Air-Fried Chocolate Chip Cookies: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens when it comes to baking chocolate chip cookies. Not only do they yield cookies with crispy edges and soft, gooey centres, but they also cut down baking time by more than half.

The process is simple: mix your wet and dry ingredients, shape the dough into balls, place them in the air fryer, and let them bake for 5 to 10 minutes. You can also make the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer for future use.

So, if you're looking for a quick and easy way to make delicious chocolate chip cookies, give your air fryer a go!

How to make the dough

To make the dough for chocolate chip cookies in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Butter (unsalted, preferably from a stick, not a tub)
• White sugar (also known as granulated sugar)
• Brown sugar (light or dark)
• Egg(s)
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Salt (preferably kosher)
• Baking soda
• Chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate, or a mixture of all three)

You will also need a medium or large mixing bowl, a hand mixer or stand mixer, and a cookie scoop. Optionally, you can use a microwave-safe bowl for melting the butter.

Begin by melting the butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 10-20 seconds, or just until it begins to melt. If you prefer, you can brown the butter and let it cool instead. Then, add the brown and white sugars and beat until fully combined. Beat in the egg and vanilla and beat for another 30 seconds.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, salt, and baking soda. Then, stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips.

At this point, you can optionally cover the dough and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes to overnight. Refrigerating the dough helps set the butter and improves the flavour and texture of the cookies while baking. However, you can skip this step if you are in a rush.

How to shape the dough

Shaping the dough is an important step in making chocolate chip cookies in an air fryer. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to shape the dough for perfect air-fried cookies:

Start by lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper. This is an important step to prevent the dough from sticking to the basket and make it easier to remove the cookies once they are baked. Cut the parchment paper to fit the basket, ensuring it doesn't cover the entire surface to allow for maximum air circulation. You can also use pre-cut air fryer parchment sheets or make your own by cutting holes in regular parchment paper.

Next, use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion out the dough into balls. The recommended size is around 1-2 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Place the dough balls into the prepared air fryer basket, leaving about an inch of space between each cookie to allow for spreading. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can typically fit 2-5 cookies per batch.

If you want thicker cookies, consider refrigerating the dough for at least an hour before shaping it. Chilling the dough will also help the cookies hold their shape better during baking.

When shaping the dough, it's important to handle the dough as little as possible to prevent overworking it. Gently roll the dough between your hands to form balls, being careful not to compact the dough too much. Place the dough balls onto the prepared air fryer basket, ensuring they are evenly spaced.

Once you have shaped and placed all the dough balls into the air fryer basket, they are ready to be baked! Follow the baking instructions provided in your chosen recipe, and remember to allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes in the air fryer basket before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

By following these steps, you will be able to shape the dough perfectly for air-fried chocolate chip cookies.

How to bake the cookies

To bake the cookies, start by preparing the cookie dough. Whisk the butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until fluffy, then stir in the remaining ingredients. Cover the dough and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes to a few days.

Next, line your air fryer with parchment paper or aluminium foil. If using parchment paper, cut it to fit your air fryer and poke holes in it to allow for air circulation. If using aluminium foil, mould it into your air fryer, ensuring there are no creases.

Now, scoop the cookie batter into your air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, leave a space of about 1-1.5 inches between each ball of dough to allow room for spreading. You should be able to fit 2-5 cookies in a batch.

Air fry the cookies at 300-325°F for 5-10 minutes, or until they are golden and cooked through. If your air fryer has a basket, place the cookies back in the basket outside of the air fryer and let them cool for 2-5 minutes. If your air fryer doesn't have a basket, let the cookies cool in the air fryer for 5 minutes. Finally, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to finish cooling.

How to store the cookies

Now that you've baked your chocolate chip cookies in the air fryer, it's time to store them. Here are some tips to ensure they stay fresh and delicious:

Cooling and Storing:

First, let your cookies cool down completely. This is an essential step because if you put warm cookies in a closed container, they will create moisture in the form of steam, which will ruin them. Once they're cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. You can use freezer bags or a cookie jar if you don't have containers, but make sure they're airtight.

Storing Different Types of Cookies:

If you've baked different types of cookies, such as soft and crispy cookies, it's best to store them separately. Soft cookies produce more moisture, which can affect the texture of dry or crispy cookies. Store them in separate containers or layers, with parchment paper between each layer.

Storing at Room Temperature:

If you plan to eat your cookies within a few days, you can store them at room temperature. Unrefrigerated cookies will stay fresh for about two to three days. If you're using a cookie jar that's not airtight, put the cookies in a sealable plastic bag first to keep the air out before storing them in the jar.

Storing in the Fridge:

While cookies can last in the fridge for up to two weeks, it's best to eat them within a few days. Cookies with perishable ingredients like ricotta, jam, or meringue will need to be stored in the fridge if they won't be eaten within a few hours. Let the cookies cool completely, then place them in a fully sealable plastic bag or container and store them in the fridge.

Storing in the Freezer:

If you want your cookies to last even longer, you can freeze them. Baked cookies can be stored in the freezer for up to a year. Place them in sealable plastic containers designed for freezing. You can also use freezer bags, but make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. Label the container and put it in the freezer. When you're ready to enjoy your frozen cookies, thaw them in the oven at a low temperature (250°F to 300°F) for around 10 minutes until they're warm.

Additional Tips:

• Don't mix different types and flavors of cookies in the same container, as they can affect each other's texture and flavor.
• If you're storing soft or chewy cookies, consider wrapping them in plastic wrap before placing them in the airtight container for extra moisture protection.
• Store the cookie container in a cool, dry place, away from heat sources like a hot stove.
• Don't store the cookies in the refrigerator, as it can dry them out.
• You can store cookie dough in the refrigerator for 1-2 days to blend and mature the flavors, but for longer-term storage, it's best to freeze the dough.

How to adapt the recipe

The air fryer is a great way to make chocolate chip cookies, but there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to adapt the recipe to your liking. Here are some tips to help you get the perfect cookies:

• Temperature and Timing: The ideal temperature for baking chocolate chip cookies in an air fryer is around 320°F to 325°F. The baking time can vary depending on the desired texture, but it typically ranges from 5 to 10 minutes. Keep in mind that air fryers can vary, so it's a good idea to do a test batch first and adjust the timing as needed.
• Batch Size: Air fryers have limited space, so it's best to bake these cookies in small batches of 2 to 5 cookies at a time, depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Preheating: Preheating the air fryer is not always necessary. Some recipes suggest preheating for a few minutes, while others skip this step altogether.
• Lining the Air Fryer: Using parchment paper or aluminium foil to line the air fryer basket is essential to prevent the cookie dough from dripping through the holes. Pre-cut air fryer parchment paper liners are available, or you can cut your own parchment paper or foil to fit your air fryer, ensuring you leave enough space for air circulation.
• Dough Preparation: For the best results, it is recommended to chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 3 days before baking. This helps to set the butter and enhances the flavour and texture of the cookies.
• Customisations: You can customise your chocolate chip cookies by using different types of chocolate chips, such as milk, dark, or white chocolate, or adding mix-ins like walnuts, pecans, shredded coconut, or candy pieces.
• Storing and Freezing: Freshly baked cookies are best consumed within a few days, but you can extend their shelf life by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze cookie dough for up to 3 months and bake fresh cookies whenever a craving strikes!
• Oven Baking: If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake these cookies in a traditional oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the cookies for 9 to 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Frequently asked questions