Air Fryer Cookie Hack: From Premade To Perfect

Air fryers are a great alternative to ovens when it comes to baking cookies. They are faster, easier to use, and create a crisp exterior with a gooey interior. The circulating air cooks the food faster and at a lower temperature, similar to a convection oven. The cookies are baked in around five minutes, and the shorter baking time means you're less likely to walk away and forget about them.

Choosing the right cookie dough

Type of Cookie Dough

You can use either homemade or store-bought cookie dough for your air fryer cookies. Store-bought dough offers convenience, as it saves you time and effort in preparing the dough from scratch. Pillsbury and Toll House, for instance, offer a variety of refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough options that are ideal for air frying. On the other hand, making your own cookie dough gives you greater control over the ingredients and allows you to customize the flavour to your liking.

Ingredients

When selecting a premade cookie dough, carefully read the ingredient list to ensure it aligns with your preferences and dietary needs. For example, if you follow a vegan diet, look for plant-based butter and chocolate chips in the ingredient list. Some popular options for vegan cookie dough include Kroger's Simple Truth Plant-Based Cookie Dough. Additionally, consider any allergies or dietary restrictions you may have and choose a dough that accommodates them.

Dough Texture

The texture of the cookie dough will impact the final result in your air fryer. For instance, if you prefer thicker cookies, look for a dough that is on the firmer side, as it will hold its shape better during baking. Conversely, a softer, more malleable dough will spread out more and result in thinner, crispier cookies.

Dough Temperature

It is essential to consider the temperature of your cookie dough, especially if you are using refrigerated or frozen dough. For the best results, follow the specific instructions on the packaging for refrigerated dough. Frozen dough should be allowed to thaw slightly before air frying, as this will help it spread more during cooking. However, if you prefer taller and rounder cookies, you can air fry the dough straight from the freezer.

Portion Size

Pay attention to the portion size of the cookie dough you choose. Select a dough that allows you to form uniform balls or portions, ensuring that each cookie is roughly the same size. This will help ensure even cooking in the air fryer and prevent some cookies from burning or undercooking. A cookie scoop can be a helpful tool to portion out the dough evenly.

Storage

Consider the storage requirements of the cookie dough. If you don't plan on using the entire batch of dough at once, choose a product that can be easily stored and reused later. Some doughs can be refrigerated or frozen after opening, allowing you to bake a few cookies at a time and save the rest for later. Check the packaging for specific storage instructions.

Preparing the air fryer basket

Firstly, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. This is an important step to prevent the cookies from sticking to the basket. Cut the parchment paper to fit the basket if needed. It is recommended to use parchment paper with holes or perforations, specifically designed for air fryers, to ensure proper airflow and even baking. If using regular parchment paper, make sure to weight it down with the cookie dough to prevent it from flying around loose in the basket.

Next, spray the parchment paper with non-stick cooking spray. This step is optional but helps to ensure that the cookies do not stick to the paper and makes clean-up easier.

Now you are ready to place the cookie dough on the parchment paper. Roll out the premade cookie dough into balls and flatten them slightly, shaping them into uniform, flat circles. Leave a space of about 2 inches between each piece of cookie dough to allow for even cooking and expansion during baking. A standard air fryer basket can fit about 3-4 cookies, depending on their size.

Once the cookie dough is placed in the basket, your air fryer basket is ready for baking!

Baking the cookies

Now that you have your premade cookie dough, it's time to bake those cookies in your air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving delicious, freshly baked cookies:

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer. Set the temperature to 320°F (160°C) and let it heat up for about 2 minutes. This step ensures that your air fryer is ready to go and will help you achieve the best results for your cookies.

Step 2: Line Your Air Fryer Basket

While your air fryer is preheating, it's time to prepare your air fryer basket. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of your basket. Parchment paper helps to prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Place the parchment paper in the basket, and you're ready for the next step.

