Air Fryer Cookies: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to make cookies. They can be used to make a variety of cookies, from chocolate chip to peanut butter, and even brownies. The best part is that you don't need to preheat your oven or deal with a full batch of cookies. You can make a small batch of just a few cookies to satisfy your sweet tooth without heating up your entire kitchen. The cookies turn out crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, with a perfect texture that is hard to achieve in a traditional oven.

Ingredients and preparation

Ingredients

The ingredients for air fryer cookies are similar to those for traditional cookies. You will need:

• Butter (unsalted or salted)
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar (dark or light)
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Salt (optional)
• Baking soda
• Chocolate chips or chunks (or other mix-ins of your choice)

Preparation

• Cream the Butter and Sugars: Place the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to beat the ingredients until well creamed, usually for about 1-2 minutes.
• Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the egg and vanilla extract, then beat the mixture until everything is well combined.
• Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, salt (if using), and baking soda.
• Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the mixing bowl. Mix until a soft dough forms. If you're adding chocolate chips or other mix-ins, stir them into the dough until they're evenly distributed.
• Shape the Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, shape the dough into balls, usually about 1-1 1/2 inch in size.
• Prepare the Air Fryer: Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, making sure the paper is weighed down by the cookie dough. Some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer to 300°F for 4-5 minutes, but this step isn't necessary.
• Bake the Cookies: Place the dough balls into the air fryer basket, leaving about an inch of space between each cookie. Air fry the cookies at temperatures ranging from 300°F to 350°F for 5-12 minutes, depending on the recipe and your desired level of doneness.
• Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes. They will continue to firm up as they cool. Enjoy your freshly baked air fryer cookies!

Tips and Variations

• Softening the butter ahead of time so it's ready to use.
• Each air fryer may have a slightly different cook time, so adjust the baking time as needed.
• Experiment with different mix-ins like crushed Oreos, various flavoured chocolate chips, or chopped candy bars.
• For thicker cookies, refrigerate the dough for at least an hour before shaping and baking.
• Always use parchment paper or aluminium foil to line the air fryer basket to prevent the cookies from sticking.
• You can also bake these cookies in a traditional oven if desired.

Cooking methods

The cooking methods for air fryer cookies are similar across the board, but there are slight variations in temperature and timing. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make cookies using an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough

Firstly, gather your ingredients. The basic ingredients for air fryer cookies are butter, sugar (white and/or brown), eggs, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, and chocolate chips. You can also add in other ingredients like milk, depending on the recipe you are following.

Once you have your ingredients, cream the butter and sugars together in a large mixing bowl. You can use an electric mixer or a stand mixer for this step. Beat the mixture until it is well creamed, which should take around 1-2 minutes.

Next, add in the egg(s) and vanilla extract, and beat the mixture until they are well combined.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients and Form Dough

Add the flour, salt, and baking soda to the mixing bowl of wet ingredients. Mix these ingredients until a dough begins to form. You can also add in any additional mix-ins at this point, such as chocolate chips, crushed Oreos, different flavoured chocolate chips, or even chopped candy bars.

Stir the mixture until everything is combined, and your cookie dough is ready.

Step 3: Shape the Dough

Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper. Cut a square of parchment paper to fit your air fryer, or purchase pre-made air fryer parchment paper liners with holes in them. It is important to ensure the parchment paper is weighed down with dough, as using parchment paper alone can be a fire hazard.

Using a cookie scoop or your hands, roll out balls of cookie dough and place them onto the parchment paper in the air fryer basket. Leave about an inch of space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking.

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

If desired, preheat your air fryer to around 300°F for 4-5 minutes.

Place the basket of shaped cookie dough into the air fryer and bake at 300-330°F for 5-12 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the desired doneness of your cookies.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Once the cookies are golden brown, let them sit in the air fryer basket for an additional 1-5 minutes. Then, gently lift the parchment paper out of the basket and let the cookies cool on a wire rack or the counter for a couple of minutes.

Your air fryer cookies are now ready to be served and enjoyed!

Tips and Tricks

• It is recommended to soften the butter ahead of time so it is ready to use.
• Each air fryer will have a slightly different cook time, so use the instructions as a guideline and adjust the baking time as needed.
• If you are making larger cookies, you may need to add a minute or two to the bake time.
• You can experiment with different mix-ins and add-ins to customise your cookies.
• If you don't want to deal with a full batch of cookies, you can make just a few at a time in the air fryer.
• For thicker cookies, it is recommended to refrigerate the dough for at least an hour before shaping and baking.
• Don't skip the resting time after baking, as this allows the cookies to firm up and prevents them from breaking.
• Keep an eye on the cookies during baking, as different air fryers may vary in temperature and cooking time.
• You can store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze them for up to 6 months.

