Name: Easy Air Fryer Nutella Bombs - Gooey Chocolatey Goodness!
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 3 h 45 min
Yield: 12-16 bombs
Ingredients: 1 cup (240ml) warm milk; 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast; ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar, plus a pinch; 1 large egg; ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted; ½ teaspoon salt; 3 to 3 ½ cups (360-420g) all-purpose flour; ½ cup (120g) Nutella, chilled; ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted (for coating); ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar (or cinnamon sugar) OR ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar (for coating)

Air Fryer Nutella Bombs are about to revolutionize your dessert game! Imagine biting into a perfectly golden, crispy exterior, only to discover a warm, gooey, molten center of rich, chocolatey hazelnut spread. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience, a delightful explosion of flavor and texture that will undoubtedly become a new household favorite. While the concept of warm, filled pastries has a rich history across cultures, from Italian zeppole to French beignets, our modern twist harnesses the magic of the air fryer to deliver a healthier, mess-free version of this beloved indulgence. I truly believe that the incredible appeal of these “bombs” lies in their sheer simplicity and the unparalleled joy they bring.

Who can resist the combination of a light, airy dough with the luxurious depth of Nutella?

The air fryer method ensures a beautifully crisp finish without the need for deep frying, making this a remarkably convenient treat for any occasion. It’s the perfect solution for those moments when you crave something decadent but also appreciate a quick preparation time and an easier cleanup. Whether you’re looking for a speedy weeknight dessert or an impressive addition to a brunch spread, these delightful Air Fryer Nutella Bombs offer maximum satisfaction with minimal effort. They truly capture the essence of comfort food in a single, irresistible bite.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:
- 1 cup (240ml) warm milk (around 105-115°F / 40-46°C)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar, plus a pinch for yeast
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 to 3 ½ cups (360-420g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
For the Filling:
- ½ cup (approximately 120g) Nutella, chilled for easier handling
For the Coating/Finishing:
- ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar (or a mix of granulated sugar and cinnamon) OR ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Stand mixer with dough hook (optional, but highly recommended)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or fork
- Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush
- Air fryer

Preparing the Dough for Your Air Fryer Nutella Bombs

Crafting the perfect dough is the foundational step for truly amazing Air Fryer Nutella Bombs. It’s a simple process, but paying attention to the details will ensure a light, fluffy texture that encases that glorious hazelnut spread beautifully. Let’s get started!

Activate the Yeast: In your large mixing bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer), pour in the warm milk. It’s crucial that your milk is warm, not hot, as too much heat will kill the yeast, and too cold will hinder its activation. Aim for a temperature that feels like a warm bath on your wrist. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the warm milk, along with a pinch of granulated sugar. Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. During this time, the yeast should “bloom” – meaning it will become foamy and bubbly on the surface. This is your visual cue that your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic. If you don’t see any foam, your yeast might be old or your milk was too hot/cold, and it’s best to start over with fresh yeast.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Once your yeast is beautifully bloomed, add the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar, the large egg (make sure it’s at room temperature for better incorporation), the melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter, and the salt to the yeast mixture. Whisk everything together until it’s well combined. The mixture should look smooth and slightly yellow from the egg and butter.
Incorporate the Flour: Now it’s time for the flour! Gradually add 3 cups of the all-purpose flour to your wet mixture. If you’re using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and start mixing on low speed until a shaggy dough forms. If you’re kneading by hand, use a sturdy spoon or spatula to mix until the flour is mostly incorporated. At this stage, the dough will be sticky, and that’s perfectly normal. Slowly add the remaining ½ cup of flour, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together and starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. You might not need all the flour, or you might need a tiny bit more – the exact amount depends on humidity and how accurately you measured your ingredients. The goal is a dough that is soft, slightly tacky but not overly sticky.
Knead the Dough: This is where the magic happens for developing gluten, which gives your Air Fryer Nutella Bombs their structure and chewiness. If you have a stand mixer, let it knead the dough on medium-low speed for 7-10 minutes. The dough should become smooth, elastic, and spring back when gently poked. If you’re kneading by hand, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead vigorously for about 10-12 minutes, pushing the dough away from you with the heels of your hands, folding it back, and turning it. You’ll feel the dough transform from shaggy and sticky to smooth, pliable, and elastic. This is a great arm workout!
First Rise (Bulk Fermentation): Lightly grease your mixing bowl with a little oil or cooking spray. Place the kneaded dough into the bowl, turning it once to coat the top with a thin layer of oil. This prevents it from drying out. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Place it in a warm, draft-free spot in your kitchen. This could be a slightly warmed oven (turned off!), near a sunny window, or just on your kitchen counter if it’s warm enough. Let the dough rise for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until it has roughly doubled in size. The exact time will depend on the temperature of your room. A good indicator that it’s ready is when you can gently press two fingers into the dough, and the indentations remain.

