Air-Fryer Cookies: Baking Pillsbury Goods The Quick Way

Air fryers are all the rage these days, and for good reason—they're a convenient way to make a quick meal or dessert without having to turn on your oven. But can you make cookies in an air fryer? Specifically, can you make Pillsbury cookies in an air fryer? The short answer is yes! Air fryer Pillsbury cookies are not only possible, but they're also a quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Air fryer temperature and time

The temperature and time for cooking Pillsbury cookies in an air fryer depend on the type of cookies being cooked and the type of air fryer being used.

For Pillsbury chocolate chip cookies, the air fryer should be set to 300°F for 10 minutes. The cookies will be perfectly cooked and golden brown on the outside with a nice crunch and gooey chocolate chips.

For Pillsbury sugar cookies, the air fryer should be set to 330°F for 4 minutes. The cookies will harden as they cool. It is important to note that the air fryer needs to be cool before placing the cookie dough inside, otherwise the dough will melt.

For Pillsbury chocolate chip cookies, it is recommended to keep the cookie dough refrigerated before placing it in the air fryer. Additionally, lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper and spraying it with nonstick cooking spray can help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Air fryer basket vs. oven

Air fryers are like mini countertop convection ovens with a heating element on top of the food. They generate heat and a fan circulates hot air to help the food cook evenly and get crispy. Air fryers come in two models: the basket style and the toaster oven style. Both generally operate the same way, but there are some differences to consider when choosing between the two.

Air Fryer Basket

The basket style air fryer is easy to use, with a simple plug-in-and-go mechanism. It is more convenient for making small foods, like a batch of French fries, as you can just shake the basket instead of having to flip each fry with tongs. Most air fryer baskets are also dishwasher-safe, making clean-up a breeze. However, they are usually smaller, limiting you to smaller servings of food. They can also be tricky for certain types of food, like pancakes, and you may have to line the basket with parchment paper.

Air Fryer Oven

The air fryer oven style is better if you want to make larger quantities of food or bigger items like a whole chicken. They usually come with a rotisserie and larger trays, allowing you to make a whole meal at once. The trays are adjustable, so you can control the heat and prevent the issue of the top burning while the bottom remains raw. They are also more versatile, often including features like baking, dehydrating, and roasting, in addition to air frying. However, they take up more countertop space and are more expensive.

Both types of air fryers have their advantages and disadvantages. If you have the space and the budget, it might be ideal to have one of each. If not, consider your needs and the types of food you plan to cook. For example, if you want to make cookies, the oven style might be better, as you can fit more on the trays and won't have to worry about lining the basket with parchment paper. However, if you're mostly interested in quick, small snacks, the basket style might be more convenient.

Parchment paper

Firstly, ensure that you are using food-grade parchment paper. Do not accidentally swap it with any other type of paper or wax paper, as this could be dangerous. Check the maximum temperature restriction of the parchment paper on the box and do not exceed this in your air fryer. Cut the parchment paper to fit the size of the bottom of your air fryer basket, or slightly smaller to allow for better air circulation. Perforating and trimming the paper can further assist with air circulation and grease drainage.

If you are preheating your air fryer, do not add the parchment paper until afterward, when it can be weighed down by the cookie dough. Otherwise, it may fly about inside the basket and come into contact with the heating element.

When using parchment paper in an air fryer, always take precautions and do not leave it unattended. Although it is a convenient tool, there are some risks associated with placing paper in an environment with a circulating fan and very hot heating elements.

Storing leftover cookies

If you have leftover cookies, it's important to store them properly to keep them fresh and tasty. Here are some tips for storing leftover cookies:

Storing Cookies at Room Temperature

The biggest challenge when storing cookies is maintaining their texture. Soft cookies can become hard, and crispy cookies can become soft. Additionally, strong flavours from one type of cookie can overwhelm others. To prevent this, store cookies separately based on their texture and flavour. Place them in an airtight container, but for crispy cookies, leave the container slightly open to prevent moisture from seeping in. Soft cookies can be kept soft by placing a slice of white bread inside the container, as the bread will release moisture to keep the cookies soft.

Storing Cookies in the Refrigerator

Baked cookies will generally stay fresh for up to three days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Freezing Cookies

For long-term storage, freezing cookies is ideal. Place the completely cooled cookies in a freezer bag, and they will last for about 2-3 months. When you're ready to enjoy them, simply take them out of the freezer and let them defrost.

Creative Uses for Leftover Cookies

If your cookies have gone a bit stale, you can still use them to create delicious treats:

• Cookie-Blasted Milkshakes: Blend your stale cookies with ice cream, milk, and any other desired ingredients to create a unique milkshake.
• DIY Cookies-n-Cream Ice Cream: Mix crumbled cookies into softened vanilla ice cream, then refreeze for a tasty treat.
• Cookie Crunch Frosting: Finely crumble cookies into frosting to add texture and flavour to your cakes.
• Cookie Crumbles: Crumble cookies into a plastic bag and store them in the freezer. Use these cookie crumbles as toppings for ice cream or other desserts.

Other air fryer cookie recipes

Air fryers are a great way to make cookies, and you can use any type of cookie dough, from pre-packaged to homemade. Here are some other cookie recipes you can try in your air fryer:

Air Fryer Meringue Cookies

Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper. Separate your egg whites and yolks, then whisk the egg whites with some sugar until stiff peaks form. Add in any desired mix-ins, such as chocolate chips or nuts. Shape the meringue mixture into cookies and place them in the air fryer. Cook at 200°F for about 45 minutes, or until the meringues are dry and crisp.

Air Fryer Funfetti Cookies

Start by preheating your air fryer to 325°F. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in an egg and vanilla extract and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Fold in some sprinkles, then shape the dough into cookies. Place the cookies in the air fryer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

Air Fryer Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

Cream together butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Mix in some vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until combined. Fold in dried cranberries and chopped pistachios. Place the dough in the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes. Once chilled, shape the dough into cookies and place them in the air fryer. Cook at 325°F for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden.

Air Fryer Copycat Chick-fil-A Cookies

Start by preheating your air fryer to 325°F. In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in an egg and vanilla extract, mixing well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until combined. Finally, fold in some chocolate chips. Place the dough in the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes. Once chilled, shape the dough into cookies and place them in the air fryer. Cook for 7-9 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

Frequently asked questions