Air Fryer Cookie Perfection: Timing For Best Results

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to ovens for baking cookies, especially in warm weather when you don't want to heat up your kitchen. Cookies made in an air fryer are typically crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside. The cooking time depends on the size of the cookies and the type of air fryer, but it usually ranges from 5 to 14 minutes.

Air fryer cookies take 5-12 minutes to bake

Air fryer cookies are a quick and convenient way to make delicious cookies without having to heat up your entire kitchen by turning on the oven. The air fryer method gives cookies a perfect texture—they're crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside.

The time it takes to bake cookies in an air fryer depends on the size of the cookies and the model of the air fryer. Most recipes recommend baking cookies in an air fryer for 5-12 minutes. For example, a recipe for air fryer chocolate chip cookies suggests baking the cookies for 12 minutes at 330°F. Another recipe for air fryer cookies with a vanilla cookie dough base and chocolate chips recommends baking the cookies for 10 minutes at 160°C.

It's important to note that different air fryers may have different functions and settings, so it's always a good idea to keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. Additionally, some air fryers may require you to line the basket with parchment paper, while others may work better with a pan placed inside.

By adjusting the baking time and temperature, you can also make giant cookies in the air fryer, which will take slightly longer to bake, usually around 8-11 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer to 300-330°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cookie-making process. While some recipes suggest that preheating is not necessary, doing so will ensure your cookies cook evenly and achieve the perfect texture. Set your air fryer to between 300°F and 330°F. This will take around 4 to 5 minutes, depending on your model.

Preheating is a good idea if you want to achieve a crispy exterior and a gooey, soft interior. It's also worth noting that preheating your air fryer is much faster than preheating a conventional oven, and it won't heat up your entire kitchen.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can then line the basket with parchment paper, which is essential to prevent your cookies from sticking and burning. Place your cookies about 1 inch apart, and they'll be ready to bake!

Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper

Lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper is an essential step in the cookie-making process. It ensures that your cookies don't stick to the basket and makes for easy cleanup. Here's a step-by-step guide to lining your air fryer basket with parchment paper:

• Cut the Parchment Paper to Size: Measure the base of your air fryer basket and cut a circle or square of parchment paper to fit. You can also buy pre-cut parchment paper liners specifically designed for air fryers online.
• Consider Perforating the Paper: Some bakers recommend perforating the parchment paper by poking a few holes in it. This is thought to improve airflow and promote even cooking. However, this step is optional and may not be necessary for all air fryers.
• Line the Air Fryer Basket: Place the cut parchment paper into the basket of your air fryer, ensuring it lies flat and covers the entire base. Smooth out any wrinkles or creases.
• Prepare the Cookie Dough: While lining the basket, you can simultaneously prepare your cookie dough according to your chosen recipe. This ensures that the dough is ready to go once the air fryer is lined.
• Scoop the Cookie Dough: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion your cookie dough into balls. Place the scooped dough onto a tray or plate while you prepare to fill the air fryer basket.
• Place Cookies on the Lined Basket: Once your cookie dough is portioned out, carefully place the dough balls onto the lined air fryer basket. Leave a bit of space between each cookie to allow for even cooking and expansion.
• Bake the Cookies: Follow the baking instructions for your specific air fryer and recipe. The baking time will vary depending on the size and number of cookies you are baking.
• Cool the Cookies: After baking, carefully remove the parchment paper with the cookies still on it from the air fryer basket. Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes before removing them from the parchment paper. Enjoy your freshly baked treats!

Remember, each air fryer is slightly different, so you may need to adjust the baking time accordingly. Always refer to your air fryer's instructions and the specific cookie recipe you are using for the best results.

Place cookies 1 apart in the basket

When placing the cookie dough in the air fryer, it is important to ensure that the cookies are placed about 1 inch apart from each other. This spacing allows for even cooking and browning of the cookies. If the cookies are placed too close together, they may fuse together during baking, resulting in uneven cooking and a less aesthetically pleasing final product.

Additionally, placing the cookies about 1 inch apart helps to prevent the cookies from sticking to each other. This is especially important if you are using a particularly sticky cookie dough or if your air fryer tends to run hot, as the melted cookie dough could spread and cause the cookies to bake into each other.

By giving the cookies adequate space to breathe, you also ensure that the hot air circulating in the air fryer can reach all surfaces of the cookies evenly. This helps to create that desirable crispy texture on the outside while retaining a soft and gooey centre.

Furthermore, spacing the cookies apart helps to prevent overcrowding in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking, as the hot air may not be able to circulate properly, resulting in some cookies browning faster than others or the cookies blocking the airflow, affecting the efficiency of the air fryer.

Therefore, it is crucial to place the cookies about 1 inch apart when arranging them in the air fryer basket to ensure optimal cooking results and to showcase the visual appeal of each individual cookie.

Let cookies cool before removing from the basket

It's important to let cookies cool before removing them from the air fryer basket. This is because the cookies will still be very soft and gooey straight out of the fryer, and letting them cool for a few minutes will help them set and become firmer, making them easier to remove. Depending on the recipe, you should leave the cookies to cool for at least a couple of minutes, or up to 15 minutes.

If you try to remove the cookies from the basket too soon, you may find that they fall apart or lose their shape. This is because the cookies need time to finish baking and settle, even after being removed from the heat source. Leaving them to cool in the basket for a few minutes will also give the basket time to cool down, making it safer to handle.

Additionally, removing the cookies from the basket while they are still hot can cause condensation to form on the basket, which can lead to the cookies becoming soggy. By allowing the cookies to cool first, you can help prevent this from happening and ensure that your cookies remain crisp and chewy.

Finally, letting the cookies cool before removing them from the basket gives you a chance to prepare a wire rack or plate to place them on. This will help ensure that the cookies have a place to cool completely before being served or stored. It also gives you time to clean up any mess from the air fryer, so you don't have to worry about it later.

Frequently asked questions