Air-Fryer Fried Cookie Dough: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Air fryers are a quick and convenient way to make fried cookie dough. The process is simple: mix the ingredients, shape the dough, and air fry! The result is a delicious treat with a golden brown exterior and a soft, doughy interior. You can use homemade or store-bought cookie dough, and the air fryer's small size means you get a fast cook time with crispy edges.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in ensuring your cookies cook evenly. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer for the perfect batch of fried cookie dough:

Firstly, it is important to understand why preheating is necessary. Air fryers work by blowing hot air through a cavity, resulting in even cooking. Preheating the air fryer ensures that the cavity is at the optimal temperature for cooking, allowing for even heat distribution during the cooking process. This helps to create the desired golden brown exterior and soft, doughy interior of your fried cookie dough.

Now, let's get into the specifics of preheating your air fryer:

• Start by setting the temperature. For fried cookie dough, you will typically want to preheat your air fryer to around 320-325°F (160-170°C). This temperature will vary slightly depending on the recipe you are following and the specific model of your air fryer, so be sure to consult your recipe and the manufacturer's instructions.
• Open the air fryer drawer or basket. This is an important step, as you will need to place a piece of parchment paper at the base of the air fryer. Parchment paper helps to ensure that your cookie dough doesn't stick to the surface and makes cleanup easier. Some people choose to pierce holes in the parchment paper, but this is not necessary for all air fryers.
• Place a circle of parchment paper on the base of the air fryer. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the size of your air fryer basket or drawer. It is important to use parchment paper that is specifically designed for air fryers, as it has perforations that allow for better air circulation and even baking. If you don't have air fryer parchment paper, regular parchment paper can also be used.
• Close the air fryer and turn it on. Once you have placed the parchment paper inside, close the air fryer and set it to the preheat setting if your model has one. If not, simply turn on the air fryer and let it run for a few minutes until it reaches the desired temperature. Most air fryers will have an indicator light or a beep to let you know when it is preheated.
• Check the temperature. To ensure your air fryer has reached the correct temperature, you can use an oven thermometer. Place the thermometer inside the air fryer, being careful not to touch the heating element. Wait until the thermometer reads the desired temperature before proceeding.
• Adjust the temperature if needed. If your air fryer does not reach the desired temperature, you may need to adjust the settings. Consult your air fryer's manual to determine how to adjust the temperature.
• Preheat for the appropriate amount of time. The amount of time needed to preheat your air fryer will vary depending on the model. Smaller air fryers may take as little as 2-3 minutes, while larger models may take up to 5 minutes or more. Again, refer to your air fryer's instructions for specific preheating times.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your air fryer is properly preheated and ready to cook your fried cookie dough to perfection!

Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper

Lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper is an important step in making fried cookie dough. It ensures that the cookie dough doesn't stick to the basket and makes cleanup easier. You can use regular parchment paper or parchment paper with perforations designed specifically for air frying, which improves airflow and results in more even baking.

To line the air fryer basket, cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of the basket. Some people recommend piercing holes in the paper, but this is not necessary. It's important to weigh down the paper with the cookie dough or another item, as the airflow may lift the paper into the heating elements.

Using parchment paper in the air fryer is a safe and effective way to bake cookies, and it makes cleanup a breeze!

Make the cookie dough

Making the cookie dough is simple and quick. You will need a few basic ingredients, such as butter, sugar, flour, and chocolate chips. You can also add an egg and vanilla extract to enhance the flavor and texture.

To make the dough, start by mixing the wet and dry ingredients separately. Cream the butter and sugars together in a large bowl until they are well combined. You can use a hand mixer or a spoon to do this. Then, in a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, and a pinch of salt.

Once the wet and dry mixtures are ready, it's time to combine them. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough. Finally, stir in your desired mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, nuts, or other treats.

If you have time, it is recommended to chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to help it firm up and develop more flavor. This will also make it easier to handle when shaping the dough balls. However, if you are in a hurry, you can skip this step and proceed to shaping and air-frying your cookies.

Shape the dough into balls

Now it's time to shape the dough into balls! Using a cookie scoop, take a portion of the dough and roll it into a ball between your palms. If you don't have a cookie scoop, you can use a spoon or your hands to scoop and shape the dough. The dough should be soft and pliable, making it easy to roll into balls. Repeat this process until you have used up all the dough, placing the balls on a tray or plate as you go.

For uniform-sized cookies, aim for each ball to be between 50 and 60 grams, or use a tablespoon measure to scoop the dough. This will ensure your cookies are all the same size and cook evenly in the air fryer. If you prefer a thicker cookie, lightly press down on the dough balls to flatten them slightly before placing them in the air fryer.

If you want to bake your cookies in batches, place the tray of shaped dough in the refrigerator to keep the dough firm while the first batch cooks. This will also help the cookies retain their shape when they go into the air fryer.

Once you have shaped all your dough into balls, you are ready to start air-frying! Place the dough balls into the air fryer basket, leaving space between them to allow for spreading. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.

Air fry the cookies

Now that you have your cookie dough ready, it's time to air-fry those cookies! Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

First, line your air fryer basket with a circle of parchment paper. This is an important step as it will prevent the cookie dough from sticking to the basket. You can use regular parchment paper or parchment paper with perforations, which is specifically designed for air frying. If you don't have parchment paper, you can also use aluminium foil or small foil pans as a substitute.

Step 2: Place the Cookie Dough in the Air Fryer

Next, place your cookie dough balls on the parchment paper, leaving some space between them. The number of cookies you can fit in your air fryer will depend on the size of your air fryer and the size of your cookies. A standard air fryer can typically fit about 3-5 cookies, but you may need to bake them in batches.

Step 3: Air Fry the Cookies

Now it's time to air fry those cookies! Close the air fryer and set the temperature to 320-325°F (160-170°C). The cooking time will depend on the type of dough you are using. For homemade fresh dough, air fry for 6-7 minutes. For frozen dough, air fry for 9-11 minutes, and for refrigerated dough, air fry for 8-9 minutes. If you are baking larger cookies, you may need to increase the cooking time.

Step 4: Let the Cookies Cool

Once the cookies are done, remove the basket from the air fryer and let the cookies cool in the basket for 2-5 minutes. This will help them set and make them easier to handle. Then, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to finish cooling.

And that's it! You now have delicious, golden brown cookies with a crispy shell and a soft, doughy interior. Enjoy your freshly baked treats!

Frequently asked questions