Description
These quick and easy chocolate lava cakes cook in your air fryer in just 10 minutes! Using cake mix as a base, they create a perfect molten center every time – just like restaurant versions but so much easier.
Ingredients
1 cup chocolate cake mix (about ⅓ of a 15.25 oz box)
1 large egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons chocolate chips
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted (for greasing ramekins)
1 tablespoon cocoa powder (for dusting ramekins)
Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
Brush the inside of two 4-oz ramekins with melted butter, then dust with cocoa powder.
Preheat your air fryer to 330°F (165°C) for about 3 minutes.
In a medium bowl, combine the cake mix, egg, oil, and water. Whisk until smooth and no lumps remain.
Fill each ramekin about halfway with batter. Place 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips in the center of each, then cover with remaining batter, dividing evenly between ramekins.
Place the ramekins in your air fryer basket, making sure they’re level. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the edges are set but the center still looks slightly soft.
Let the cakes rest in the ramekins for 1 minute after removing from the air fryer.
Run a butter knife around the edge of each ramekin, then carefully invert onto serving plates. Gently lift the ramekin to release the cake.
Dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
The butter-cocoa prep is essential for ensuring your cakes release cleanly from the ramekins.
4-oz ramekins are ideal for this recipe. If using larger ones, you may need to adjust the recipe and cooking time.
Start checking at 7 minutes the first time you make these, as air fryer models vary in temperature and cooking time.
For extra richness, replace 1 tablespoon of the water with brewed coffee to enhance the chocolate flavor.
Use high-quality chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars for the best molten center.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lava cake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 240 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: air fryer chocolate lava cakes, cake mix lava cakes, easy lava cakes, quick dessert, molten chocolate cake, air fryer dessert