Air Fryer Cookie Dough: How Long To Fry?

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to make a small batch of cookies. They can bake up a few cookies in about half the time an oven takes, and they don't need much time to preheat. Air fryers are also great for creating a crispy exterior and soft and gooey interior texture in cookies. The cooking time for cookies in an air fryer varies depending on the type of dough and the desired level of doneness, but it typically ranges from 5 to 11 minutes.

Air fryer cookie dough prep

Air-frying cookie dough is a quick and easy way to make cookies. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing and cooking your dough in an air fryer.

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough

Firstly, you will need to prepare your cookie dough. You can either make your own dough from scratch or use store-bought, refrigerated cookie dough. If you are making your own, a basic chocolate chip cookie dough recipe will include butter, white and brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, flour, and chocolate chips. However, there are many variations and substitutions you can try, such as using vegan butter or alternative flours and sugars.

Step 2: Refrigerate the Dough (Optional)

Once you have prepared your dough, you can choose to cover and refrigerate it for 30 minutes to three days. Refrigerating the dough helps to set the butter and develop the flavour and texture of the cookies. However, this step can be skipped if you are in a rush.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

Before cooking your cookies, preheat your air fryer to 320-325°F (160°C). Most recipes recommend preheating for about two minutes.

Step 4: Line the Air Fryer Basket

Line the basket of your air fryer with parchment paper. It is important to use parchment paper with holes to allow for proper airflow and even baking. Place the parchment paper on top of the basket, then add your cookie dough.

Step 5: Shape the Dough

If using store-bought dough, separate it into four pieces and shape them into flat circles. Leave a two-inch space around each circle of dough. If you are making your own dough, use a cookie scoop or scoop about two to three tablespoons of dough to create five to six dough balls. Leave about one to two inches between the balls of dough to allow for spreading.

Step 6: Air-Fry the Cookies

Once your cookies are shaped and in the air fryer, it's time to cook them. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of dough you are using. For homemade fresh dough, air fry for six to seven minutes. For frozen dough, air fry for nine to eleven minutes, and for refrigerated dough, air fry for eight to nine minutes.

Step 7: Let the Cookies Cool

After air-frying, let the cookies cool in the basket for two to five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This step is important, as it allows the cookies to set and makes them easier to handle.

And that's it! You now have delicious, air-fried cookies. Enjoy!

Air fryer temperature and timing

Air fryers are a great alternative to conventional ovens for baking cookies. They have a faster preheat time, better air circulation, and a smaller size, which results in quicker cooking.

The ideal temperature for baking cookies in an air fryer is between 320°F and 325°F (160°C to 170°C). This temperature range may vary slightly depending on the type of air fryer you have, so it is always good to consult your air fryer's instructions.

When using an air fryer, it is important to remember that the cooking time will be shorter than with a conventional oven. For homemade fresh dough, air fry for 6-7 minutes. For frozen dough, air fry for 9-11 minutes, and for refrigerated dough, air fry for 8-9 minutes. The size of the cookies will also affect the cooking time, with larger cookies taking slightly longer to bake.

It is also recommended to do a test run with a single cookie first, especially if you are using a new air fryer. This will help you determine if any adjustments to the temperature or timing are needed. If the cookie cooks too quickly, reduce the temperature by 20-25°F. If it looks undercooked, increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.

Additionally, if you are baking from frozen, it is advisable to let the dough come to room temperature for about 10 minutes before air frying. This will help the cookies spread more, resulting in a flatter cookie. However, this step is optional, and you can air fry the cookies straight from the freezer for a taller, rounder shape.

Lastly, remember to let the cookies cool in the air fryer basket for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This helps the cookies set and makes them easier to handle.