Step 3: Shape Your Cookie Dough

Take your premade cookie dough and shape it into flat circles or balls. If your dough is already portioned into individual pieces, that's perfect! If not, divide it into the desired number of cookies. Remember not to press the dough too thin, as it will spread during baking.

Step 4: Place the Cookie Dough in the Air Fryer

Gently place your shaped cookie dough onto the parchment paper in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave some space between each piece of dough, as the cookies will spread during baking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to bake 3-4 cookies at a time.

Step 5: Air Fry the Cookies

Close the air fryer drawer or basket and set the temperature to 320°F-350°F (160°C-177°C). The exact temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer and the cookie recipe you are following. Bake the cookies for 5-8 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as air frying times may vary. The cookies are done when the edges are golden brown and the centers are set but still soft.

Step 6: Let the Cookies Cool

Once the cookies are done, don't be tempted to dig in just yet! Let the cookies cool in the air fryer basket for a few minutes with the basket closed. Then, open the basket and allow them to cool for an additional couple of minutes before removing them. This cooling process is crucial, as it helps the cookies firm up and prevents them from falling apart.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Freshly Baked Cookies

After the cookies have cooled slightly, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling. If you can resist eating them all right away, you can store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 6 months.

Cooling the cookies

Cooling your cookies is an important step in the baking process. Once your cookies are done in the air fryer, remove the basket and let the cookies cool in the basket for a few minutes. The cookies will still be very soft and will firm up as they cool. Leaving them in the basket for too long, however, may cause them to become overly crispy, so it is important to transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This will ensure that they cool evenly and prevent them from becoming soggy.

It is recommended to let the cookies cool in the basket for about 2-5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Leaving them in the basket for too long can cause them to overcook and become dry and hard. The cookies will continue to cook and firm up as they cool, so it is important to find a balance.

Once you have transferred the cookies to a wire rack, let them cool completely before storing them. This will ensure that they are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. If you are making a large batch of cookies, you may need to work in batches to ensure that the cookies cool properly.

Additionally, if you are making ice cream sandwiches, place them in the freezer until ready to serve. This will ensure that the ice cream does not melt and create a mess.

Storing the cookies

Storing Cookies at Room Temperature

Cookies can be stored at room temperature, but they will only stay fresh for about two to three days. To prevent them from going stale, cover them with plastic wrap or keep them in an airtight container. If you plan to store them in a cookie jar or tin, place them in a sealable plastic bag first to keep air out before putting them in the jar or tin.

Storing Cookies in the Fridge

If you want your cookies to last longer, consider storing them in the fridge. They can stay fresh for up to two weeks when refrigerated. Place the cookies in a fully sealable plastic bag or container. It is best to consume them within a few days and freeze the rest if you don't plan to eat them within four days of baking.

Storing Cookies in the Freezer

The freezer is the best option if you want to keep your cookies for more than four days. Baked cookies can be frozen for up to a year, although some sources suggest a maximum of six months for the best quality. Place the cookies in sealable plastic containers designed for the freezer or use freezer bags. To thaw frozen cookies, remove them from the freezer and let them come to room temperature on a baking sheet. You can also revive them by heating them in an oven at 325ºF for two to three minutes.

Storing Different Types of Cookies

It is important to store different types of cookies separately. Soft cookies should be kept away from crisp cookies to prevent them from drying out and becoming soft, respectively. Additionally, different flavours of cookies should be stored separately to prevent the flavour profiles from blending. For example, store oatmeal cookies separately from gingersnaps.

Storing Cookie Bars

Cookie bars are best stored in the pan you baked them in. Cover the pan with foil or place it in a large resealable bag. If the cookie bars contain perishable ingredients, such as a cream cheese glaze, store them in the fridge, where they will stay fresh for up to two weeks.

Storing Cookies Without Frosting

It is recommended to avoid frosting cookies before storing them. Frosted cookies take up more space in the fridge, and the end result looks cleaner without frosting. Instead, wrap unfrosted cookies in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container in the freezer. Thaw them at room temperature before frosting and serving.

Frequently asked questions