Air Fryer Cookie Baking: Is It Possible?

Air fryers have become a popular alternative to traditional ovens for baking cookies. They can bake 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, similar to a convection oven. This results in cookies with crispy exteriors and gooey centres.

Air fryer cookies are quicker to bake than oven-baked cookies

The shorter baking time means you're less likely to walk away and forget about your cookies, potentially reducing the chance of burning them. Additionally, air fryers are great for baking small batches of cookies, as you can make just a few at a time. This is especially useful if you're craving fresh cookies but don't want to bake a whole batch.

It's important to note that the baking time and temperature may vary depending on the recipe and your specific air fryer model. When using a recipe designed for a conventional oven, it's recommended to reduce the temperature by about 25°F and start checking the cookies after 5 minutes, adding additional time in 1-minute increments as needed.

Air fryer cookies not only save time but also deliver the desired crispy exterior and gooey interior that many cookie enthusiasts crave. The circulating hot air in the air fryer creates this perfect combination of textures.

To bake cookies in an air fryer, prepare your cookie dough and spray the inner basket with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Place 3-4 balls of cookie dough into the basket, leaving room for them to spread. Air fry at the desired temperature for 7-14 minutes, depending on your recipe and air fryer model.

Once the cookies are done, gently remove them from the basket and transfer them to a wire rack to cool. Enjoy your freshly baked, warm, and delicious cookies!

Air fryers are small convection ovens

Air fryers use a fan to circulate hot air, just like a convection oven. The fan is situated overhead, above a heating element. The motion of the air inside the oven is called a convection effect, which results in faster cooking by transferring higher temperatures to the surface of the food compared to an ordinary oven. This also enhances the browning and crisping of the surface of the food.

Air fryers are great for cooking small batches of food. They are perfect for when you only want to cook a few cookies at a time or when you are cooking for one or two people. They are also useful if you want to cook something quickly, as they heat up faster than a regular oven.

However, because of their small size, air fryers can only accommodate a limited amount of food. You may need to cook food in batches, which can take longer overall than cooking in a regular oven. Additionally, the small size of the basket can prevent you from spreading out the food in an even layer, which can impede the flow of hot air.

Air fryers are also louder than convection ovens and can be more difficult to clean. They also take up less space and can be stored in a cupboard when not in use.

Air fryer cookies are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside

Air fryer cookies are the perfect balance of crispy and gooey—but only if you prepare them right. Here are some tips to achieve that coveted crispy-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside texture:

Choose the Right Recipe

Although you can air fry any type of cookie, some recipes are better suited for this cooking method than others. Cookies with gooey toppings, such as jam or sprinkled sugar, can be tricky to get just right. That's because the heating element in most air fryers is at the top of the machine, which can cause the tops of the cookies to burn before the rest of the cookie is done. So, when baking in an air fryer, it's best to choose a recipe where all the ingredients are incorporated, such as chocolate chip, lemon cookies, or brownie cookies.

Adjust the Temperature and Baking Time

Air fryers heat up much more efficiently than traditional ovens, so you'll need to adjust your temperature and baking time accordingly. As a general rule of thumb, reduce the temperature by about 15% and take a few minutes off the baking time. For example, if a conventional oven recipe calls for baking at 350°F for 10 minutes, you would bake the cookies in the air fryer at around 300°F for 6-8 minutes. However, every air fryer is different, so you may need to experiment with the settings a bit to find what works best for your particular model.

Use the Right Tools

To prevent the cookies from sticking, spray the inner basket of your air fryer with non-stick cooking spray, or use a small baking pan if you have one that fits. You can also line the bottom of the air fryer with foil to make cleanup easier. If using a baking pan, be sure to line it with parchment paper to allow for even cooking and air circulation. Parchment paper with holes works best, but if you can't find it, you can also cut slits into regular parchment paper or leave room around the edges.

Bake in Batches

Air fryers have limited space, so you'll likely need to bake your cookies in batches. This is a great option if you just want a few fresh cookies to enjoy yourself or to share with a friend.

Allow for Cooling Time

Once your cookies are done baking, be sure to allow them to cool for a few minutes before digging in. This will give the cookies time to set and achieve the perfect texture.

Air fryer cookies can be baked from frozen

Yes, you can bake cookies from frozen in an air fryer! It's a great way to have freshly baked cookies in a short amount of time without needing to heat up your oven.

Preparing the Air Fryer

First, you'll need to prepare the air fryer basket. Spray the inner basket with non-stick cooking spray, or use a small baking pan that fits inside the basket. You can also use foil or baking paper, but check your air fryer manual first to make sure this is safe for your model. If using foil or baking paper, it's recommended to put a circle of it in the base of the basket, rather than letting it ride up the sides, so that the interior fan can't blow it around.

Preparing the Cookie Dough

You can use store-bought or homemade cookie dough. If using store-bought, divide the dough into even amounts based on the yield of the recipe. If using homemade, it's recommended to freeze your cookie dough in spoonfuls or roll into balls first. This way, you can easily make just one or two cookies at a time.

Baking the Cookies

Place the frozen cookie dough on the prepared baking surface or directly into the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to around 320°F (or 160°C) and bake for 5-15 minutes, depending on the size of your cookies and how crispy you like them. Cookies baked from frozen may take a minute or two longer than those baked from room temperature. If your cookies are browning too quickly, you can lower the temperature to 270°F and check on them regularly to get the desired result.

Cooling the Cookies

Once baked, gently remove the cookies from the air fryer and transfer them to a wire rack to cool for a few minutes before enjoying.

Tips

• Choose your recipe carefully. Cookies with gooey toppings may be harder to get right, as the heating element for most air fryers is at the top of the machine and may burn the tops before the rest of the cookie is done. Cookies where all the ingredients are incorporated, such as chocolate chip or lemon cookies, tend to work best.
• If your cookies are burning on the bottom, try using a small baking pan or a solid tray to prevent the dough from falling through the basket.
• Frozen cookie dough doesn't spread as much in the air fryer as it does in a conventional oven, so your cookies will be thicker and rounder. If you want flatter cookies, gently flatten the dough halfway through the baking time.
• Watch your cookies closely, as the hot air can burn them quickly.
• If you're baking a large batch of cookies, you'll need to work in batches, as air fryers have limited space.
• If you're using a recipe that wasn't developed for the air fryer, reduce the heat on the machine by about 25°F and start checking on your cookies after 5 minutes, adding more time in 1-minute increments as needed.

Happy baking!

Air fryer cookies require less clean-up

The shorter baking time means you’re less likely to walk away and forget about your cookies, potentially cutting down on burnt cookies and the need to scrub your bakeware. Air fryers are also great for small-batch desserts, as you can only make several at a time. Hello, portion control!

Air fryer cookies are baked à la minute, so there's no pressure to make a whole batch, and there's less clean-up involved. You can make just a couple of cookies at a time if you don't want to deal with a full batch.

If you're baking cookies in an air fryer, you'll also avoid heating up your entire kitchen, which is especially beneficial during the warmer months.

So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and mess-free way to satisfy your cookie cravings, an air fryer is definitely worth considering!

Frequently asked questions