Shaping and Filling the Nutella Bombs

Once your dough has had its glorious first rise, it’s time for the fun part: shaping and filling these delightful treats that will soon become your favorite Air Fryer Nutella Bombs. Precision here helps ensure a perfect little package of deliciousness.

Prepare the Filling: While your dough is rising, or just before you start shaping, scoop the Nutella into a piping bag or a sturdy Ziploc bag, then snip off one corner. This will make filling much easier and less messy. Alternatively, you can use a small spoon. For easier handling and to prevent the Nutella from becoming too runny and messy, it’s a great idea to chill the Nutella for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator before using. This helps it hold its shape better inside the dough.
Punch Down and Divide the Dough: Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release the air. This step is important for an even texture in your final Air Fryer Nutella Bombs. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it very briefly, just a few times, to form it into a smooth log. Using a kitchen scale, divide the dough into 12-16 equal pieces, each weighing approximately 40-50 grams. This ensures consistent cooking and portion sizes. If you don’t have a scale, try to eyeball them as best you can for uniformity.
Shape the Dough Balls: Take each piece of dough and roll it into a smooth, tight ball. The goal here is to create a taut surface on the outside. You can do this by placing the dough piece on your work surface and cupping it with your hand, moving it in a circular motion until it forms a neat sphere. Cover the shaped dough balls with a clean kitchen towel to prevent them from drying out as you work through the rest.
Flatten and Fill: Take one dough ball at a time and, on a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll it into a circular disc, about 4-5 inches (10-12 cm) in diameter. Try to make the edges slightly thinner than the center. Spoon or pipe about 1 tablespoon of the chilled Nutella into the center of the dough circle. Do not overfill! Overfilling is the most common reason for leakage during cooking, and we want perfectly sealed Air Fryer Nutella Bombs.
Seal the Nutella Bombs: This is a crucial step for preventing your precious Nutella from oozing out. Gather the edges of the dough up and over the Nutella, pinching them together tightly at the top to seal the filling completely. Once sealed, gently roll the filled dough back into a smooth ball. Ensure there are no cracks or open seams where the Nutella could escape. Pay extra attention to this step – a good seal means a happy Nutella bomb!
Second Rise (Proofing): Line your air fryer basket or a baking sheet with parchment paper. Carefully place the sealed Air Fryer Nutella Bombs on the parchment paper, ensuring they are spaced at least 1-2 inches apart to allow for expansion. You will likely need to do this in batches. Lightly cover the bombs with a clean kitchen towel or loosely with plastic wrap. Let them rise again in a warm, draft-free spot for about 30-45 minutes, or until they look visibly puffy and almost doubled in size. This second rise makes them incredibly soft and airy when air fried.

Air Frying Your Delicious Nutella Bombs

Now for the star of the show: the air fryer! This method delivers a beautifully golden and crispy exterior with a soft, warm interior for your Air Fryer Nutella Bombs, all without the fuss of deep frying. Get ready for an irresistible treat!

