These adorable bat-shaped brownie bites are one of those Halloween recipes that make everyone at the party say: “Oh my gosh, how cute are these?!” I started making them when my niece asked me to bring something “spooky but not scary” to her school party — and they were gone in minutes. Kids love the fun shape, and adults love how fudgy and rich they taste.
Making brownies in the air fryer is such a game changer. You get that classic chewy edge and gooey middle, but way faster and without heating up the whole kitchen. Plus, baking in small batches means you can make these fresh right before the party and they’ll still be warm.
The flavor? Deep, chocolatey, and just the right amount of sweet — kind of like the best bakery brownies, but bite-sized and way more festive. And since they’re cut into bats, everyone feels like they’re getting their own little piece of Halloween magic.
These come together in about 30 minutes, and they’re easy enough that kids can help cut out the shapes. So grab your bat cookie cutter, and let’s get spooky!
🥕 Ingredients Overview
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these cute bat brownies:
- Brownie batter – You can use your favorite boxed mix (I love Ghirardelli for extra fudginess) or homemade brownie batter if you have a go-to recipe. Either works perfectly here.
- Egg, oil, and water – Whatever your mix or recipe calls for. Pro Tip: Use melted butter instead of oil for richer flavor.
- Cooking spray or parchment – To keep the brownies from sticking in the air fryer basket.
- Bat cookie cutter – Look for one that’s about 3 inches wide. Metal cutters work better than plastic on brownies.
If you want to make these gluten-free, just swap in a gluten-free brownie mix. Dairy-free? Use oil or vegan butter and make sure your mix doesn’t contain milk powder.
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat your air fryer. Set it to 320°F (160°C) and let it heat up while you prep.
2. Mix the brownie batter. In a bowl, prepare your batter according to the box or recipe instructions. Pro Tip: Don’t overmix — you want it just combined for maximum fudginess.
3. Prepare your pan. Line a small square or rectangle pan (one that fits in your air fryer basket) with parchment paper and spray lightly with oil.
4. Pour and smooth. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Aim for about 1/2 inch thick — too thick and it won’t bake evenly.
5. Air fry the brownies. Place the pan in the basket and cook at 320°F for 14–18 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick — it should come out with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter.
6. Cool and cut. Let the brownies cool completely on a wire rack. Then, use your bat-shaped cutter to cut out as many bats as you can. Gently press down and wiggle to release clean shapes.
7. Serve and enjoy! Arrange your bats on a platter — you can even add candy eyes or dust with powdered sugar for a spooky touch.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfilling the pan — keep it to 1/2 inch thick for even cooking.
- Not preheating the air fryer — this helps the brownies bake evenly.
- Cutting while warm — they’ll fall apart if you don’t let them cool completely.
- Using a dull or too-small cutter — go for a sturdy metal bat shape.
🎨 Variations & Add-Ons
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free brownie mix.
- Healthier-ish: Substitute applesauce for half the oil in the batter.
- Extra Spooky: Add candy eyes, drizzle with red icing, or sprinkle edible glitter.
- Nutty Bats: Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter.
- Pumpkin Spice Bats: Swirl a little pumpkin puree and cinnamon into the batter before baking.
📦 Make Ahead & Storage
You can bake the brownies up to 2 days in advance — just store the uncut slab tightly wrapped at room temperature. Cut into bats the day you serve them for the cleanest shapes. Leftover bats can be kept in an airtight container for 3–4 days. You can also freeze them (uncut or cut) for up to a month — just thaw at room temp before serving.
🥗 Nutrition Highlights
Approximately 120–150 calories per bat (depending on size and mix).
Air Fryer Bat-Shaped Brownie Bites
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Prepare brownie batter according to package or recipe directions.
- Line a small pan with parchment and spray lightly.
- Pour batter into pan, spreading to about 1/2 inch thick.
- Air fry at 320°F for 14–18 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool completely before cutting with bat-shaped cutter.
- Decorate if desired and serve!
Notes
If you make these bat-shaped brownie bites, I’d love to hear how they turn out! They’re such a hit at every Halloween party I bring them to — fudgy, festive, and just the right amount of spooky. Feel free to get creative with decorations or even try one of the variations above. And if you’re craving another cute Halloween snack, check out my Air Fryer Mummy Hot Dogs — always a crowd-pleaser. Don’t forget to leave a comment below and tag me on social when you share your bats. Happy Halloween and happy air frying! 🎃