Cooling and serving

Once your cookies are baked, it's important to let them cool. Remove the cookies from the air fryer basket and leave them to sit for at least five minutes. This will allow the molten middles to drop in temperature and prevent the cookies from breaking when you move them. You can leave them in the basket or on a wire rack to cool. If you're baking multiple batches, it's best to transfer them to a wire rack to free up the basket for the next batch.

While the cookies are cooling, they will continue to firm up. This is a good time to prepare any extras you want to add to your cookies, such as extra chocolate chips or crushed candy bars. You can also experiment with different toppings at this stage—sprinkle some sea salt on top, or add a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce.

Once the cookies have cooled, they will become more firm and are ready to be served. Air fryer cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze air-fried cookies for up to six months.

Storage

Air fryer cookies are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored for later. Here are some storage tips to keep your cookies delicious:

Storing Air Fryer Cookies

Leftover cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Keeping them covered will help retain their softness and chewiness.

Refrigeration

While not necessary, you can also store your cookies in the refrigerator, especially if you want to prolong their shelf life. They can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Freezing

If you have a large batch of cookies or want to enjoy them at a later date, freezing is a great option. Place the cookies in a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to three months. This is also a great option if you want to make the dough in advance and bake fresh cookies whenever a craving strikes.

Parchment Paper

When storing cookies in an airtight container, it is important to note that you should not use parchment paper alone in the air fryer. It must be weighted down by the cookie dough or other food items to prevent it from blowing into the fan and posing a fire hazard.

Reheating

To enjoy your frozen cookies, simply remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature. You can also pop them into the air fryer for a few minutes to reheat and enjoy that freshly baked taste and texture.

Cookie Dough

If you have leftover cookie dough, it can be stored in an airtight container or freezer bag and frozen for up to three months. This is a great option if you want to make a small batch of cookies at a time or if you're preparing dough in advance for future baking.

Portion Control

The beauty of air fryer cookies is that they are perfect for portion control. You can easily make a small batch of cookies whenever you crave them without the hassle of baking a large batch in a traditional oven.

Remember, air fryer cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but proper storage will ensure you can indulge in your sweet treats for days or even months later!

Customisation

Type of Cookie

The type of cookie you choose to make is an important customisation. Chocolate chip cookies are a classic option, but you can also try peanut butter cookies, brownie cookies, sugar cookies, snickerdoodles, or even cake mix cookies. If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different flavours and ingredients to create your own unique cookie recipe.

Mix-ins

Adding mix-ins to your cookie dough is a great way to customise your cookies. You can try crushed Oreos, different flavoured chocolate chips, chopped candy bars, walnuts, shredded coconut, candy buttons, or peanut butter chips. You can also get creative and experiment with your own mix-in ideas. Just be sure to fold them into your cookie dough gently so as not to overmix.

Type of Chocolate

If you're making chocolate chip cookies, you can customise them by using different types of chocolate chips or chunks. Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate are all popular options, but you can also get creative and use a mixture of different chocolates or even chop up your favourite chocolate bar.

Type of Sugar

The type of sugar you use can also affect the flavour and texture of your cookies. White sugar will help to keep your cookies crisp and firm, while brown sugar will make them softer and chewier. You can experiment with different ratios of white to brown sugar to find the perfect balance for your taste preferences.

Dough Preparation

How you prepare your dough can also affect the final product. For example, refrigerating your dough before baking will result in thicker cookies. You can also try freezing your cookie dough to bake at a later date. Additionally, the size of your cookie dough balls will affect the baking time and the final size of your cookies.

Baking Time and Temperature

Customising your baking time and temperature can help you achieve your desired cookie texture. For a gooey, fudgy centre, you may want to reduce the baking time by a minute or two. For crispier cookies, you can add an extra minute to the baking time. Keep in mind that different air fryers may vary in terms of wattage and cooking times, so you may need to experiment to find the perfect settings for your air fryer.

With these customisation ideas, you can create endless variations of air fryer cookies to suit your taste preferences and impress your family and friends!

Frequently asked questions