Air Fryer Cookie: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to make cookies, especially if you're craving a small batch of freshly baked cookies without having to turn on your oven. Air fryer cookies are known for their crispy edges and gooey, soft, fudgy centres. The prep time is minimal, and the baking time is significantly shorter than traditional ovens, making it a great option when you want a quick sweet treat.

How to cook a cookie in the air fryer

Ingredients and alternatives

The ingredients for making cookies in an air fryer are quite simple. You can use store-bought chocolate chip cookie dough or make your own dough from scratch. Here is a list of ingredients for a basic chocolate chip cookie dough:

• All-purpose/plain/white flour
• Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
• Salt
• White and brown sugar (or all of one or the other)
• Butter (preferably unsalted butter from a stick) or margarine/baking spread
• Milk (any type)
• Egg (optional)
• Vanilla extract (optional)
• Chocolate chips or other mix-ins of your choice, such as walnuts, shredded coconut, candy buttons, or peanut butter chips

If you are making your own cookie dough, simply combine the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. Then, gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined. Finally, stir through your chosen mix-ins.

For thicker cookies, it is recommended to refrigerate the dough for at least an hour or even overnight. Chilling the dough is not necessary, but it can help the cookies hold their shape better during baking.

Preparing the dough

Firstly, sift the flour well to ensure there are no clumps, and use gluten-free flour if needed. Then, add the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar to a large bowl. Beat these ingredients on medium-high speed using a hand mixer for about 3 minutes.

Next, add the egg and vanilla to the mixture and beat on medium speed for about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all the ingredients are combined. Now, add the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix on low speed until there are no dry streaks of flour remaining.

Finally, set aside the mixer and stir in your choice of mix-ins by hand. You can use chocolate chips, walnuts, shredded coconut, candy buttons, or peanut butter chips. A spatula is a useful tool to easily incorporate the mix-ins.

Once the dough is prepared, you can shape it into balls and place them in the air fryer. If you want thicker cookies, it is recommended to refrigerate the dough for at least an hour before shaping and air frying.

Shaping the cookies

Start by lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper. This step is crucial as it prevents the cookie dough from sticking to the basket and ensures easy removal once the cookies are baked. The parchment paper also allows for even cooking and achieves the desired crispy texture.

Next, use a cookie scoop to portion out the cookie dough into balls. Aim for uniformity in size to ensure consistent baking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can typically fit 3 to 4 cookie dough balls in the basket, allowing for adequate space for the cookies to spread during baking.

For thicker cookies, consider refrigerating the dough before shaping it. Chilling the dough helps to firm it up and can lead to a denser, chewier cookie. If you have the time, it is recommended to refrigerate the dough for at least an hour, or even overnight for more pronounced results.

When shaping the dough, gently roll the cookie dough into balls using your hands. Place them onto the lined air fryer basket, leaving enough space between each ball to allow for spreading. If you prefer a flatter cookie, you can gently press down on the dough balls to slightly flatten them before placing them in the air fryer.

Once you have shaped and arranged the desired number of cookies in the air fryer basket, they are ready to be baked. Remember to follow the specific temperature and timing guidelines provided by your chosen recipe for optimal results.

Baking the cookies

First, prepare the cookie dough. If you're making your own, simply combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, and fold in chocolate chips or other treats of your choice. If you're using store-bought dough, simply divide it into even portions. For thicker cookies, it's a good idea to refrigerate the dough for at least an hour, or even overnight.

Next, prepare your air fryer basket. Line it with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking, or use a small baking pan if you have one that fits. You can also spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray. Place the cookies about 1 inch apart, leaving room for them to spread. For a basic chocolate chip cookie, air fry at 350°F/170°C for 5-8 minutes, or until the edges are slightly firm. If you're baking from frozen, add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.

Keep an eye on the cookies, as air fryers can vary. If they still feel raw, continue air frying in one-minute intervals until done. Once they're baked, leave the cookies in the basket for a couple of minutes before removing them, as they will still be soft and gooey. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool for five minutes. If you want that "freshly baked" taste when you serve them, pop them back into the air fryer and warm them up for 2 minutes.

And that's it! You've baked delicious, gooey cookies in your air fryer.

Storing the cookies

Firstly, if you plan to eat the cookies within a week, you can store them at room temperature. Cover the cookies or keep them in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out or absorbing other odours from the fridge. This method is ideal for cookies you plan to eat within a few days.

If you want to keep the cookies for longer than a week, consider freezing them. Place the cookies in a ziplock bag or airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. This method is perfect for making a large batch of cookies and enjoying them at a later date. When you're ready to eat the frozen cookies, you can reheat them in the air fryer to give them that "freshly baked" flavour and warmth. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and warm the cookies for about 2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds to ensure they don't burn.

It is important to note that the storage method you choose may depend on personal preference and how long you intend to keep the cookies before consuming them. Room temperature storage is more convenient and suitable for immediate consumption, while freezing is ideal for long-term storage and preserving the cookies for future enjoyment.

Frequently asked questions