Pour batter into a greased mini baking dish.
- Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the top.
- Place the dish in the air fryer and cook for 12-15 minutes.
- Let cool before slicing.
Notes
- Use a toothpick to check doneness—it should come out with a few crumbs.
- For extra caramel flavor, swirl some into the batter before cooking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: mini air fryer brownies, salted caramel brownies, easy dessert, air fryer recipe