This Single Serve Molten Lava Cake is designed for one or two people and can be baked in either the oven or an air fryer. It’s an ideal small-batch dessert when you want rich, gooey chocolate without making a full cake.
⭐Why I Love It:
- Perfect Portion: This recipe yields one individual lava cake that’s ideal for a single serving or to share between two.
- Oven or Air Fryer: It bakes beautifully in either appliance, so you can skip preheating a full-size oven when you want a quick treat.
- No Mixer Required: The batter is small enough to mix by hand—no electric mixer needed.
- Molten Center: The interior stays delectably gooey, making it a chocolate lover’s dream. For other single-serve chocolate ideas, try the variations referenced in the original recipe.
🥘Ingredients
- ¼ cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips (~1.7 oz) or chopped chocolate
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (plus extra for greasing)
- 3 tablespoons white granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Optional for serving: powdered sugar, fresh berries, or vanilla ice cream
- Optional for ramekin: cocoa powder to dust after greasing
See the recipe card below for full details, times, and nutrition.
🔪How To Make a Single Serve Lava Cake
This single-serve molten lava cake is quick to prepare and works in either an air fryer or a conventional oven.
Step 1 – Melt the chocolate and butter. Use a double boiler or microwave in short 10-second bursts, stirring between each interval until smooth. Allow to cool slightly.
Step 2 – Prepare the ramekin. Generously grease a large ramekin with softened butter and, if available, dust with cocoa powder for easier release.
Step 3 – Mix the batter. Whisk the sugar, egg, and vanilla until combined and slightly foamy. Stir in the flour and salt until the mixture is smooth.
Step 4 – Combine and pour. Fold the cooled melted chocolate into the batter until uniform, then pour into the prepared ramekin.
Step 5 – Bake. For oven: preheat to 425°F and bake 13–15 minutes. For air fryer: no preheat required; air fry at 370°F for 8–10 minutes. The edges should be set and the center still soft to the touch—avoid overbaking so the center remains molten.
Step 6 – Release and serve. After baking, run a knife around the edge and let the cake rest 3–4 minutes. Place a plate over the ramekin and carefully invert; wait 20–30 seconds before lifting the ramekin so the cake releases cleanly. Dust with powdered sugar or serve with berries or ice cream and enjoy warm.
💭Recipe Tips
- Ramekin size: A 10-ounce-to-the-rim ramekin (~4.25″ wide) works well. If you choose a different size, reduce or increase bake time as needed.
- Grease thoroughly: Use softened butter and, if available, dust with cocoa powder to ensure the cake releases easily.
- Measure flour correctly: Use the spoon-and-level method—spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off—to avoid packing in too much flour.
- Melt chocolate gently: Small quantities heat quickly. Use short microwave intervals or a double boiler and stir frequently to prevent scorching or seizing.
👩🍳Recipe FAQs
Spoon the flour into the measuring cup from the container, then level it with a straight edge. This avoids compacting the flour and gives a more accurate measurement than scooping directly with the cup.
🍫Related Single Serve Recipes…
- Single-Serve Brownie Cookies (Small Batch)
- Single-Serve Dot Cake (Small Batch Copycat)
- Single-Serve Chocolate Cake Balls (Small Batch)
- Single-Serve Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting (Small Batch)
My Debut Cookbook is ready to order NOW! It’s titled A Little Something Sweet and features 75 single-serve recipes. Order details are available from the author.
Recipe
Single Serve Molten Lava Cake (Air Fryer or Oven)
This single-serve molten lava cake is quick to make, rich in chocolate flavor, and perfect when you only want one warm, indulgent serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 1–2 servings
- Category: Dessert, Air Fryer, Single Serve
- Method: Oven or Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- ¼ cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips (~1.7 oz)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons white granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- Pinch kosher salt
- Optional: powdered sugar and fresh berries for serving
- For greasing: extra softened butter and cocoa powder (recommended)
Instructions
- Prep: If using an oven, preheat to 425°F. No preheat is required for most air fryers. Generously grease a large ramekin with softened butter and optionally dust with cocoa powder.
- Melt Chocolate: Melt the chocolate chips and butter together using a double boiler or the microwave in short intervals, stirring frequently. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Mix Batter: Whisk the sugar, egg, and vanilla until combined and slightly foamy. Add the flour and salt and whisk until smooth.
- Add Chocolate: Fold the cooled melted chocolate into the batter until evenly combined. Pour into the prepared ramekin.
- Oven Directions: Bake at 425°F for 13–15 minutes. The edges should be set and the center still soft; avoid overbaking to keep the molten center.
- Air Fryer Directions: Air fry at 370°F for 8–10 minutes. The edges should be set and the center remain soft to the touch.
- Release: After baking, run a knife around the edge and let the cake rest 3–4 minutes. Place a plate over the ramekin and invert. Wait 20–30 seconds, then lift the ramekin to reveal the cake.
- Serve: Dust with powdered sugar or serve with fresh berries or ice cream. Enjoy warm.
Notes
Ramekin Size: The recipe was tested with a ramekin that holds about 10 ounces to the rim (~4.25″ wide). If you use a different size, adjust baking time accordingly.
Chocolate: You can substitute chopped baking chocolate for the chips if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ lava cake
- Calories: 331
- Sugar: 35.1 g
- Sodium: 42.9 mg
- Fat: 16.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 43.2 g
- Fiber: 2.2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 108.3 mg