Iโm a sucker for chocolate cupcakes, itโs just one of my guilty pleasures. So, of course, I had to make some air fryer chocolate mocha cupcakes to satisfy that craving. The secret ingredient in them is coffee, which makes the chocolate flavor even deeper and richer!
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
Rich, moist, chocolatey cupcakes bake up in your air fryer in 15 minutes or less. My conventional oven isnโt even preheated by then!
Itโs also nice that you donโt need to heat up the whole house, so you can get your chocolate fix even when itโs hot outside. I sometimes make them when weโre having a barbecue, as theyโre easy but also crowd-pleasing!
Cupcakes are so versatile, too. You can top them with a variety of different frostings to really enhance the flavors. Iโm making a maple buttercream for them, but they go equally well with any chocolate or coffee based frosting flavors!
Honestly, I make a batch on the weekend and then sneak them for breakfast or dessert throughout the week. However, theyโre perfect if youโre entertaining and your guests will love them!
If youโre looking for a chocolatey breakfast option, try my air fryer double chocolate muffins recipe too!
What Youโll Need
For the Chocolate Cupcakes:
- 1 ยฝ cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ยฝ cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ยฝ tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ยผ cup olive oil
- ยฝ cup cold brew coffee
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
For the Maple Buttercream:
- ยฝ cup butter (salted)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ยฝ tsp maple extract
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
Special Equipment Note: Youโll need a small muffin pan that fits in your air fryer basket. Alternatively, you can use silicone baking cups which are a bit more adaptable to a variety of air fryer shapes and sizes.
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can use any unsweetened cocoa powder in place of the dark cocoa powder, but I like the depth of flavor you get with the dark
- Any other type of oil can be used in place of the olive oil
- Feel free to swap white vinegar for the cider vinegar
- You can use brewed and cooled coffee in place of the cold brew
- Swap other frosting types in as desired โ chocolate, coffee, and maple are my favorite choices
- If you want a denser, more moist cupcake, add an additional egg or some sour cream to the batter. You can also try some of my other box cake hacks for additional ideas on how to make a moister cake and cupcake!
How to Make Air Fryer Chocolate Cupcakes
- Preheat your air fryer to 325ยฐF (or the closest setting your air fryer has) and grease or line your cupcake cups
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine all wet ingredients until well blended
- Add all of the dry ingredients, and stir to thoroughly mix
- Fill your chosen cupcake liners with batter about ยพ full
- Place into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. If using individual cups, they can touch, but donโt mash them together or your cupcakes will be misshapen
- Cook on the air fry setting for 12 minutes at 325ยฐF
- Cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (moist crumbs are fine, just not raw batter). Add additional time in small increments if needed to finish cooking
- Remove to a wire rack to cool completely
For the Frosting
- Beat the butter, maple syrup, and maple extract in a mixer (or with a hand mixer) until well combined
- Add the powdered sugar to the bowl
- Use a low speed setting to mix the powdered sugar into the butter (or else it will fly everywhere)
- Increase to medium high and beat until fluffy (generally less than 1 minute)
- If frosting seems too thick, add 1 tsp milk or cream at a time until desired consistency is reached
- Pipe or spread frosting onto cupcakes once theyโre completely cooled
What Goes Well With Chocolate Cupcakes?
- Fresh fruit
- Cheese platter
- Salted nuts
- Cookies
- Mini cheesecakes
- Ice cream
- Milkshakes
- Chocolate dipped pretzels
- Potato chips
- Candied bacon
- Red wine
- Mulled wine
- Espresso martini
- Chocolate martini
- Irish coffee
- Eggnog
- Brandy
- Stout beer
- Milk
- Hot cocoa
There are many things that go well with chocolate cupcakes (aside from frosting of course). Whether youโre looking for a drink pairing or additional offerings to put out on the party table, thereโs a great variety to choose from.
Try these air fryer chocolate mocha cupcakes with my easy Microwave Mulled Wine, tasty Microwave Chocolate Covered Strawberries, crispy Ninja Air Fryer Potato Chips, or sip on a Hot Chocolate Martini.
Recipe FAQs
Can You Use Paper Cupcake Liners in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can use paper cupcake liners in an air fryer. It is still recommended to use them in a pan or silicone liners as well, as that helps to hold the shape of the cupcake better.
However, from a safety perspective, paper cupcake liners are perfectly fine for air fryer use.
Can You Bake Cupcakes in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can bake cupcakes in an air fryer, and may do so on the air fry setting. No separate bake setting is needed.
The air fryer preheats faster than a traditional oven, and doesnโt heat the house up as much. However, the capacity is more limited when compared to an oven.
An 8-qt air fryer can bake approximately one dozen cupcakes at a time still.
Why Do You Put Vinegar in Cupcakes?
