Air Fryer Cookie Recipes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens, especially when it comes to baking cookies. They can be used to make a small batch of cookies without heating up the entire kitchen. The cookies will have a crispy exterior and a gooey, soft interior. The best part is that you can use store-bought cookie dough or make your own with simple ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, and chocolate chips. The air fryer's small chamber and intense heat allow for even cooking and that perfect crispy-gooey texture.

Choosing the right cookie dough

Type of Cookie Dough

The type of cookie dough you choose will depend on your preference and the desired outcome. You can opt for a simple and classic vanilla cookie dough or explore more creative options. Some popular choices include chocolate chip, peanut butter, brownie, and oatmeal cookie dough. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even experiment with different mix-ins like crushed Oreos, various flavoured chocolate chips, or chopped candy bars.

Ingredients

When selecting a cookie dough recipe or a store-bought option, pay attention to the ingredients. The basic ingredients typically include butter, sugar (white granulated and/or brown sugar), eggs, vanilla extract, flour, baking soda or powder, and salt. However, you can also customise your dough by adding additional ingredients like chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruits, or spices.

Chilling the Dough

Chilling your cookie dough before baking can help keep the cookies in better shape. While it's not always necessary, chilling can improve the texture and consistency of the dough, making it easier to work with. Consider recipes that recommend chilling the dough for the best results.

Fresh vs. Refrigerated Dough

You can choose between using fresh, room-temperature cookie dough or chilled or refrigerated dough. The baking temperature and time may vary depending on the dough's temperature. For instance, if you're using chilled or frozen dough, it's recommended to bake at a lower temperature for a slightly longer period.

Store-Bought vs. Homemade

Whether you opt for store-bought or homemade cookie dough is a matter of convenience and personal preference. Store-bought cookie dough is a convenient option if you want to keep things simple, while homemade dough allows you to customise the ingredients and create unique flavour combinations. If you choose the homemade route, remember to plan ahead, as most recipes recommend refrigerating the dough for at least an hour or even overnight before baking.

Portioning and Scooping

Consider the portioning and scooping instructions provided with the cookie dough recipe or on the store-bought packaging. The size of the cookies you make will impact the baking time and the number of cookies you can bake in your air fryer at once. Most recipes suggest using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon to portion the dough into evenly sized balls.

Air fryer settings

Preheating

Preheating your air fryer is not always necessary, but it can help ensure even cooking. If you choose to preheat, set your air fryer to 300°F (149°C) for 4-5 minutes.

Temperature and Timing

The ideal temperature and timing for your cookies will depend on the size of your cookies and the consistency of your dough. Here are some guidelines:

• For room temperature dough, bake at 320°F (160°C) for 9-10 minutes or until the cookies are slightly golden.
• For chilled or frozen dough, reduce the temperature to 270°F (132°C) and increase the baking time to 11-13 minutes.
• For larger cookies, you may need to add a minute or two to the baking time.
• If you're baking from frozen, add an extra minute to the baking time.

Air Fryer Basket Setup

Line the bottom of your air fryer basket with parchment paper or foil to prevent the cookie dough from sticking. Some recipes recommend piercing holes in the parchment paper, while others suggest using a pan on top of the parchment to ensure the cookies bake through.

Post-Baking

Resist the temptation to devour your cookies immediately! Allow the cookies to cool in the air fryer basket for a few minutes after baking. This helps the cookies to set and achieve the perfect texture.

Experimentation

Every air fryer model is slightly different, so you may need to experiment with the settings to find what works best for your machine. Adjust the temperature and timing as needed until you achieve the ideal cookie texture and doneness.

Final Thoughts

Using an air fryer to make cookies offers several advantages, including quicker cooking times, no oven preheating, and the ability to make smaller batches. With the right settings and a little practice, you'll be able to enjoy delicious, freshly baked cookies anytime without heating up your entire kitchen!

Baking times and temperatures

The baking time and temperature for cookies in an air fryer depend on the type of cookies you are making and the model of your air fryer. For example, the baking time for chocolate chip cookies ranges from 5 to 12 minutes, and the temperature from 300 to 330°F (150 to 165°C).

