Air-Fryer Cookie Dough: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

how to cook cookie dough in an air fryer

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to make a small batch of cookies. The air fryer's small cooking space means you can only make a few at a time, but this also means you can satisfy your sweet tooth without having to bake a full batch. Air fryer cookies are also versatile, allowing you to experiment with different flavours and textures. The intense heat and air circulation of the air fryer create a crispy exterior and a gooey, fudgy centre—a universally loved textural profile.

Characteristics Values
Temperature 160ºC-370ºF
Time 7-14 minutes
Preheat Not required, but if your air fryer has a preheat function, preheat to 300°F
Parchment Paper Required to line the air fryer basket, with holes poked for air circulation
Quantity 3-4 cookies at a time
Dough Refrigerate for at least an hour for thicker cookies
Cooling Leave cookies in the air fryer for 2-5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely
Storage Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for up to 6 months

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How to prepare the dough

Preparing the dough for cookies in an air fryer is a simple process. First, gather your ingredients. You can use a mix of light brown soft sugar and white granulated sugar, or just one or the other. You will also need butter – you can use a baking spread, margarine, or unsalted butter. If you opt for the latter, add salt to taste. If you prefer your cookies salty, you can add more.

Next, you will need to mix your ingredients. You can use a stand mixer, an electric hand mixer, or a bowl and spoon. Beat the butter and sugars together, then stir through milk and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, cornflour, bicarbonate of soda, and salt. You can use all-purpose flour, also known as plain or white flour, and be sure to sift it well to ensure there are no clumps. Then, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently fold them through until combined. Finally, stir through the chocolate chips. If you are not adding chocolate chips, you can skip this step.

If you want thicker cookies, cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least an hour. You can also refrigerate or freeze the dough if you don't want to bake all the cookies at once.

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Air fryer temperature and timing

Air fryers are small but mighty, and they are great for baking cookies. The cooking time is short and the cleanup is minimal. Plus, you can make just a few at a time if you don't want a full batch.

The temperature and timing for air-frying cookies depend on the type of cookie dough you are using. For instance, if you are using a refrigerated cookie dough, preheat your air fryer to 320°F for 2 minutes. Place 3 to 4 cookies in the air fryer basket, leaving a 2-inch space around each cookie. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the edges turn a deep golden brown.

If you are using a freshly made cookie dough at room temperature, bake at 320°F for 9 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies are spread and golden on top. For chilled or frozen cookie dough, bake at a lower temperature of 270°F for 11 to 13 minutes.

If you want to make thicker cookies, you can refrigerate the dough for at least an hour before baking. This will help the cookies hold their shape.

Different air fryers may have different temperature settings, so you may need to experiment a little to find the perfect temperature and timing for your cookies.

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Shaping the dough

First, it's important to note that the dough should be soft and pliable. If you've just mixed the dough, it's a good idea to let it rest for a few minutes before shaping. This will make it easier to work with and prevent it from sticking to your hands or utensils.

Next, prepare your work surface. Lightly flour your hands and the surface to prevent the dough from sticking. You can also use parchment paper or a silicone mat to roll out the dough.

Now, it's time to roll the dough. Use a cookie scoop or a spoon to portion out the dough into evenly sized balls. For most air fryers, you'll want to make 12 balls of dough, but this may vary depending on the size of your air fryer and the size you prefer your cookies. Aim for a uniform size to ensure even cooking.

When shaping the dough balls, use your hands to gently roll and shape them into round or oval shapes. Avoid overworking the dough, as this can affect the texture of your cookies. You can also slightly flatten the dough balls to help them spread and puff during baking, creating that desirable crispy edge and soft centre.

After shaping each dough ball, place them on a lined baking sheet or tray. If you plan to bake the cookies immediately, you can line your air fryer basket with parchment paper and place the shaped dough directly into it, leaving space between each cookie to allow for spreading.

Finally, if you're not baking the cookies right away, you can refrigerate or freeze the shaped dough balls. This is a great option if you want to prepare the dough in advance or only bake a few cookies at a time. Just make sure to follow the recommended storage guidelines for the specific cookie dough recipe you're using.

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Lining the air fryer basket

To line the air fryer basket, start by tearing off a piece of parchment paper that is slightly larger than the basket's bottom. It is important to use parchment paper, as other materials may not withstand the high temperatures of the air fryer. Some sources suggest poking holes in the parchment paper to allow for better air circulation during cooking. However, others advise against this, as it may cause the paper to fly around in the air fryer and potentially catch fire during the preheating process. Therefore, it is essential to check your air fryer's instructions or consult the manufacturer's guidelines to determine if poking holes is necessary for your specific model.

Place the parchment paper in the air fryer basket, ensuring it covers the entire bottom surface. You can secure the paper by placing a cookie dough ball on top of it, pressing it down gently to hold the paper in place. This will prevent the paper from flying around during preheating or cooking.

Once the parchment paper is in place, you can start shaping your cookie dough and placing it in the basket for air frying. Remember to leave enough space between each cookie dough ball to allow for spreading during cooking.

By lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper, you can ensure that your cookies will release easily from the basket after cooking and help achieve the perfect air-fried cookies.

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Cooling the cookies

Once the cookies are baked, it's important to let them cool. Leave the cookies in the air fryer basket for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will still be very soft and gooey, so it's best to remove them from the basket on the piece of parchment paper they were baked on.

The cooling process is key to achieving the perfect texture. The middle of the cookie is very hot and needs to drop several degrees to allow the exterior to crisp and contain its soft interior. The cookies will also firm up as they cool. If you're making a large batch, you can continue air frying the remaining cookies while the first batch cools.

It's important to note that the cookies will still be cooking as they cool, so be sure to remove them from the air fryer basket after a few minutes to prevent overcooking. The length of time you leave them to cool will depend on your desired level of doneness. If you prefer your cookies slightly underdone, a shorter cooling time will ensure a softer, gooier centre. For a more traditional cookie texture, allow them to cool for longer.

Once the cookies have cooled, they can be stored at room temperature, covered, for up to a week. They can also be frozen for up to six months.

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Frequently asked questions

It takes about 7-10 minutes to cook cookie dough in an air fryer. The time may vary depending on the number of cookies and the desired texture.

The ideal temperature for cooking cookies in an air fryer is between 160ºC and 180ºC. If you prefer your cookies slightly less cooked, you can set the temperature to 320°F or 325°F.

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can typically cook 3-4 cookies at a time. It is important to leave enough space between the cookies to allow them to spread and cook evenly.

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