Air Fryer Cookie Dough: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great alternative to conventional ovens when it comes to baking cookies. They are faster, easier to clean, more energy-efficient, and produce crispier cookies. But can you put cookie dough in an air fryer?

Air-frying cookie dough

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough

You can use store-bought refrigerated or frozen cookie dough, or make your own homemade dough. If using store-bought dough, take it out of the refrigerator or freezer to let it come to room temperature. If making your own dough, cream together butter and sugars, then add dry ingredients and mix until a moist dough forms. Finally, stir in your choice of mix-ins, such as chocolate chips.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). The preheating time will be faster than a conventional oven due to the small size of air fryers.

Step 3: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, which helps to prevent the cookies from sticking. You can use regular parchment paper or parchment paper with perforations specifically designed for air frying. If using regular parchment paper, it's important to weigh it down, as the airflow may lift the paper up into the heating elements.

Step 4: Shape the Cookie Dough

Shape your cookie dough into flat circles. If using refrigerated or frozen cookie dough, separate the dough into 4 pieces and shape them into circles. For homemade dough, use a cookie scoop or scoop 2-3 tablespoons of dough to create 5-6 dough balls. Leave about 1-2 inches between the balls of dough.

Step 5: Air Fry the Cookies

Place the shaped cookie dough into the air fryer basket, leaving a 2-inch space around each cookie. Air fry for 6-11 minutes, depending on the type of dough you're using. For homemade fresh dough, air fry for 6-7 minutes. For frozen dough, air fry for 9-11 minutes. For refrigerated dough, air fry for 8-9 minutes. The cookies will still be very soft when they come out, so be careful when handling them.

Step 6: Cool the Cookies

Allow the cookies to cool in the air fryer basket for a couple of minutes with the basket closed. Then, open the basket and let them cool for an additional 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Enjoy your freshly baked cookies!

Tips for Air-Frying Cookie Dough:

• Choose your recipe carefully. While you can air fry any type of cookie dough, it's best to avoid recipes with gooey toppings, as these can be harder to get right. Chocolate chip, lemon cookies, and other cookies with incorporated mix-ins tend to work best.
• Use a baking pan if you have one that fits your air fryer. This will help to avoid a mess, as the dough can drip through the basket. You can also use perforated parchment paper or aluminium foil sprayed with baking spray.
• If you want to make a larger batch of cookies, you will need to work in batches, as air fryers can only fit a few cookies at a time.
• Do a test run with one cookie first, as the strength of air fryers can vary. If the cookie cooks too quickly, decrease the temperature by 20-25°F. If it doesn't seem done enough, increase the baking time by 1-2 minutes.

Preheat and prep the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is essential for ensuring even heat distribution and optimal cooking results. Here's a step-by-step guide to preheat and prep your air fryer for baking delicious cookies:

• Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually around 320°F (160°C) for cookies. You can refer to your specific air fryer's instructions for the optimal temperature setting. Allow it to preheat for at least 2 minutes before proceeding to the next step.
• Line the Air Fryer Basket: While the air fryer is preheating, line the basket with parchment paper. You can use regular parchment paper or parchment paper with perforations specifically designed for air fryers. This step is crucial to prevent your cookie dough from sticking to the basket and making a mess.
• Prepare the Cookie Dough: If you're using store-bought refrigerated or frozen cookie dough, take it out of the refrigerator and separate the desired amount of dough into flat circles. If you're making homemade cookie dough, follow your recipe to prepare the dough.
• Shape and Space the Dough: Place the circles of cookie dough onto the parchment paper-lined basket, making sure to leave a gap of about 2 inches (5 cm) between each piece of dough. This spacing is important to allow for even cooking and prevent the cookies from merging during baking.
• Adjust Air Fryer Settings: Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to adjust the settings to the bake or air crisp function. Refer to your air fryer's instructions to select the appropriate setting for baking cookies.
• Consider Batch Size: Keep in mind that air fryers have limited space, and you may need to bake your cookies in batches. For example, a Ninja Air Fryer can typically fit around 3 cookies in a single batch.
• Test with a Single Cookie: Due to variations in air fryer strengths, it's a good idea to test with a single cookie before committing to a full batch. This will help you fine-tune the temperature and timing for optimal results.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to preheating and prepping your air fryer for baking delicious cookies. Remember to refer to your specific air fryer's instructions and adjust temperatures and timings as needed. Happy baking!