If you are making cookies from scratch, it is recommended to refrigerate the dough for at least an hour, or even overnight, before baking. This helps the dough to firm up and improves the texture of the cookies.

When using an air fryer, it is important to remember that the baking time may vary depending on the model and wattage of your appliance. As such, it is a good idea to keep a close eye on your cookies while they are baking and adjust the time as needed. Additionally, some air fryers have different settings, such as "Bake" and "Air Fry", which may require different temperatures and baking times.

For example, if you are using the "Bake" function on your air fryer, it is recommended to set the temperature to 320°F and bake the cookies for 5 to 6 minutes. On the other hand, if you are using the "Air Fry" function, set the temperature to 300°F and bake for 7 to 8 minutes.

It is also worth noting that the size of your cookies will affect the baking time. Smaller cookies will bake faster, while larger cookies may need a minute or two more.

In terms of preparation, some recipes suggest preheating your air fryer for a few minutes before baking, while others claim it is not necessary. However, if you do choose to preheat your air fryer, always make sure that there is dough or another weighted item in the basket to prevent the parchment paper from blowing into the fan and posing a fire hazard.

Lastly, it is important to let your cookies cool for a few minutes after removing them from the air fryer. This helps the cookies to firm up and achieve the perfect texture.

Cookie size and shape

The size and shape of your cookies will depend on your preferences and how many people you are serving. Air fryers are great for making small batches of cookies, so you can easily make a few cookies to suit your craving.

If you are making larger cookies, you will need to adjust the baking time accordingly. For example, one source recommends adding one or two minutes to the baking time for larger cookies. Another source recommends using a higher baking temperature of 350°F for larger cookies.

When shaping your cookie dough, it is important to leave enough space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking. Most recipes call for leaving about one inch or one centimetre of space between each cookie.

You can also experiment with different shapes for your cookies. While most recipes call for shaping the dough into balls, you can try making different shapes such as stars or hearts, especially if you are making cookies for a special occasion.

The size and shape of your cookies will also depend on the type of air fryer you have. Some air fryers may have size or weight limitations, so it is important to refer to your air fryer's instructions or user manual for specific guidelines.

Additionally, the size and shape of your cookies can affect the baking time and temperature. For example, thicker cookies may require a longer baking time, while thinner cookies may bake more quickly.

Overall, the great thing about making cookies in an air fryer is that you can easily experiment with different sizes, shapes, and baking times to find what works best for you.

Storing and freezing cookies

Storing Cookies:

If you have any leftover cookies, you can store them in an airtight container or bag. They will keep well on the counter for up to a week or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Freezing Cookies:

Freezing cookies is a great way to make sure you always have cookies on hand for unexpected guests, bake sales, or when you're craving something sweet. Here are some tips for freezing your cookies:

• Freeze baked cookies: Place the completely cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet or large, flat surface. Once they are frozen solid, transfer them to a flat-bottomed airtight container, separating each layer with parchment or waxed paper.
• Freeze cookie dough: Depending on the type of dough you have, there are different methods for freezing. For drop cookie dough (like chocolate chip or oatmeal), portion out the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet until firm. Then, transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag or airtight container. For slice-and-bake doughs (like shortbread), roll the dough into a log, wrap it tightly, and place it in a freezer bag. For cut-out cookie dough, you can either shape it into a disc, wrap it, and freeze, or cut out the desired shapes, freeze them on a baking sheet, and then transfer them to an airtight container.
• Label your doughs: If you're freezing multiple types of dough, be sure to label them, especially if they require different baking treatments.
• Thawing dough: The best way to thaw frozen dough is to let it sit in the fridge overnight. For drop cookie dough balls or pre-cut cookies, you can place them on a baking sheet and let them stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes before baking.
• Freeze for up to 6 months: Properly stored and wrapped cookies and doughs can be frozen for up to 6 months!

So, go ahead and bake a big batch of air fryer cookies and store or freeze them for whenever your cookie cravings strike!

Frequently asked questions