You put vinegar in cupcakes to help act as a leavening agent so they rise during baking. However, vinegar also imparts some flavor, which can be a nice combination with the flavor of your cupcake.
Try chocolate cupcakes with white, apple cider, or red wine vinegar.
Recipe Pro Tips
- Use a pair of kitchen tongs to gently remove the cupcakes from the air fryer, as they will be hot
- Do not remove the wrappers or liners until the cupcakes are cooled completelyย
- My 8-qt air Ninja fryer holds one dozen cupcakes at a time, which is how many this recipe makes. For smaller capacity air fryers, cook in batches
Storage Tips
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container out of the sunlight at room temperature for up to 2 days, or store in the refrigerator for up to 4 (but the cupcakes will start to dry out)
- If you choose to use whipped cream instead of buttercream, then the cupcakes should be refrigerated immediately to prevent melting
More Air Fryer Recipes For Chocolate Lovers
- Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Trader Joeโs Lava Cake in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Decadent Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe
- Air Fryer Black Bottom Cupcakes
- Banana Chocolate Chip Scones in the Air Fryer
Final Thoughts
These air fryer chocolate mocha cupcakes are perfectly moist and delicious, and loaded with rich chocolate flavor.
Whether you choose to pair them with the sweet maple buttercream or a different topping of your choice, theyโre sure to be a hit.
Theyโre perfect for dessert tables, backyard barbecues, or just when you have a hankering for a chocolatey treat.
I can make a whole dozen in my air fryer at a time, but since they cook in only about 15 minutes, itโs easy to make more batches if need be.
Air Fryer Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe With Maple Buttercream
Equipment
- Piping bag (optional)
Ingredientsย ย
For the Chocolate Cupcakes
- 1 ยฝ Cups all purpose flour
- 1 Cup granulated sugar
- ยฝ Cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 Tsp baking soda
- ยฝ Tsp salt
- 1 Large egg
- 2 Tsp vanilla extract
- ยผ Cup olive oil
- ยฝ Cup cold brew coffee
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
For the Maple Buttercream
- ยฝ Cup butter (salted)
- 2 Cups powdered confectioner's sugar
- ยฝ Tsp maple extract
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
Instructionsย
- Preheat your air fryer to 325ยฐF (or the closest setting your air fryer has) and grease or line your cupcake cups
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine all wet ingredients until well blended1 Large egg, 2 Tsp vanilla extract, ยผ Cup olive oil, ยฝ Cup cold brew coffee, 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Add all of the dry ingredients, and stir to thoroughly mix1 ยฝ Cups all purpose flour, 1 Cup granulated sugar, ยฝ Cup dark cocoa powder, 1 Tsp baking soda, ยฝ Tsp salt
- Fill your chosen cupcake liners with batter about ยพ full
- Place into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. If using individual cups, they can touch, but donโt mash them together or your cupcakes will be misshapen
- Cook on the air fry setting for 12 minutes at 325ยฐF
- Cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (moist crumbs are fine, just not raw batter). Add additional time in small increments if needed to finish cooking
- Remove to a wire rack to cool completely
For the Frosting
- Beat the butter, maple syrup, and maple extract in a mixer (or with a hand mixer) until well combinedยฝ Cup butter, ยฝ Tsp maple extract, 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- Add the powdered sugar to the bowl2 Cups powdered confectioner's sugar
- Use a low speed setting to mix the powdered sugar into the butter (or else it will fly everywhere)
- Increase to medium high and beat until fluffy (generally less than 1 minute)
- If frosting seems too thick, add 1 tsp milk or cream at a time until desired consistency is reached
- Pipe or spread frosting onto cupcakes once theyโre completely cooled
Notes
- You can use any unsweetened cocoa powder in place of the dark cocoa powder, but I like the depth of flavor you get with the dark
- Any other type of oil can be used in place of the olive oil
- Feel free to swap white vinegar for the cider vinegar
- You can use brewed and cooled coffee in place of the cold brew
- Swap other frosting types in as desired โ chocolate, coffee, and maple are my favorite choices
- If you want a denser, more moist cupcake, add an additional egg or some sour cream to the batter
- Use a pair of kitchen tongs to gently remove the cupcakes from the air fryer, as they will be hot
- Do not remove the wrappers or liners until the cupcakes are cooled completely
- My 8-qt air Ninja fryer holds one dozen cupcakes at a time, which is how many this recipe makes. For smaller capacity air fryers, cook in batches
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container out of the sunlight at room temperature for up to 2 days, or store in the refrigerator for up to 4 (but the cupcakes will start to dry out)
- If you choose to use whipped cream instead of buttercream frosting, then the cupcakes should be refrigerated immediately to prevent melting
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any swaps or decorations added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
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