Air Fryer Frozen Cookies: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can put frozen cookies in an air fryer. In fact, it's one of the best ways to make small batches of cookies. The cooking time is reduced, and you don't have to wait for your oven to heat up. You can also bake cookies from frozen cookie dough without defrosting it first. However, be aware that cookies baked from frozen dough may not spread as much during baking, resulting in thicker cookies.

Can you put frozen cookies in the air fryer?

Frozen cookie dough can be cooked straight from the freezer

To cook frozen cookie dough in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer. The exact temperature and time depend on your air fryer model, but you can start by setting it to 320-350°F (160-175°C) for 3-5 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. You can also use aluminium foil, but keep it away from the heating element.

Next, place your frozen cookie dough portions on the parchment paper or silicone baking mat, leaving some space between each cookie to allow for spreading. If you're using frozen cookie dough balls, you might want to gently flatten them about halfway through the baking time since frozen cookie dough doesn't spread as well in the air fryer.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the basket inside and set the cook time for 5-10 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your cookies and your desired level of doneness. Start checking on the cookies at around the 5-minute mark to ensure they don't over-bake. They are done when they are slightly golden brown around the edges.

Once the cookies are done, carefully remove the air fryer basket and allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Then, enjoy your freshly baked cookies!

Some things to keep in mind: the amount of cookies you can bake at one time will depend on the size of your air fryer, and it's important not to overcrowd the basket. Also, frozen cookie dough baked in an air fryer will result in thicker and rounder cookies compared to when baked in a conventional oven.

You can use store-bought or homemade frozen cookie dough

To bake frozen cookie dough in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer. The exact temperature and time depend on your air fryer model, but a good starting point is to set it to 320-350°F (160-175°C) for a few minutes. If your air fryer requires preheating, you can skip this step.

While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the air fryer basket by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will prevent the cookie dough from sticking and make cleanup easier. You can also use aluminium foil, but be sure to keep it away from the heating element.

Next, place your frozen cookie dough portions on the parchment paper or silicone baking mat, leaving some space between each cookie to allow for spreading. The number of cookies you can bake at once will depend on the size of your air fryer basket.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the basket inside and set the cook time for 5-10 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size and thickness of your cookie dough and your desired level of doneness. Start checking the cookies at the 5-minute mark and adjust the time as needed.

Once the cookies are done, carefully remove the air fryer basket and allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Then, enjoy your freshly baked cookies!

Some things to keep in mind: Frozen cookie dough may not spread as much in the air fryer as it does in a conventional oven, so your cookies may be thicker and rounder. It's also important to watch your cookies closely as the hot air can burn them quickly. Additionally, make sure to leave at least one inch of space between each cookie in the basket to allow for even cooking.

Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking

Lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper or a silicone mat is a crucial step in preventing your cookies from sticking to the basket and making post-baking cleanup a breeze. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help you line your air fryer basket effectively:

Choosing the Right Lining

• Parchment Paper: Parchment paper is a great option for lining your air fryer basket. It helps to prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier. It is important to note that not all air fryers are suitable for use with parchment paper, so be sure to check your air fryer manual before using it. There is also special air fryer parchment paper available that is designed to fit perfectly in your air fryer.
• Silicone Baking Mat: If you don't have parchment paper or your air fryer isn't compatible with it, a silicone baking mat is a good alternative. It offers similar benefits of non-stick properties and easy cleanup.

Preparing the Air Fryer Basket

Before placing your cookie dough in the air fryer, it is important to prepare the basket properly:

• Preheat the Air Fryer: Start by preheating your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually around 325°F to 350°F. This step is important as it ensures the basket is ready to receive the cookie dough and promotes even cooking.
• Line the Basket: Once the air fryer is preheated, carefully line the basket with your chosen lining, either parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Cut the parchment paper to fit the basket, ensuring it covers the holes or spaces between the wires. If using a silicone mat, ensure it fits snugly inside the basket.

Placing the Cookie Dough

Now that your air fryer basket is prepared, it's time to arrange your cookie dough:

• Space the Cookies: Place your frozen cookie dough portions on the parchment paper or silicone mat, leaving some space between each cookie. This is important to allow for even cooking and to prevent the cookies from sticking together. The number of cookies you can bake at once will depend on the size of your air fryer basket.
• Prevent Sticking: If you are using parchment paper, you can lightly grease it with cooking spray or butter to further prevent sticking. This step is optional but can help ensure the cookies release easily from the paper.

By following these instructions and tips, you can effectively line your air fryer basket with parchment paper or a silicone mat, ensuring your cookies don't stick and making cleanup a breeze.

Leave space between each cookie as they will spread during cooking

When baking cookies in an air fryer, it's important to leave some space between each cookie. This is because the cookies will spread and flatten as they cook, and you don't want them to stick together. Leaving some breathing room ensures that they cook evenly and come out perfectly crispy on the outside and soft and chewy in the middle.

The amount of space you should leave depends on the size of your air fryer basket and the number of cookies you're baking. As a general rule, it's recommended to leave at least an inch or an inch and a half of space between each cookie. This may vary depending on the size and thickness of your cookies, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on them during the cooking process.

If you're using frozen cookie dough, it's worth noting that it doesn't spread in the air fryer the same way it does in a conventional oven. Frozen cookie dough will keep its shape better and result in thicker, rounder cookies. However, it's still important to leave some space between them to ensure even cooking.

Additionally, when placing the cookie dough in the air fryer, it's best to use a small pan or line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, silicone baking mats, or aluminium foil to prevent the cookies from sticking and make cleanup easier.

The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the cookies

The cooking time for frozen cookies in an air fryer will depend on the size and thickness of the cookies. If you are baking a larger batch of cookies, you will need to increase the cooking time. The same goes for thicker cookies.

For smaller cookies, a cooking time of 5 to 7 minutes is generally recommended. However, if your cookies are on the larger side, you may need to increase the baking time. Some recipes suggest a cooking time of up to 10 minutes for larger cookies.

It's important to keep in mind that air fryers cook more efficiently than conventional ovens, so you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time accordingly. Most sources recommend reducing the temperature by about 20°F (10°C) compared to a standard oven recipe.

Additionally, it's a good idea to keep a close eye on your cookies as they bake in the air fryer, as they can burn quickly. Check on them regularly, especially towards the end of the cooking time, to ensure they don't overcook.

To get the best results, it's recommended to leave some space between each cookie to allow for even cooking and browning. This will also help prevent them from sticking together.

By adjusting the cooking time and temperature based on the size and thickness of your cookies, you can ensure that your frozen cookies turn out perfectly cooked and golden brown.

Frequently asked questions