Confession time: I eat dessert first. There, I said it! But here’s the thing—after one too many post-binge guilt trips, I set out to create a brownie I could devour without regret. Enter my air fryer protein brownies from scratch, the holy grail of my kitchen experiments. They’re fudgy, rich, and secretly packed with enough protein to make my gym buddy jealous. (She thought they were “regular” brownies—I’ll never tell.) The air fryer works magic here, giving them that crackly top and gooey center in under 20 minutes. No fancy mixer, no oven preheating forever—just quick, wholesome indulgence. Trust me, your sweet tooth won’t know what hit it.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Protein Brownies
Let me count the ways these beauties will steal your heart (and maybe your snack drawer):
- Quick fix magic: From bowl to belly in under 30 minutes—no waiting for the oven to heat up
- Guilt-free indulgence: Packed with 8g protein per square, they’re basically gym fuel in dessert form
- That perfect fudge factor: Crispy tops with centers so gooey, you’ll swear there’s molten chocolate inside
- No sugar crash: Sweetened naturally with banana and just enough maple syrup to make you smile
My air fryer protein brownies from scratch are the snack-time superhero you didn’t know you needed—they even pass the “kid test” in my house (shhh!).
Ingredients for Air Fryer Protein Brownies from Scratch
Here’s what you’ll raid from your pantry for these miracle brownies—nothing fancy, I promise! Every ingredient pulls double duty for maximum flavor and nutrition:
- 1 cup oat flour (whiz old-fashioned oats in your blender if you don’t have any)
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder – the darker, the better for that deep chocolate punch
- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder – my secret weapon (I use whey, but plant-based works too)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder – just enough lift without making them cakey
- 1/4 tsp salt – trust me, it makes the chocolate sing
- 1/2 cup mashed banana – about 1 medium, super ripe (those brown speckles? Gold!)
- 1/4 cup almond milk – or any milk you’ve got, but almond keeps it extra moist
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup – skip the sugar-free stuff; we want real flavor here
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – the good stuff, if you have it
See? Nothing weird or hard-to-find—just simple staples ready to become your new obsession. If you are curious about the general health benefits of adding more protein to your diet, check out this guide on daily protein intake.
Equipment You’ll Need
Gather these trusty kitchen soldiers—you probably already have them lounging in your drawers:
- Air fryer (any model works, but mine’s a basic 5-quart)
- Small mixing bowl – big enough for messy stirring without flour fireworks
- 6-inch round baking dish – or any oven-safe dish that fits in your air fryer basket
- Spatula – for scraping every last lick of that glorious batter
That’s it! No fancy gadgets required—just tools that earn their counter space. If you are looking for other great air fryer recipes, check out these air fryer churro bites.
How to Make Air Fryer Protein Brownies from Scratch
Okay, let’s get messy—this is where the magic happens! I’ve made these air fryer protein brownies from scratch so many times, I could do it with my eyes closed (but don’t try that with cocoa powder—trust me). Follow these steps, and you’ll be biting into fudgy perfection before you know it.
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
First things first: fire up that air fryer to 350°F (180°C)—takes about 3 minutes in mine. While it’s heating, grab your baking dish and give it a quick grease job. I use coconut oil spray, but butter works too—just get every nook so your brownies don’t stick. Pro tip: Cut a parchment circle for the bottom if you’re extra paranoid like me!
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In your mixing bowl, whisk together the oat flour, cocoa powder, protein powder, baking powder, and salt. No sifter? No problem—just use a fork to break up any cocoa lumps. You want this as smooth as your post-brownie satisfaction. (See what I did there?)
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
Now for the fun part! Mash that banana until it’s smoother than a jazz playlist—a few tiny lumps are okay, but aim for pudding texture. Stir in the almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla until it looks like liquid gold. Pour this into your dry ingredients and mix gently—just until combined. Overmixing? That’s how you get tough brownies, and we’re not about that life.