Preheat Your Air Fryer: While your Nutella bombs are on their second rise, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Preheating is essential for even cooking and achieving that lovely golden crust right from the start. Different air fryers can vary, so getting it to temperature before adding the food is key.
Prepare for Air Frying: Lightly spray your air fryer basket with cooking oil or line it with a piece of parchment paper cut to fit, ensuring it doesn’t cover too many holes, which could impede air circulation. If using parchment paper, you might need to secure it with a tiny bit of oil on the bottom. Avoid placing too many bombs in the basket at once; they need space for the hot air to circulate freely around them. Overcrowding will result in unevenly cooked and less crispy Air Fryer Nutella Bombs.
Air Fry the Bombs: Carefully transfer 3-4 of the proofed Nutella bombs into the preheated air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed up. Halfway through the cooking time (around the 3-4 minute mark), gently flip the bombs over using tongs to ensure even browning on all sides. Cooking times can vary slightly between air fryer models, so keep an eye on them during the first batch. They should look beautifully golden and feel light to the touch.
Cook in Batches: Continue air frying the remaining Nutella bombs in batches, making sure to re-preheat if your air fryer cools down significantly between batches. Resist the urge to stack them; patience here will reward you with perfectly cooked treats. As each batch finishes, transfer them to a wire rack while you prepare the next batch.

Finishing Touches and Serving Your Air Fryer Nutella Bombs

You’re almost there! The delicious aroma filling your kitchen right now is just a prelude to the amazing taste of your freshly made Air Fryer Nutella Bombs. The final steps are quick but add that extra layer of sweetness and texture.

Prepare the Coating: While the Air Fryer Nutella Bombs are still warm from the air fryer, prepare your chosen coating.
- For Sugar Coating: In a shallow bowl, melt ¼ cup of unsalted butter. In another shallow bowl, combine ½ cup of granulated sugar (and optionally, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for a cinnamon-sugar coating).
- For Powdered Sugar: Simply have ½ cup of powdered sugar ready in a shallow bowl or use a sifter.
Coat the Bombs:
- For Sugar Coating: As soon as a batch of Nutella bombs comes out of the air fryer, brush them generously all over with the melted butter using a pastry brush. Then, immediately roll them in the granulated sugar (or cinnamon sugar mixture) until they are fully coated. The warmth of the bomb helps the butter stick, and the butter, in turn, helps the sugar adhere.
- For Powdered Sugar: For a simple, elegant finish, you can either dust the warm Air Fryer Nutella Bombs with powdered sugar using a sifter or lightly roll them in a bowl of powdered sugar.
Cool Slightly and Serve: Transfer the coated Air Fryer Nutella Bombs to a wire rack to cool slightly. While tempting to bite into them immediately, remember that the Nutella inside will be molten hot! Allowing them to cool for just 5-10 minutes makes them much safer and still wonderfully warm and gooey.

Enjoying Your Air Fryer Nutella Bombs

These bombs are absolutely best served warm, shortly after they’ve been air fried and coated. The warm, soft dough combined with the melted, flowing Nutella is truly a match made in heaven.
- Classic: Serve them as is, a perfect snack or dessert on their own.
- With Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream melting alongside a warm Nutella bomb is an incredible indulgence.
- Fruit Pairing: Serve with fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries for a fresh contrast.
- Coffee Companion: They make a delightful treat with your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Storage: If by some miracle you have any leftover Air Fryer Nutella Bombs, they are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, you can pop them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 300°F (150°C) or in the microwave for a few seconds until warmed through. They won’t be quite as fresh as the first day, but still utterly delicious!

Troubleshooting Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Nutella Bombs
- Nutella Leaking: This usually happens if the dough wasn’t sealed tightly enough or if the bombs were overfilled. Ensure you pinch the seams very, very well, and don’t be tempted to put too much Nutella inside.
- Uneven Browning: Make sure not to overcrowd your air fryer basket. Cooking in batches allows the hot air to circulate properly. Flipping them halfway through is also crucial.
- Dry Dough: This might mean you added too much flour during the initial mixing or kneading. Always add flour gradually. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky.
- Bombs Not Puffing Up: Check your yeast! Ensure it’s active before you start. Also, make sure your rising environment is warm enough and draft-free.
With these detailed instructions and tips, you’re well on your way to creating absolutely incredible Air Fryer Nutella Bombs that will impress everyone (and satisfy your own sweet cravings!). Enjoy the process, and most importantly, enjoy every single bite!

Conclusion:

And there you have it, friends! We’ve journeyed through the incredibly simple steps to create what I genuinely believe will become one of your new favorite dessert obsessions. This isn’t just another recipe; it’s a gateway to effortless indulgence, a promise of warm, gooey chocolatey goodness without the fuss, mess, or long wait times typically associated with homemade treats. I can’t stress enough how revolutionary this particular method is for busy lives or those spontaneous sweet cravings. We’re talking about minimal effort for maximum reward, and isn’t that truly the holy grail of home baking?

