Buttery Soft Cookie Cups

Featured in: Fall Baking

These buttery soft cookie cups feature a molten, gooey chocolate center, baked quickly to golden perfection using an air fryer. The dough combines melted butter, brown and granulated sugars, vanilla, and chocolate chips, folded into a simple flour mixture. Pressed into silicone cups with a chocolate square inside, they bake in just minutes, delivering a warm, tender texture with rich, melted chocolate inside. Serve warm for a decadent, easy indulgence perfect for any occasion.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:20:00 GMT
Warm, golden air fryer gooey cookie cups oozing melted chocolate, a delightful dessert. Save to Pinterest
Warm, golden air fryer gooey cookie cups oozing melted chocolate, a delightful dessert. | yummywithmia.com

Buttery, soft cookie cups with a molten, gooey center—quickly baked to perfection in your air fryer. A decadent treat for any occasion.

I first made these cookie cups when I wanted a fast but indulgent dessert that everyone would enjoy.

Ingredients

  • Dry Ingredients: 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt
  • Wet Ingredients: 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter melted 1/2 cup (100 g) light brown sugar packed 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Mix-ins: 1/2 cup (90 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips 6 squares (about 30 g) milk or dark chocolate (for gooey center)

Instructions

Step 1:
In a medium bowl whisk together flour baking soda and salt.
Step 2:
In a separate bowl stir together melted butter brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth.
Step 3:
Add egg and vanilla extract to the wet mixture mix until fully combined.
Step 4:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients mixing until just incorporated.
Step 5:
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Step 6:
Lightly grease or line six silicone muffin cups.
Step 7:
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of dough into each cup pressing gently to cover the bottom.
Step 8:
Place a square of chocolate in the center of each cup then top with another tablespoon of dough sealing in the chocolate.
Step 9:
Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for 3 minutes.
Step 10:
Place muffin cups in the air fryer basket ensuring they do not touch (work in batches if necessary).
Step 11:
Air fry for 7&8 minutes until the tops are golden but centers are still soft.
Step 12:
Let cool in cups for 5 minutes before serving warm for maximum gooeyness.
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| yummywithmia.com

These cookie cups always bring my family together for a warm treat and sweet moments.

Notes

For extra indulgence serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls whisk and spoon silicone muffin cups or ramekins (safe for air fryer) air fryer

Allergen Information

Contains Wheat (gluten) egg milk (dairy) soy (in some chocolate chips) Always check ingredient labels for hidden allergens.

Fresh, homemade air fryer gooey cookie cups, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth any time. Save to Pinterest
Fresh, homemade air fryer gooey cookie cups, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth any time. | yummywithmia.com

Enjoy these gooey cookie cups fresh for the best flavor and texture every time.

Common Recipe Questions

What type of chocolate works best for the gooey center?

Semi-sweet chocolate squares or milk chocolate work well to create a smooth, molten center inside the soft cookie cups.

Can I use regular muffin tins instead of silicone cups?

Silicone muffin cups are preferred for easy removal and even cooking, but greased metal tins can also be used with careful handling.

How do I prevent overbaking and keep the centers gooey?

Monitor the air fryer closely and bake just until the tops turn golden but the centers remain soft, typically 7–8 minutes.

Is it possible to swap chocolate chips for other mix-ins?

Yes, peanut butter or caramel chips can be used instead to create different flavors while maintaining a gooey center.

What is the best way to serve these soft cookie cups?

They are delicious warm, directly from the air fryer, and pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Buttery Soft Cookie Cups

Soft buttery cookie cups with a molten chocolate center, baked quickly in an air fryer for a decadent treat.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cooking Duration
8 minutes
Overall Time
18 minutes
Created by Mia

Recipe Type Fall Baking

Skill Level Easy

Culinary Origin American

Total Output 6 Portion Size

Dietary Preferences Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

Dry Ingredients

01 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
03 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

01 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
03 1/4 cup granulated sugar
04 1 large egg
05 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Mix-ins

01 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
02 6 squares milk or dark chocolate, about 1/2 ounce total

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Combine dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until evenly mixed.

Step 02

Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir melted butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth.

Step 03

Incorporate egg and vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the wet mixture and mix until fully combined.

Step 04

Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just incorporated.

Step 05

Add chocolate chips: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.

Step 06

Prepare muffin cups: Lightly grease or line six silicone muffin cups to prevent sticking.

Step 07

Form cookie bases: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of dough into each cup, pressing gently to cover the bottom evenly.

Step 08

Add molten chocolate center: Place one square of chocolate in the center of each dough base, then top with approximately 1 tablespoon of dough, sealing the chocolate inside.

Step 09

Preheat air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 320°F for 3 minutes before cooking.

Step 10

Arrange for cooking: Place the prepared muffin cups in the air fryer basket without touching; cook in batches if necessary.

Step 11

Bake cookie cups: Air fry for 7 to 8 minutes until the tops turn golden brown and the centers remain soft.

Step 12

Cool before serving: Allow cookie cups to cool in their cups for 5 minutes before serving warm to preserve the gooey center.

Tools Required

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spoon
  • Silicone muffin cups or ramekins safe for air fryer usage
  • Air fryer

Allergy Warnings

Please review individual ingredients for potential allergens and reach out to a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, milk (dairy), and potentially soy from chocolate chips

Nutritional Info (per serving)

These details are for reference only and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Calories Count: 320
  • Fats: 17 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 39 grams
  • Proteins: 4 grams