Air Fryer Cookie Dough: Is It Possible?

Air fryers have become increasingly popular for their convenience and efficiency. They can cook a wide variety of foods, but can they cook cookie dough? The answer is yes, and it's a game-changer for cookie lovers. Air fryer cookies are known for their perfect texture—crispy on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside—and the ability to make a small batch quickly without heating up the entire kitchen. The process is simple: line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, shape your cookie dough into balls, place them in the basket, and air fry for 6 to 11 minutes, depending on the size and temperature of your dough.

Air fryer settings and temperatures for cooking cookie dough

Yes, you can cook cookie dough in an air fryer! The air fryer is a great alternative to a conventional oven for baking cookies, as it can achieve a similar, if not better, texture. The air fryer's small chamber and powerful fans can crisp the surface of the cookies and create a fudgy centre.

Air Fryer Settings and Temperatures

The temperature and time settings for your air fryer will depend on the type of cookie dough you are using and the number of cookies you are baking.

If you are baking three to four cookies at a time, a good starting temperature is 325°F (170°C). Bake the cookies for around 7-8 minutes, or until the edges are slightly firm. If you prefer thicker cookies, you can bake at a higher temperature of 350°F (180°C) for 10-12 minutes.

For room-temperature cookie dough, you can bake at 320°F for 9-10 minutes, or until the cookies are spread out and golden on top. For chilled or frozen cookie dough, use a lower temperature of 270°F for 11-13 minutes.

It is important to note that different air fryer models may produce varying results, so you may need to adjust the temperature and time settings accordingly. Additionally, if you are using a larger scoop of dough, you may need to increase the baking time.

Tips for Optimal Results

• Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
• Use a pan or solid surface within the air fryer to ensure the cookies bake evenly from the bottom up.
• Allow the cookies to cool for at least 5 minutes before removing them from the air fryer basket.
• For thicker cookies, refrigerate the dough for at least an hour before baking.
• If your cookies still feel raw, continue air frying in one-minute intervals until done.

How to prepare the air fryer basket for cooking cookie dough

To prepare the air fryer basket for cooking cookie dough, you must first line the basket with parchment paper. This is to prevent the cookie dough from sticking to the basket. It is also possible to use aluminium foil, but parchment paper is better as the cookies will not stick to the bottom. You can also try putting holes in the parchment paper.

Next, place 3-4 balls of cookie dough into the basket, ensuring there is enough room for the cookies to spread. If you are using a 5cm cookie scoop, you can fit about three 50-60g cookies in the basket at once. If you are using a larger scoop, you may only be able to fit three cookies in the basket.

If you are cooking from frozen, you will need to add an extra minute to the cooking time. If you are cooking larger cookies, weighing about 120g each, you will need to bake them for 13-14 minutes.

How to make cookie dough from scratch

Yes, you can cook cookie dough in an air fryer! It is a great way to make a small batch of cookies that are gooey on the inside and crispy on the outside. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make cookie dough from scratch and then cook it in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Flour
• Brown sugar
• Butter
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Milk
• Chocolate chips (a blend of semisweet and mini chocolate chips is recommended)

Optional Ingredients:

• Granola
• Walnuts or pecans
• Peanut butter chips
• Sprinkles

Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough

Firstly, heat-treat your flour to avoid any foodborne illnesses. To do this, spread the flour on a baking sheet and toast it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 6 minutes. Alternatively, you can heat-treat the flour in the microwave.

Next, beat the brown sugar with a stick of butter. You can use salted or unsalted butter, according to your preference. Add vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and milk, and combine the ingredients to form a crumbly dough. Finally, stir through the chocolate chips, and any other optional ingredients of your choice.

Step 2: Refrigerate the Dough

Once your dough is ready, it is recommended to let it sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or even overnight if you have the time. This will help the dough harden and enhance the final texture of your cookies.

Step 3: Shape the Dough

Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking. Using a cookie scoop, roll out 12 balls of cookie dough and place them in the basket, leaving enough room for the cookies to spread.

Step 4: Bake

Air fry 3-4 cookie dough balls at a time at 170 degrees Celsius or 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-8 minutes, or until the edges are slightly firm. If your dough is chilled or frozen, you may need to bake at a lower temperature for a longer time, and vice versa.

Step 5: Cool

Remove the cookies from the air fryer basket and let them cool for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to continue cooling. Repeat this process for the remaining dough.

And that's it! You now have delicious, freshly baked cookies made right in your air fryer. Enjoy!

How to cook store-bought cookie dough in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook store-bought cookie dough in an air fryer! This method is perfect for when you want to make a small batch of cookies and don't want to turn on your oven. The air fryer can help you achieve a gooey, fudgy centre and crispy edges.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Line the bottom of the air fryer basket with a piece of foil or parchment paper. If using parchment paper, cut it to the size of the basket and place it inside. This will make clean-up a breeze and prevent the cookies from sticking to the bottom.

Step 2: Prepare the Cookie Dough

Take your store-bought cookie dough out of its packaging. Roll the dough into balls, then flatten them slightly. If your dough is packaged in a roll, use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough before rolling it into balls.

Step 3: Place the Cookie Dough in the Air Fryer

Place 3-4 balls of cookie dough onto the parchment paper, ensuring they are spaced about 1 inch apart to allow for spreading.

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

Close the air fryer and set the temperature to 320°F. Bake the cookies for 5-8 minutes, or until the edges are slightly firm and the tops are golden brown. If you prefer a thicker cookie, you can bake at a lower temperature (270°F) for 11-13 minutes.

Step 5: Cool the Cookies

Once the cookies are baked to your liking, remove the basket from the air fryer. Let the cookies cool in the basket for about 5 minutes. This will allow them to stiffen and prevent them from falling apart.

Step 6: Serve and Store

After cooling, carefully remove the cookies from the basket and place them on a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your freshly baked cookies! Any leftover cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for about a week.

Note: If your air fryer has a preheat setting, ensure that you do not place the parchment paper inside until after preheating, as it may catch on fire.

How to store air-fried cookies

Air-fried cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to a week, as long as they are covered. To store them for longer, you can freeze them in a ziplock bag for up to six months. Before serving, you can reheat the cookies in the air fryer at 350°F for two minutes to give them that "freshly baked" flavour.

If you don't want to bake the whole batch of cookies at once, you can cover and refrigerate the cookie dough balls for up to 72 hours. Alternatively, you can freeze them on a cookie sheet until they are solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container, where they will last for up to three months. You can then air fry them from frozen, adding two to three minutes to the cooking time.

Frequently asked questions