Air Fryer Copycat Chili’s Molten Lava Cake — Ever wonder what the secret to Chili’s Molten Lava Cake is? You’ll want to try this copycat recipe. It’s so easy! And if you make it in your air fryer, it only takes 20 minutes. Get ready for an indulgent dessert that will be gone before you know it!

Air Fryer Copycat Chili’s Molten Lava Cake, the perfect dessert, with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a splash of fresh raspberries, creates an ideal dessert.
There is nothing like a fudgy, rich chocolate lava cake, and it’s done in no time with the help of the air fryer. This air fryer lava cake is a copycat version of the trendy dessert at Chilis. Where my kids go crazy for dessert, and it’s one of the main reasons we go to Chilis. So, today, with the air fryer’s help, I recreated it in our house.
The only problem you will have is sticking to just eating one. They are perfect, perfect snacks. I love serving these to my guests. They look so elegant when they come, but they were prepared in less than 20 minutes.
How To Make Molten Lava Cakes
Preparing the Ramekins:
Before filing, an essential part of this entire baking project is to liberally grease the ramekins with both non-stick (or olive oil) cooking spray and a dusting of cocoa powder.
Ramekins are fantastic for the air fryer. This is the set that I usually use (affiliate link)
Air Fryer Safe Ramekins
Check Out Our Video on Making a Lava Cake In The Air Fryer!
Air Fryer Copycat Chili’s Molten Lava Cake
These cakes are easy to make, and best yet, they are single-serve so that everyone can have their own. There is nothing like a chocolate lava cake, especially the air fryer version, which only takes minutes to cook.
Here are some pictures that will help guide you in making them in your air fryer.
You will soon have an excellent lava cake for a fantastic dessert. Toppings are optional.
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Copycat Chili’s Molten Lava Cake

- Bittersweet Chocolate
- Butter
- Eggs & Egg Yolks
- Powdered Sugar
- Flour
- Optional: Your choice of toppings and garnishes
How To Make Air Fryer Copycat Chili’s Molten Lava Cake

Grease 6 – 6 oz ramekins. Microwave chocolate and butter in a large microwavable bowl for 2 minutes or until butter is melted.

Stir until chocolate is melted. Microwave for an additional 30 seconds if needed.

Add powdered sugar and flour and mix well.

Add whole eggs and egg yolks. Whisk until well-combined.

Divide evenly between the greased ramekins, filling about 3/4 full.

Place ramekins in an air fryer basket and cook at 370ºF, air fryer setting, for 7 to 10 minutes. Allow sitting for 1 minute.
Run a knife around the edges to loosen the cakes. Invert on a plate and tap the bottom of the ramekin gently to release.
Garnish with powdered sugar and berries and serve immediately with ice cream

Some Great Ideas for Lava Cake Toppings:
While I topped the lava cakes with vanilla ice cream and fresh raspberries, there are so many options that you can choose from. Here are some of the most popular:
- Powdered sugar–this is a great and easy way to jazz up your lava cake.
- Chocolate sauce-perfect with the chocolate lava. Great for a chocolate lover.
- The caramel-The sweetness of the Caramel enhances the chocolate lava cake.
- Sea Salt
- Ice Cream-The perfect combination of cake and ice cream; some of my favorites are vanilla, chocolate, and chocolate chip.
- Whipped Cream-Try was making some homemade whipped cream. That and the chocolate from the lava cake are delicious.
- Fresh Berries
- Nuts
Some Tips For Making The Perfect Lava Cake in the Air Fryer
- One of the most important things is to grease and use cocoa powder to prepare the ramekins. When you are finished cooking the lava cake, it pops out. Otherwise, it will stick.
- Use bittersweet chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate. Otherwise, it will be either too sweet or too bitter, I used semi-sweet chocolate chips, which I had in the pantry, and they were delicious.
- Remember, all air fryers cook at different times, so check the lava cakes halfway to judge how they are doing. In the last few baking minutes, I checked several times, so your lava cake comes out perfectly.
Some Common Questions Asked About This Recipe
Can I Use Gluten-Free Flour?
Switch the same amount in the recipe, just switching out all-purpose to gluten-free flour.
How Do You Know When The Air Fryer Lava Cake Is Done?
You will need to watch this air fryer dessert. As soon as the edges are set, remove the lava cakes. Otherwise, you will end up overcooking the lava cakes. You want the center to be set but not fully cooked.
How Do You Store Any Leftovers?
If you have any leftover lava cakes, let them cool to room temperature, and then cover and set them in the refrigerator. To reheat, either place in the microwave or air fryer for a couple of minutes.
Can I Prepare These Ahead Of Time?
I usually make them and then place them in the refrigerator. Just cover them until you are ready to air fryer them.
Some Other Great Air Fryer Dessert Recipes
Air Fryer Copycat Chili's Molten Lava Cake

Air Fryer Copycat Chili's Molten Lava Cake -- Ever wonder what the secret to Chili's Molten Lava Cake is? You'll want to try this copycat recipe. It's so easy! And if you make it in your air fryer, it only takes 20 minutes. Get ready for an indulgent dessert that will be gone before you know it!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
- 10 tablespoons butter
- 3 whole eggs
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Optional Garnishes: Powdered sugar, vanilla ice cream, raspberries, etc.
Instructions
- Grease 6 – 6 oz ramekins.
- Microwave chocolate and butter in a large microwavable bowl on high for 2 minutes or until butter is melted.
- Stir until chocolate is melted. Microwave for an additional 30 seconds if needed.
- Add powdered sugar and flour and mix well.
- Add whole eggs and egg yolks. Whisk until well-combined.
- Divide evenly between the greased ramekins, filling about 3/4 full.
- Place ramekins in an air fryer basket and cook at 370ºF, air fryer setting, for 7 to 10 minutes. Allow to sit for 1 minute.
- Run a knife around the edges to loosen the cakes.
- Invert on a plate and tap the bottom of the ramekin gently to release.
- Garnish with powdered sugar and berries and serve immediately with ice cream
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
Some Tips For Making The Perfect Lava Cake in the Air Fryer
- One of the most important things is to grease and use cocoa powder to prepare the ramekins. This way, when you are finished cooking the lava cake, it pops out. Otherwise, it will stick.
- Use bittersweet chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate. Otherwise, it will be either too sweet or too bitter, I used semi-sweet chocolate chips, which I had in the pantry, and they were delicious.
- Remember, all air fryers cook at different times, so check the lava cakes halfway to judge how they are doing. I usually check several times in the last few baking minutes, so your lava cake comes out perfectly.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 784Total Fat: 46gSaturated Fat: 27gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 247mgSodium: 220mgCarbohydrates: 79gFiber: 7gSugar: 43gProtein: 14g
ForkToSpoon.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although we try to attempt to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Don’t Forget To Pin–

Vicki J.
Laurie,
On the recipe card, there is no powdered sugar listed. Can you add that info so we know how much powdered sugar to add. Thanks.
Marguretta Burkhalter
When I finally found the measurements in the recipe it did not say how much powdered sugar do you mix in with the flour in order to make the cake. How much powdered sugar should there be in this recipe?