Listen, I know what you’re thinking—healthy brownies? For kids? Trust me, I was skeptical too, until my picky six-year-old DEVOURED three of these in one sitting (oops!). These air fryer protein brownies kid friendly are my sneaky little secret—packed with oat flour, banana, and just enough dark chocolate chips to make them think they’re getting away with something. The best part? They come together in under 30 minutes, and my air fryer does all the heavy lifting. No more battling over veggies when dessert tastes this good and fuels their adventures. Every batch disappears faster than I can say “second helping!”
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Protein Brownies Kid Friendly
Let me count the ways these brownies will change your snack game:
- Crazy quick: From bowl to belly in under 30 minutes – perfect for sudden “I’m staaaarving” meltdowns
- Sneaky healthy: Packed with protein from almond butter and powder, plus fiber from oats (shh, they’ll never know)
- Less mess: One tiny bowl to wash since we’re using the air fryer instead of the whole oven
- No sugar crash: Sweetened naturally with banana and honey so they won’t bounce off the walls afterward
- Kid-approved: My toughest critics (ages 4 and 7) go nuts for these – and fight over the corner pieces!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Protein Brownies Kid Friendly
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these magical little squares of joy – I promise it’s all simple stuff you probably have already! Just make sure to measure carefully – baking’s more science than art, as my third-grade kitchen disaster proved (RIP, rock-hard first batch).
- 1 cup oat flour – Pack it lightly like you’re fluffing a pillow, not squishing it down
- 1/2 cup chocolate protein powder – The vanilla kind works too, but chocolate makes them extra decadent
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder – The darker the better for that rich brownie flavor
- 1/2 cup mashed banana – About one medium, super ripe one (those black-spotted ones are perfect!)
- 1/4 cup smooth almond butter – Give the jar a good stir first so it mixes in evenly
- 1/4 cup honey – Warm it slightly if it’s too thick to pour easily
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – The real stuff makes all the difference
- 1/2 tsp baking powder – Just enough lift without making them cakey
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips – Because what’s a brownie without melty chocolate pockets?
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these brownies! Here’s the short and sweet list:
- Air fryer – Any model works, but make sure it fits a small baking pan
- 6-inch round or square baking pan – The one you’d use for a single-serving dessert
- Mixing bowl – Just one medium-sized one to keep cleanup easy
- Spatula – For scraping every last bit of that delicious batter
How to Make Air Fryer Protein Brownies Kid Friendly
Okay, let’s get these brownies going! I promise it’s easier than convincing kids to eat their veggies. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a batch of fudgy, protein-packed goodness in no time.
Step 1: Preheat and Mix Dry Ingredients
First things first – preheat that air fryer to 320°F (160°C). While it’s warming up, grab your mixing bowl and whisk together the oat flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, and baking powder. No need to sift – just make sure there aren’t any big lumps hiding in there. The smell alone will have your little ones running to the kitchen!
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
Now for the fun part – mash that banana until it’s nice and smooth (a few tiny lumps are okay, promise). Stir in the almond butter, honey, and vanilla until everything’s beautifully combined. The batter will look thick and glossy – that’s exactly what we want! If it seems too stiff, a splash of milk will loosen it right up.
Step 3: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Here’s where the magic happens – gently fold in those dark chocolate chips. I like to reserve a few to sprinkle on top for extra oomph. Don’t overmix here – we want those melty chocolate pockets to surprise you in every bite!
Step 4: Cook and Test Doneness
Grease your baking pan well (trust me, you don’t want to lose any precious brownie to sticking!). Pour in the batter and smooth the top. Pop it in the air fryer for 15-18 minutes. The toothpick test is your best friend here – it should come out with just a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. Let them cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing – I know it’s hard to wait, but it’s worth it!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Protein Brownies Kid Friendly
After making roughly a zillion batches of these brownies (okay, maybe just dozens), I’ve learned all the tricks to make them foolproof. First, taste your batter – if your bananas weren’t super ripe, you might need an extra drizzle of honey. Watch them like a hawk after 15 minutes – air fryers can vary wildly, and overbaking turns them from fudgy to hockey pucks. The hardest but most important step? Letting them cool completely before slicing! I stick mine in the fridge for 10 minutes if the kids are getting impatient. And here’s my secret – they taste even better the next day when all the flavors have settled in!
Ingredient Substitutions
Ran out of almond butter? No problem! These brownies are super flexible. Swap in peanut butter for a classic flavor, or use sunflower seed butter for nut-free schools. Maple syrup works beautifully instead of honey (just use 1:1). Out of oat flour? Pulse rolled oats in your blender until powdery – I’ve done this in a pinch while my toddler “helped” by shouting “GO FASTER, MAMA!” For protein powder, vanilla or unflavored works too – just add an extra tablespoon of cocoa if you want that deep chocolate flavor. And those chocolate chips? Raisins or chopped dates make a surprisingly delicious swap when we’re feeling extra wholesome!
Serving and Storing Air Fryer Protein Brownies Kid Friendly
Here’s how we do brownie time at my house – I cut them into small squares (about 8 per batch) because let’s be honest, the kids will ask for seconds anyway! They’re fantastic slightly warm with a cold glass of milk, or my personal favorite – crumbled over Greek yogurt with fresh berries for a protein-packed breakfast. Store any leftovers (ha!) in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or pop them in the fridge for 3-4 days. Pro tip: They freeze beautifully too! Just wrap individual squares in parchment and toss in a freezer bag for up to a month – perfect for lunchbox surprises.
Nutritional Information
Just so you know – these numbers are estimates since ingredients can vary (especially how generous you are with those chocolate chips!). Each fudgy square clocks in at about 120 calories, packs a solid 6g of protein to keep little tummies full, and contains 8g of sugar – way better than store-bought treats! The oat flour and almond butter give each serving 2g of fiber too – bonus points for happy digestion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular flour instead of oat flour?
Absolutely! All-purpose flour works in a pinch – just use 3/4 cup instead of 1 cup oat flour since it absorbs differently. The texture will be slightly less chewy but still delicious. I’ve even used whole wheat flour when we ran out of oats!
How do I make these nut-free for school snacks?
Easy swap – replace the almond butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini. Just be sure to check your protein powder ingredients too! My daughter’s best friend has a nut allergy, so this is our go-to version for playdates.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Oh honey, you’re speaking my language! These freeze like a dream. Slice them first, then wrap individually in parchment paper before tossing in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for a month – perfect for sneaking into lunchboxes or emergency snack attacks.
Why did my brownies turn out dry?
Ah, the air fryer can be tricky! Next time, check them at 12 minutes – every model runs a bit different. Also, make sure your banana was nice and ripe – underripe ones don’t add enough moisture. A teaspoon of applesauce can help rescue dry batter too!
Final Thoughts
Now go make some magic happen in that air fryer! I can’t wait to hear how your crew goes wild for these brownies. Snap a pic of those chocolatey grins and tag me – nothing makes my day more than seeing other families fall in love with this recipe like mine did!
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17-Minute Air Fryer Protein Brownies Kid Friendly Delight
- Total Time: 28 mins
- Yield: 8 brownies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and healthy protein brownies made in an air fryer, perfect for kids.
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup protein powder
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup mashed banana
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Mix oat flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, and baking powder in a bowl.
- Add mashed banana, almond butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Stir well.
- Fold in dark chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into a greased baking pan that fits in the air fryer.
- Cook for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool before slicing.
Notes
- Use a toothpick to check if brownies are done.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more honey if needed.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 18 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American