Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Oatmeal cookies are a classic treat, and baking them in an air fryer is a convenient and quick way to satisfy your cookie craving. Air fryer oatmeal cookies are versatile, allowing you to add nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate chips to suit your taste. They are also relatively easy to make, with a preparation time of around 10-20 minutes and a cooking time of about 5-10 minutes in the air fryer. This makes them a perfect dessert or snack option when you're short on time but want something delicious and freshly baked.

Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of butter, softened
• 3/4 cup of brown sugar
• 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 and 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 3 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Optional Ingredients:

• 1 cup of raisins
• 1 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds
• 1/4 cup of peanut butter
• 1/2 cup of dried cranberries or raisins

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 300°F.
• In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, for about five to seven minutes.
• Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until fully combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
• Gradually beat the dry mixture into the creamed butter mixture until well incorporated to form the oatmeal cookie dough.
• Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and chopped nuts (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
• Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto baking sheets and flatten slightly.
• Place the cookies an inch apart on a greased tray in the air fryer basket.
• Cook the cookies in batches for 8 to 10 minutes or until they are lightly browned around the edges.
• Once done, remove the cookies from the air fryer and transfer them to wire racks to cool.

Tips:

• Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before putting the cookies in the air fryer will allow the butter to firm up and reduce the spread while cooking.
• Preheating your air fryer before adding the cookies can also help prevent them from spreading too much.
• If you prefer chewy cookies, use half granulated sugar and half brown sugar as the brown sugar has more moisture.
• You can substitute butter with margarine, but keep in mind that the fat content can vary, and the cookies may spread differently.
• If you don't have room for spread in your air fryer, chill the dough for about 30 minutes before cooking.
• The cookies will be soft when warm, so let them sit for a few minutes to firm up before removing them from the air fryer.
• You can also line the air fryer basket with parchment paper for easier removal and to prevent sticking.

Storage:

Store your air fryer oatmeal cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to two months. You can add a slice of bread to the container to absorb excess moisture and maintain crispness.

You can also freeze both the uncooked dough and baked cookies. For the dough, roll it into balls and freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the cook time. For baked cookies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or container for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies Ingredients

Air fryer oatmeal cookies are a quick and easy treat to make, and they can be whipped up in under 30 minutes. They are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Here are the ingredients you will need to make these delicious cookies:

• Butter: Softened butter creates a rich and tender cookie base and gives the cookies their crispy edges.
• Sugar and brown sugar: A combination of white and brown sugar provides sweetness and moisture, contributing to the chewy texture of these cookies.
• Eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together and add structure to the cookies.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavour of the cookies.
• Quick-cooking oats: Instant oats give the cookies their signature texture and nutty flavour.
• Flour: All-purpose flour provides structure to the oatmeal cookies and helps them hold their shape.
• Instant vanilla pudding mix: This secret ingredient adds extra flavour and helps keep these cookies soft and chewy.
• Baking soda: Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and spread slightly during baking.
• Salt: A teaspoon of salt enhances all the flavours in the cookie and balances the sweetness.
• Semisweet chocolate chips: Semisweet chocolate chips add rich pockets of chocolate throughout the cookie and melt as they cook.
• Chopped nuts (optional): The addition of chopped nuts like pecans and walnuts provides a pleasant crunch and nutty flavour.

Optional Ingredients and Substitutions

• Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds a warm, spicy flavour to the cookies.
• Dried fruit: You can mix in 1/2 cup of dried cranberries or raisins for a fruity twist.
• Peanut butter: For a nutty, creamy twist, add 1/4 cup of peanut butter to the wet ingredients.
• White chocolate chips: Try using white chocolate chips instead of semisweet chocolate chips for a different flavour profile.
• Applesauce: You can substitute applesauce for eggs if you prefer. Use 1/4 cup of applesauce per egg.
• Maple syrup: Use pure maple syrup to sweeten the cookies instead of sugar.

How to Make Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies

Air fryer oatmeal cookies are a quick and easy treat to make, perfect for when you're short on time but craving something sweet and comforting. They're also highly customisable, so you can add your favourite ingredients to make them your own. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious air fryer oatmeal cookies.

Ingredients

• Butter
• Sugar (white and/or brown)
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Flour (all-purpose)
• Baking soda and/or baking powder
• Salt
• Oats (rolled or quick-cooking)
• Optional mix-ins: chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, dried fruit, etc.

Method

• Cream the butter and sugar(s) together in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until fully combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda/powder, salt, and oats.
• Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture to form a cookie dough.
• Fold in your desired mix-ins, such as chocolate chips and nuts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
• Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto a baking sheet, greased tray, or directly into the air fryer basket, and flatten slightly.
• Cook the cookies in batches in the preheated air fryer at 300-325°F for 8-12 minutes, or until they are lightly browned and set.
• Once done, remove the cookies from the air fryer and let them cool on wire racks or a piece of parchment paper.

Tips

• Chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before cooking can help prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
• If you want chewier cookies, use melted butter and brown sugar, which add moisture to the dough.
• For crispier cookies, substitute butter with vegetable shortening and use granulated sugar.
• Parchment paper can be used to line the air fryer basket for easier cleanup.
• Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the cookies in multiple batches.

Storage

Air fryer oatmeal cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. They can also be refrigerated for longer storage, up to two months. For freezing, roll the dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Bake them directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time.

Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies Customization

Customizing your air fryer oatmeal cookies is a fun and easy way to make them your own. Whether you're craving a classic oatmeal raisin cookie or something more indulgent, the possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Rolled oats vs. quick oats: Rolled oats will give your cookies a lighter and fluffier texture. Quick oats may result in a drier, flatter, and smaller cookie. Rolled quick oats are a perfect middle ground if you want the best of both worlds.
• Raisins: For a classic oatmeal raisin cookie, use fresh raisins or substitute chocolate chips, craisins, or other chopped dried fruit.
• Nuts: Add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor with chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds.
• Dried fruit: Mix in dried cranberries, raisins, apricots, or blueberries for a fruity twist.
• Chocolate chips: Semisweet, white, or dark chocolate chips can be added for pockets of melted chocolate. Or, try peanut butter or butterscotch chips for a different flavor profile.
• Spices: A hint of cinnamon enhances the cookie's flavor, but you can also add nutmeg, ginger, or nutmeg for a cozy spin.
• Sweeteners: Experiment with different types of sugar, such as brown sugar for a deeper, caramel-like sweetness, or granulated sugar for a classic sweet taste.
• Binders: While eggs are commonly used as a binder, you can substitute with applesauce or mashed banana for an egg-free version.
• Butter alternatives: If you're looking for a cheaper option, margarine can be used instead of butter, but keep in mind that the cookie spread may differ due to varying fat content.
• Milk: Any type of milk can be used, so feel free to use dairy or non-dairy options according to your preference or dietary needs.
• Protein powder: Adding protein powder boosts the protein content and helps keep you full. Vanilla or chocolate flavors pair well with oatmeal cookies.

Feel free to mix and match these ingredients to create your unique oatmeal cookie combination. The beauty of air fryer oatmeal cookies is that they are highly customizable and can be tailored to your taste preferences, dietary needs, or whatever you have on hand. So, get creative, experiment, and most importantly, have fun!

Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies Storage

Air fryer oatmeal cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

If you want to store your cookies at room temperature, it is best to use a sealed container. The cookies will keep for 2-3 days at room temperature, or 5 days in the fridge.

To freeze the cookies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.

When you are ready to enjoy your frozen cookies, you can thaw them to room temperature or use your air fryer to reheat them.

Frequently asked questions