💖 Air Fryer Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

This is one of those air fryer desserts that’ll have you saying, “Wait, I made THAT at home?!” These air fryer molten chocolate lava cakes are rich, gooey, and oh-so-impressive — but they come together with just a handful of pantry staples and bake up in less than 10 minutes.

I first tried making these on a whim for date night, and let’s just say… they disappeared faster than I expected. The centers are warm and melty, the outsides have a light crisp edge, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top? Game over.

The air fryer gives these lava cakes the perfect texture without needing a hot oven or fussy timing. It’s all about quick heat and consistent cooking — just what you need to nail that molten center.

Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner, hosting friends, or just want a weeknight treat, this recipe is quick, reliable, and guaranteed to impress. Let’s get into it!

🥕 Ingredients Overview

Here’s what you’ll need to make molten chocolate lava cakes in the air fryer:

• Semi-sweet chocolate – Choose a quality bar (like Ghirardelli or Lindt) and chop it up. Chocolate chips work too, but bars melt more smoothly.
• Butter – Unsalted is best so you control the salt level.
• Eggs + Egg yolks – The combo gives structure and that iconic gooey center.
• Powdered sugar – Dissolves smoothly into the batter for a fine texture.
• All-purpose flour – Just a little! This helps the outer cake set up nicely.
• Salt + vanilla extract – Flavor enhancers that make the chocolate pop.
• Cooking spray + ramekins – You’ll need 6-ounce ramekins for the perfect shape and cook.

Pro Tip: To make these gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Melt the chocolate and butter

• In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate and 1/2 cup butter together in 20-second bursts, stirring in between until smooth.

2. Mix the batter

• Stir in 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 eggs, 2 egg yolks, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Then gently fold in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour until just combined.

3. Prepare the ramekins

• Spray 2-3 ramekins with nonstick spray and lightly dust with cocoa powder to prevent sticking.

4. Fill and preheat

• Divide the batter evenly among ramekins. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes.

5. Air fry

• Place ramekins in the air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F for 8-9 minutes. The tops should look set, but a gentle jiggle tells you the center is still molten.

6. Cool and serve

• Let the cakes rest for 1 minute. Run a knife around the edge, flip onto a plate, and serve warm with ice cream or berries.

Pro Tip: If you’re unsure, test one cake first — it should ooze when cut but not collapse.

❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overbaking — watch closely after 8 minutes.
• Skipping ramekin prep — spray + cocoa prevents sticking.
• Using cold eggs — room temp helps them mix better.
• Not preheating the air fryer — it affects the cook time.

🎨 Variations & Add-Ons

• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Small Batch: Halve the recipe for 1–2 lava cakes.
• Dark Chocolate: Use bittersweet chocolate for a deeper flavor.
• Peanut Butter Core: Add a tsp of peanut butter in the center before baking.
• Festive Flair: Add a heart stencil and powdered sugar for Valentine’s Day.
• Boozy Boost: Stir a splash of Baileys or espresso liqueur into the batter.

📦 Make Ahead & Storage

You can prep the batter and fill the ramekins a few hours ahead — just cover and chill. When ready, let them sit at room temp for 10–15 minutes before air frying.

Leftover lava cakes (if that ever happens!) can be stored in the fridge for 1–2 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer at 300°F for 3–4 minutes to warm the center again.

🧇 Optional: Nutrition Highlights

Each cake contains approximately 400–450 calories, depending on chocolate brand and portion size.

Air Fryer Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

These molten chocolate lava cakes are rich, gooey, and irresistibly easy thanks to the air fryer. Perfect for date night or a decadent dessert!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 9 minutes mins

Total Time 19 minutes mins

Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chopped
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Cooking spray
• Cocoa powder for dusting

Equipment

• Air fryer

Method

 

1. Melt chocolate and butter in microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals.
2. Stir in powdered sugar, eggs, egg yolks, salt, and vanilla.
3. Fold in flour until just combined.
4. Spray and dust ramekins.
5. Divide batter evenly.
6. Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
7. Cook ramekins at 375°F for 8-9 minutes.
8. Let sit 1 minute, then unmold and serve.

Notes

Batter can be made ahead and refrigerated. Use gluten-free flour for a GF version. Best served warm.

Estimated Calories: 425 per cake

An automated tool is used to calculate nutritional information. Accuracy not guaranteed.

If you give these air fryer molten lava cakes a try, I’d love to hear how they turned out! They’re a total showstopper with minimal effort — and once you’ve mastered them, you might just find yourself making them on repeat. Leave a comment, tag me in your sweet creations, and don’t forget to check out my air fryer brownies for another rich, chocolatey treat!