Step 4: Bake in Air Fryer
Pour that glorious batter into your prepared dish and slide it into the air fryer basket. Set your timer for 15 minutes—but peek at the 12-minute mark if your air fryer runs hot. Done-ness test: A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). If it’s too jiggly, give it 2 more minutes. Let them cool for 10 minutes—I know, the torture!—before slicing into squares of pure joy.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Protein Brownies
After burning (literally) through a dozen test batches, here’s what I’ve learned about nailing these air fryer protein brownies from scratch every single time:
- Mix with a light hand: Stir just until the flour disappears—overmixing makes them tough. A few lumps? That’s character!
- Tweak the sweetness: Want them richer? Add an extra tbsp maple syrup. Going low-sugar? The banana does most of the work already.
- Throw in the good stuff: Chocolate chips, walnuts, or a swirl of peanut butter take these from great to “hide-the-pan” amazing.
- Watch your air fryer: They go from perfect to overbaked fast—check early if your model runs hot!
These little tricks turn good brownies into the kind you’ll make weekly (speaking from experience here). For more tips on using your appliance effectively, you might want to read up on general air fryer best practices.
Ingredient Substitutions
Ran out of something? No panic—here’s how to tweak these air fryer protein brownies from scratch without losing that fudgy magic:
- Oat flour: Swap with almond flour 1:1, but add 1 extra tbsp milk—it’s thirstier!
- Maple syrup: Honey works beautifully, or use agave if you’re vegan
- Banana: 1/2 cup applesauce or pumpkin puree can pinch-hit in a bind
Warning: Protein powders vary wildly in absorbency. If your batter looks Sahara-dry, splash in more milk 1 tsp at a time. And whatever you do—don’t skip the cocoa. That’s just sad.
Storing and Reheating
These air fryer protein brownies from scratch disappear fast at my house, but if by some miracle you have leftovers, here’s how to keep them fudgy: Tuck them into an airtight container (I use a glass Tupperware with the lid snapped tight). They’ll stay fresh for 3 days on the counter—if they last that long! For a warm, just-baked feel, zap a square in the microwave for 10 seconds or pop it back in the air fryer at 300°F for 2 minutes. Pro tip: Hide a few in the freezer for emergency cravings—they thaw beautifully!
FAQ About Air Fryer Protein Brownies from Scratch
Let’s tackle those burning questions (pun intended) about these air fryer protein brownies from scratch—I’ve heard ‘em all from my taste-testers!
- “Can I use whey protein?” Absolutely! That’s my go-to. Plant-based powders work too, but they might need extra liquid—add milk 1 tsp at a time if the batter feels stiff.
- “Why are my brownies dry?” Two likely culprits: overbaking (check at 12 minutes!) or overmixing. Stir just until combined—batter should look shaggy, not smooth.
- “Can I double the recipe?” Yes, but bake in two batches—air fryers hate overcrowding. Or use a bigger dish and add 5 extra minutes.
- “No banana—help!” Swap in applesauce or pumpkin puree. The moisture’s what counts!
Still stuck? Slide into my DMs—I’ve made every mistake so you don’t have to! If you are looking for other sweet treats made in the air fryer, try these air fryer donut holes.
Nutritional Information
Let’s talk numbers—because these air fryer protein brownies from scratch are basically dessert in workout gear! (Values are estimates and vary by ingredients—your banana’s size and protein powder choice change things slightly.) Per gloriously fudgy square:
- 120 calories – guilt-free math I can get behind
- 8g protein – like eating a protein bar that actually tastes good
- 18g carbs (3g fiber) – enough energy to power through your afternoon slump
- 2g fat – practically a salad, right? (Okay, maybe not—but still!)
See? Decadence doesn’t have to derail your goals. Now go enjoy that second brownie—you’ve earned it!
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“8g Protein Air Fryer Brownies From Scratch – Irresistible & Fudgy”
- Total Time: 28 mins
- Yield: 8 brownies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make delicious protein brownies from scratch using your air fryer. These brownies are rich, fudgy, and packed with protein.
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup mashed banana
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
- In a bowl, mix oat flour, cocoa powder, protein powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Add mashed banana, almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
- Pour the batter into a greased baking dish that fits in your air fryer.
- Air fry for 15-18 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool before slicing.
Notes
- Use a toothpick to check if the brownies are done.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- For extra richness, add chocolate chips before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 18 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American