Air-Fried Peanut Butter Cookies: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Peanut butter cookies are a delicious treat, and baking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Air fryers are perfect for making small batches of cookies, and they cook up in a flash! In this article, we'll teach you how to make perfect peanut butter cookies in your air fryer, with tips and tricks for getting that ideal balance of crispy and chewy. So, get ready to indulge your cookie cravings with this handy guide!

Choosing the right peanut butter

• Type of Peanut Butter: Opt for a processed, creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy. These brands provide the ideal consistency and texture for air-fried peanut butter cookies. Natural-style peanut butter, while a healthier option, tends to yield dry and crumbly cookies due to its higher oil content. If you prefer a crunchy texture, you can use the crunchy variants of Jif or Skippy.
• Consistency: Before using natural peanut butter, ensure that it is well-mixed. The oil tends to separate and rise to the top, so a thorough mix is necessary to achieve a homogeneous consistency.
• Flavour: If you're a fan of salty-sweet combinations, consider using a salted peanut butter. This will enhance the flavour profile of your cookies and create an intriguing contrast.
• Add-ins: For an extra peanutty punch, consider adding chopped peanuts or peanut butter chips to your cookie dough. This will amplify the peanut butter flavour and create a delightful crunchy texture.
• Chilling: While not mandatory, chilling your peanut butter cookie dough for about an hour can help prevent over-spreading. This is especially beneficial if you're aiming for thicker cookies.
• Storage: If you have leftover peanut butter, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. This will help maintain its freshness and consistency.

Mixing the ingredients

Once you have your ingredients, add them to a large mixing bowl and combine until you have a smooth, creamy consistency. You can use a spoon or an electric mixer for this step. Make sure not to overmix the dough. If you are making a larger batch, you may want to chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before portioning and shaping your cookies. This will make the dough easier to work with and help the cookies hold their shape during baking.

Now, it's time to portion and shape your cookies. Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop out dough, rolling it into small balls in the palm of your hand. Place the balls of dough onto a piece of parchment paper, leaving about an inch of space between each one. Then, use a fork to flatten the cookies slightly, creating a crisscross pattern on top. This step is not just decorative; it also helps the dense peanut butter cookie dough bake more evenly.

And that's it! Your cookie dough is now mixed, portioned, and shaped, ready to be baked in your air fryer.

Chilling the dough

While the dough is chilling, you can prepare a sheet of parchment paper the same size as the basket or tray of your air fryer. Parchment paper is necessary because, without it, the dough could seep through the breathing holes in the bottom of the air fryer as the cooking process starts. No one wants to clean up that mess!

You can also use the time while the dough is chilling to preheat your air fryer to 315°F, 370°F, or 350°F, depending on your recipe.

Preparing the air fryer

Before you start making your peanut butter cookies, there are a few things you need to do to prepare your air fryer. Firstly, it is recommended that you line the bottom of your air fryer basket with parchment paper. This will make cleanup easier and prevent the cookie dough from seeping into the basket. You can use pre-cut parchment paper with holes, or you can cut your own parchment paper to fit the size and shape of your air fryer basket. If you don't have parchment paper, you can also use a silicone liner or aluminium foil, but note that foil may cause the cookies to cook too quickly and unevenly.

Once you have your parchment paper or liner ready, you can start preparing your air fryer by placing it inside the basket. Leave enough space between each cookie to allow for even cooking and spreading. Most recipes recommend leaving about an inch or half an inch of space between each cookie. Depending on the size and shape of your air fryer, you may be able to fit between 4 and 6 cookies at a time.

After placing the cookies on the parchment paper, you will need to preheat your air fryer. The ideal temperature for baking peanut butter cookies seems to be around 300-370°F, but this may vary depending on your air fryer model. Remember to consult your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions and guidelines.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can place the basket inside and set the timer for the recommended cooking time. Most recipes suggest baking the cookies for around 4-8 minutes, but again, this may vary depending on your air fryer. Keep an eye on your cookies to ensure they don't overcook or burn.

Cooking and cooling the cookies

Once you've prepared your cookie dough, it's time to cook your cookies!

Cooking the Cookies

First, line the bottom of your air fryer basket with a silicone or perforated parchment liner. Place your cookies on top in a single layer, spaced about an inch apart. You can use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop the dough onto the liner, and a fork to flatten and create a crisscross pattern on top.

Next, turn on your air fryer and set the temperature. Different recipes suggest different temperatures, ranging from 300°F to 400°F. Check your air fryer model's instructions for the best results.

Cooking time also varies, but generally, you'll want to aim for around 5-8 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown. Keep a close eye on them, as air fryers can vary dramatically in terms of cook times.

Cooling the Cookies

Once the cookies are done, remove the basket from the air fryer and let the cookies cool for a few minutes. They will be very soft, so leaving them in the basket for a few minutes will allow them to set before you try to remove them.

After they've cooled slightly in the basket, use a spatula to transfer the cookies to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Once the cookies have cooled completely, you can store them in an airtight container or resealable bag. They will stay fresh at room temperature for 3-5 days, or you can freeze them for up to a month.

Frequently asked questions