I know many of you are constantly looking for those perfect recipes that deliver on taste while respecting your precious time, and this one absolutely hits the mark. The speed at which you can whip up these delightful morsels is nothing short of incredible. Imagine craving something sweet, something deeply satisfying and comforting, and being able to have it ready in mere minutes. That’s the magic we’ve unlocked together today. Forget complicated techniques, expensive ingredients, or hours spent waiting for dough to rise; this recipe streamlines the entire process, making dessert a joyful, stress-free experience for everyone. It’s a testament to the fact that extraordinary flavor doesn’t always require extraordinary effort. The joy of biting into a warm, fluffy exterior, only to be met by a molten, decadent center, is an experience that truly needs to be savored.

Why These Air Fryer Nutella Bombs Are an Absolute Game-Changer

Seriously, if you’re on the fence, let me gently nudge you over! These Air Fryer Nutella Bombs are a revelation. They perfectly encapsulate everything you want in a dessert: quick preparation, minimal cleanup, and an explosion of flavor that will leave everyone asking for more. The air fryer works its wonders, giving the dough a beautiful, golden-brown crispness on the outside while keeping it wonderfully soft and pillowy on the inside. And that Nutella filling? Oh, it transforms into a liquid dream, warm and oozing, perfectly complementing the subtle sweetness of the dough. It’s an instant crowd-pleaser, whether you’re serving it to a room full of guests or just treating yourself after a long day. It’s that perfect balance of comfort food and gourmet delight, all achieved with astonishing simplicity. You’ll be amazed at how professional these look and taste, despite the ease of their creation. Plus, the convenience means you can easily scale the recipe up or down depending on your needs, making it versatile for any occasion, big or small.

Serving Suggestions & Creative Variations to Elevate Your Experience

Now, while these delightful bombs are absolutely perfect on their own, fresh from the air fryer, warm and inviting, I love to get creative with how I present and enjoy them. For an extra touch of elegance and flavor, consider a light dusting of powdered sugar – it adds a lovely visual appeal and a delicate sweetness that enhances the Nutella. A drizzle of melted white chocolate or a dark chocolate ganache can also elevate them to a gourmet level, adding another layer of visual appeal and textural contrast. Imagine serving them alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the warm Nutella to slightly melt the cold cream, creating a delightful hot-and-cold sensation. For the ultimate indulgence, a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a sprinkle of toasted chopped nuts (like hazelnuts, of course!) can add a wonderful textural crunch. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

Feeling adventurous? While Nutella is the star here, don’t let that limit your imagination. You could try filling them with different spreads – Biscoff spread for a spiced cookie butter delight, dulce de leche for a caramel dream, or even a spoonful of your favorite fruit preserves for a brighter, tarter treat. If you’re a fan of savory-sweet combinations, a tiny piece of cream cheese along with a berry preserve can create a cheesecake-like experience. You could even roll the finished bombs in cinnamon sugar for a churro-like vibe, or finely crushed Oreos for an even more decadent coating. The possibilities are truly endless, and this base recipe is incredibly forgiving, allowing for all sorts of delicious customization. Think of it as a canvas for your sweet tooth! Each variation offers a unique spin, making these bombs a versatile treat that can cater to any craving or preference.

Don’t Just Read About It – Experience the Magic!

So, what are you waiting for? I wholeheartedly encourage you to roll up your sleeves, grab your ingredients, and give these incredible bombs a try this week. You won’t regret it. They are the perfect solution for a quick dessert, an impressive brunch addition, or simply a sweet pick-me-up. Once you’ve experienced the sheer delight of making and tasting these, I would absolutely love to hear about it! Did you stick to the classic Nutella, or did you venture into exciting new fillings? What were your favorite toppings? Share your photos, your triumphs, and even your “oops” moments in the comments below or tag me on social media. Your feedback and creativity inspire me and our entire community of food lovers. Let’s spread the joy of easy, delicious baking together. Happy cooking, and even happier eating!