Air fryer cookie dough placement

Step-by-Step Guide to Air Fryer Cookie Dough Placement:

• Preheat your air fryer: Before placing the cookie dough in the air fryer, it's important to preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually around 320-350°F (160-177°C). This ensures even cooking and helps the cookies bake properly.
• Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper: Using parchment paper is essential to prevent the cookie dough from sticking to the basket. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of the basket. Parchment paper with perforations or holes is ideal, as it allows better airflow and even baking.
• Prepare your cookie dough: You can use homemade cookie dough or store-bought refrigerated/frozen cookie dough. If using homemade dough, follow your recipe to mix the ingredients and form dough balls. If using store-bought dough, separate the desired number of cookies and shape them into flat circles.
• Place the cookie dough in the air fryer: Place the dough balls or flattened circles onto the parchment paper, leaving space between each piece of dough. The number of cookies you can fit will depend on the size of your air fryer, usually around 2-5 cookies.
• Air fry the cookies: Follow your specific recipe for air frying time and temperature. For homemade fresh dough, air fry for around 6-7 minutes. For frozen dough, air fry for 9-11 minutes, and for refrigerated dough, air fry for 8-9 minutes. Adjust the time as needed depending on your air fryer and the desired doneness of your cookies.
• Let the cookies cool: After air frying, allow the cookies to cool in the air fryer basket for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cookies set and makes them easier to handle.

Tips for Optimal Air Fryer Cookie Dough Placement:

• Test with a single cookie: Air fryer temperatures can vary, so it's a good idea to test with a single cookie before air frying the entire batch. Adjust the temperature or timing if needed.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer: Place the cookie dough balls or circles with enough space between them to allow for spreading. Air fry in batches if necessary.
• Let frozen dough come to room temperature: If using frozen cookie dough, let it thaw for about 10 minutes before air frying. This helps the dough spread more and creates a thinner cookie.
• Use the right tools: Use a cookie scoop to create uniform dough balls, and a spatula to carefully lift the cookies out of the air fryer basket.
• Clean up easily with parchment paper: Parchment paper not only helps with even baking but also makes clean-up a breeze. Just be sure to use parchment paper with holes or perforations to allow proper airflow.

Air fryer cookie dough cooling

Air fryer cookies are a quick and easy way to curb your sweet tooth without spending too much time in the kitchen. The air fryer's small size and powerful fan mean that it preheats faster than a conventional oven and cooks your cookies more rapidly, resulting in a beautiful golden brown exterior with a thin, crispy shell and a soft, doughy interior.

However, it is important to let your cookies cool before removing them from the air fryer basket. Most recipes recommend leaving the cookies in the basket for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This helps the cookies to set, making them easier to handle, and gives them time to continue cooking and firming up.

If you're using refrigerated cookie dough, it's best to let the cookies sit in the basket for an additional 2-4 minutes before removing them. This is because refrigerated dough tends to produce cookies that are still very soft and gooey, and they will be easier to handle once they've cooled a little.

Some recipes also recommend doing a test run with a single cookie before air frying a whole batch. This is because the strength of air fryers can vary, and you may need to adjust the temperature or timing to get the best results. If your test cookie cooks too quickly, try lowering the temperature by 20-25°F. If it doesn't look quite done, add a minute or two to the cooking time.

Air fryer cookie dough storage

Air fryer cookies are a quick and easy treat to make, and you can store your dough and baked cookies for enjoyment at any time.

Storing Cookie Dough

If you want to store your cookie dough for later, you can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to three months. To freeze cookie dough, scoop the dough into balls on a baking sheet and place it in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to firm up. Then, transfer the dough balls to a large freezer bag or wrap them in plastic wrap.

Storing Baked Cookies

Once you've baked your cookies, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze baked cookies for up to six months.

Tips for Baking Cookies in an Air Fryer

• Use parchment paper with perforations to ensure even baking.
• If using regular parchment paper, weigh it down with dough to prevent the air circulation from lifting the paper.
• If you don't have parchment paper, you can use aluminium foil sprayed with baking spray, but you may need to decrease the baking time.
• Do a test run with a single cookie to check the temperature and timing of your air fryer.
• If you're baking from frozen, let the dough come to room temperature for 10 minutes before air frying to help the cookies spread.
• If you have a baking pan that fits your air fryer, use it to avoid a mess.

Frequently asked questions