15-Minute Air Fryer Gooey Marshmallow Peanut Butter Bars Bliss

Oh my gosh, you HAVE to try these air fryer gooey marshmallow peanut butter bars! I swear, they’re the fastest, most indulgent little treat you can whip up when that sweet tooth hits. Picture this: warm, peanut buttery dough hugging pockets of melty marshmallow, all ready in under 15 minutes. I started making these when my kids begged for dessert one night and I realized I was out of chocolate chips – total happy accident! Now these bars have become our favorite “oops, we need something sweet NOW” solution. The air fryer gives them this perfect crispy edge while keeping the centers deliciously soft. Trust me, once you’ve had peanut butter and marshmallow this way, you’ll never go back to plain old cookies again!

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Gooey Marshmallow Peanut Butter Bars

Let me count the ways these little bars will steal your heart:

• Crazy quick – We’re talking 10 minutes of prep and 12 minutes in the air fryer (faster than preheating my oven!)
• Minimal ingredients – Just peanut butter, marshmallow fluff, and pantry staples you probably have right now
• That magical gooey center – The marshmallow stays gloriously soft while the edges get this perfect golden crispness
• Kids (and adults!) go nuts – My family literally crowds around the air fryer waiting for these to finish
• No fancy skills needed – If you can stir ingredients together, you can make these bars

Ingredients for Air Fryer Gooey Marshmallow Peanut Butter Bars

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these irresistible bars – and yes, the marshmallow fluff measurement is exact because we want that perfect gooey-to-crispy ratio!

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter – The smooth kind works best for that velvety texture
• 1/2 cup packed marshmallow fluff – Measure it right from the jar for maximum goo
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar – Just enough sweetness to balance the peanut butter
• 1 large egg – Room temperature helps it blend smoothly
• 1 tsp vanilla extract – The secret flavor booster
• 1 cup all-purpose flour – Spoon and level it for perfect measurement
• 1/2 tsp baking powder – Gives just the right lift
• 1/4 tsp salt – Balances all those sweet flavors

Equipment You’ll Need

Don’t worry – you won’t need anything fancy for these bars! Just grab:

• Your trusty air fryer – Any size works, but make sure your pan fits inside
• A small mixing bowl – My favorite is the one that always seems to have cookie batter remnants
• An air fryer-safe pan – I use a 6-inch round cake pan, but a small baking dish works too
• A spoon or spatula – For stirring that glorious gooey mixture
• Measuring cups – Because eyeballing marshmallow fluff never ends well!

How to Make Air Fryer Gooey Marshmallow Peanut Butter Bars

Okay, friends – let’s get to the best part! Making these bars is seriously foolproof, but I’ll walk you through each step so they turn out perfectly every time. Just follow along and you’ll be biting into warm, peanut buttery goodness before you know it!

Mixing the Dough

First, grab that bowl and let’s make magic happen! Start by mixing the peanut butter, marshmallow fluff, sugar, egg, and vanilla together until it’s smooth and creamy. Don’t worry if it looks a bit sticky – that’s exactly what we want! Then gently stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt just until combined. The dough should be thick but still soft – kind of like playdough that’s been left out for a bit. Overmixing makes tough bars, so stop as soon as you don’t see flour streaks anymore.

Pressing and Air Frying

Now for the fun part! Lightly grease your air fryer pan (I use my fingers to spread a tiny bit of butter around). Press the dough evenly into the pan – don’t pack it down too hard or the bars won’t get that perfect light texture. Pop it into your air fryer at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye out around the 8-minute mark – you want the edges just turning golden but the center should still look slightly soft. That’s when you know the marshmallow will stay gloriously gooey!

Cooling and Cutting

Here’s where patience is key (trust me, I know how hard this part is!). Let the pan cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting. If you try too soon, the marshmallow will ooze everywhere (been there!). When it’s time, use a sharp knife to cut into 8 bars. They’ll be firm but still soft in the middle – just perfect for grabbing with your fingers. And do yourself a favor – that first bite while they’re still slightly warm? Absolute heaven!

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Gooey Marshmallow Peanut Butter Bars

A few little tricks I’ve learned after making these bars way too many times (not that I’m complaining!):

• Toothpick test – It should come out slightly sticky, not clean. That’s your gooey guarantee!
• Parchment paper lifesaver – Line your pan with it for zero sticking and easy cleanup.
• Watch that timer – Air fryers vary, so start checking at 8 minutes for perfect golden edges.
• Room temp ingredients – Let your egg and peanut butter sit out for smoother mixing.
• Slice warm, serve cooler – They firm up beautifully after 30 minutes but still stay soft inside.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

Want to mix things up? Here are my favorite twists on these bars:

• Nut butter swap – Almond butter works beautifully if you’re out of peanut butter
• Chocolate lovers – Stir in 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips for extra indulgence
• Crunchy version – Use crunchy peanut butter or add chopped peanuts to the dough
• Gluten-free – Swap the flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free blend
• Extra marshmallow – Swirl extra fluff on top before baking for double the goo!

Serving and Storing Air Fryer Gooey Marshmallow Peanut Butter Bars

These bars are absolute magic when served slightly warm – that marshmallow center turns into pure ooey-gooey bliss! If you’ve got leftovers (unlikely in my house), pop them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Want that fresh-from-the-air-fryer warmth? Just zap a bar for 10 seconds in the microwave and it’s like you just made them!

Nutritional Information

Each delicious bar (hey, I didn’t say they were health food!) packs about 220 calories with 12g of fat, 24g carbs, and 6g protein. Remember – nutrition can vary based on your exact ingredients and portion sizes. But let’s be real, you won’t be counting when that marshmallow goodness hits your tastebuds!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! I’ve made them both ways, and while creamy gives that smooth texture, crunchy adds a fun little bite. Just know the marshmallow won’t get quite as gooey since the peanut butter has more texture.

How long do these bars stay fresh?
They’re best within 2 days (if they last that long!), but will keep up to 3 days in an airtight container. The marshmallow does start to crystallize after day 2 though – not that my kids ever complain!

Can I bake these in the oven instead?
Yes! Bake at 350°F for 15-18 minutes in a regular oven. They won’t get quite the same crispy edges but they’ll still taste amazing. Just keep an eye on them starting at 12 minutes.

Why did my marshmallow disappear?
You likely overbaked them – that’s why I stress checking early! The marshmallows melt into the bars around the 10-minute mark. Pull them when the edges are just golden for that perfect gooey pocket effect.

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