The best cookie dough for air-frying

Air fryers can bake up a few cookies in about half the time a conventional oven takes, and they don't need much time to preheat. The circulating air cooks the food faster and at a lower temperature, similar to a convection oven.

If you're looking for the best cookie dough to air-fry, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, choose a recipe that doesn't have gooey toppings or ingredients that might burn easily, such as jam or sprinkled sugar. Chocolate chip, lemon cookies, and other cookies where all the ingredients are incorporated tend to work best in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• 125g unsalted butter
• 100g light brown sugar
• 75g white granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla (optional)
• 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 300g chocolate chips (150g dark, 150g milk)

Method:

• Add the butter and sugars to a bowl and beat until creamy.
• Add the egg and vanilla and beat again.
• Add the plain flour, cornflour, bicarbonate of soda, and salt and beat until a cookie dough is formed.
• Add the chocolate chips and beat until they are well distributed.
• Portion your cookie dough into balls—they should weigh about 50-60g each.
• Line your air fryer basket with a piece of parchment paper. You can pierce holes in the paper if desired, but it's not necessary.
• Place the cookie dough balls in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them to allow for even cooking.
• Bake the cookies at 160ºC for 10 minutes.
• Once baked, leave the cookies in the air fryer for a couple of minutes before removing them. They will still be very soft, so it's best to remove them on the parchment paper.
• Allow the cookies to cool for at least 15 minutes before enjoying.

You can also use store-bought cookie dough for air-frying. Simply follow the package instructions for portioning the dough and adjust the temperature and timing accordingly. Air-frying store-bought cookie dough usually takes around 6-8 minutes at 320ºF.

Air-frying times and temperatures

Air fryers can bake up a few cookies in about half the time an oven takes, and they don't need much time for preheating. The circulating air cooks the food faster and at a lower temperature, like a convection oven.

The time it takes to bake a cookie in an air fryer will be different from in an oven. A basic chocolate chip cookie will bake at 350°F for five minutes. Timing will vary depending on the recipe, especially if it wasn't developed for the air fryer. When air frying a cookie that was designed for a conventional oven, reduce the heat on the machine by about 25°F. For example, if a cookie recipe calls for 350°F in a conventional oven, set the air fryer to about 325°F. Start with a baking time of 5 minutes, and add more time in 1-minute increments as necessary.

The ideal temperature and time for air-frying cookies vary depending on the type of cookie and the specific air fryer model. However, most recipes recommend air-frying cookies at temperatures between 325°F and 350°F for 5 to 10 minutes.

For instance, one recipe suggests air-frying cookies at 325°F for 5 to 7 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Another recipe recommends air-frying at 320°F for 6 to 8 minutes or until browned on top. A third recipe suggests a temperature of 170°C/325°F and a cooking time of 7 to 8 minutes or until the edges are slightly firm.

Air-frying cookies from frozen

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Cookie Dough

• Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
• Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, which helps prevent the cookies from sticking. You can use parchment paper with perforations designed for air fryers, or regular parchment paper. If using regular parchment paper, consider piercing some holes in it to improve airflow.
• Take your frozen cookie dough out of the freezer and let it come to room temperature for about 10 minutes. This step is optional, but it helps the frozen dough spread more, resulting in cookies that are not too tall or round.

Step 2: Shape the Cookie Dough

Separate your cookie dough into portions and shape them into flat circles. Don't press them too thin, as they will spread during baking.

Step 3: Arrange the Cookie Dough in the Air Fryer

Place the shaped cookie dough onto the parchment paper in the air fryer basket, leaving a 2-inch (5 cm) space around each piece of dough.

Step 4: Air-Fry the Cookies

Air-fry the cookies for 9-11 minutes. The exact time will depend on your air fryer and the size of your cookies, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Step 5: Let the Cookies Cool

Once the cookies are done, let them sit in the air fryer basket for a couple of minutes with the basket closed. Then, open the basket and allow the cookies to cool for an additional 2-3 minutes before removing them with a spatula.

Tips for Success:

• Choose the right recipe: Avoid cookies with gooey toppings, as the direct heat from the air fryer's heating element can burn the tops before the rest of the cookie is done. Chocolate chip, lemon cookies, and other varieties where all the ingredients are incorporated tend to work best.
• Use a baking pan: If possible, use a small baking pan that fits inside your air fryer to avoid any mess from dough dripping through the basket.
• Experiment with temperature and timing: The ideal temperature and timing may vary depending on your air fryer and the type of cookie dough you're using. It's a good idea to start with the recommended settings and then adjust as needed.

Frequently asked questions