Air Fryer Soft Cookie Secrets Revealed

Air fryers are a great alternative to baking cookies in a conventional oven. They can bake a few cookies in about half the time an oven takes, and they don't need much time for preheating. The high fan speed and concentrated heat of the air fryer make the outside of the cookie crispy while keeping the inside gooey.

To make soft cookies in an air fryer, you'll need to prepare the dough, spray the inner basket with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper, and then bake the cookies for around five minutes. You can also use a small baking pan if you have one that fits in the air fryer basket. The time and temperature will depend on the type of cookie you're making and the specific model of your air fryer, but generally, you'll want to bake at around 325°F to 350°F for 5-10 minutes.

It's important to note that not all cookies are created equal when it comes to air frying. Cookies with gooey toppings or sprinkled sugar may burn more easily, so it's best to choose a recipe where all the ingredients are incorporated, like chocolate chip or lemon cookies.

Choosing the right ingredients

Flour: Use all-purpose flour, also known as plain or white flour. Gluten-free flour can also be used if needed. Sift the flour well to ensure there are no lumps, as this will help create a smoother dough and more consistent cookies.

Leavening Agent: Baking soda or bicarbonate of soda is typically used as the leavening agent in air fryer cookies. It helps the cookies rise slightly and prevents them from overspreading.

Salt: Adding a pinch of salt enhances the sweetness of the cookies and balances the flavours.

Sugars: Combining white and brown sugar is ideal. White sugar helps keep the edges of the cookies crisp and firm, while brown sugar contributes to a softer and chewier texture in the middle. Adjust the ratio of white to brown sugar depending on your desired level of crispness or chewiness.

Butter: Unsalted butter is generally preferred, and it should be in stick form rather than from a tub. Butter from a tub often contains added water, which can affect the texture of the cookies.

Milk: Milk is used to add moisture to the dough. You can use regular milk or plant-based alternatives like unsweetened almond milk.

Flavouring: Vanilla extract is a classic flavouring for cookies, but you can also experiment with other extracts or flavourings like almond or orange extract.

Mix-ins: Chocolate chips are a popular choice, and you can use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, or a mixture. However, feel free to get creative and substitute them with walnuts, shredded coconut, candy buttons, or peanut butter chips.

When choosing your ingredients, always follow the specific measurements provided in your chosen recipe. Additionally, if you plan to chill or freeze your cookie dough before baking, ensure that your ingredients are suitable for this step. For example, some recipes recommend chilling the dough to allow the flavours to develop further.

Mixing the dough

To make soft cookies in an air fryer, you'll need to start by preparing your cookie dough. Here's a detailed guide on mixing the dough:

When mixing the dough, you'll want to ensure you have all the necessary ingredients and tools on hand. Gather your ingredients, including flour, sugar, butter, eggs, baking soda or powder, and your choice of mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts. You'll also need a large mixing bowl, a hand mixer or stand mixer, and some elbow grease!

First, cream the butter and sugars together in your mixing bowl. This process helps to aerate the mixture, creating a light and fluffy base for your dough. Use your hand mixer or stand mixer on a medium speed setting to combine these ingredients until they are well incorporated and have a creamy consistency.

Next, you'll want to add in your wet ingredients. This includes eggs, vanilla extract, and, if using, milk. Stir these ingredients into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until they are fully incorporated. Be sure not to overmix at this stage, as you want to avoid activating the gluten in the flour, which can make your cookies tough.

Once your wet ingredients are combined, it's time to add in the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda or powder, and a pinch of salt if desired. Gradually add this mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring as you go, until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough at this stage, as it can affect the texture of your cookies.

Finally, fold in your mix-ins of choice. This could be chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, or anything else you'd like to include in your cookies. Gently stir them into the dough until they are evenly distributed.

At this point, you can choose to chill your dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to help it firm up, which will make it easier to handle when shaping your cookies. However, this step is optional, and if you're in a rush, you can proceed directly to shaping and air-frying your cookies.

Now that your dough is mixed and ready, you can move on to the next steps of shaping the dough, air-frying, and enjoying your freshly baked soft cookies!

Shaping the dough

Start by lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper. This is crucial as it prevents the dough from sticking and creates a barrier between the cookies and the air fryer surface. Some recipes suggest using aluminium foil, but parchment paper is generally preferred as it ensures the cookies don't stick.

Next, use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough into balls. Aim for uniformity in size so that the cookies bake evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can place 2-5 balls of dough into the basket, ensuring they are spaced adequately apart to allow for spreading. For instance, one recipe suggests using a 5cm cookie scoop to create dough balls weighing about 50-60g each, and placing three of them in the basket at a time.

If you prefer thicker cookies, you can consider refrigerating the dough before shaping it. This step is optional but can help enhance the texture and flavour of the cookies. One recipe recommends chilling the dough for at least an hour, while another suggests 30 minutes to overnight.

After placing the dough balls into the air fryer basket, you may gently flatten them slightly to create a cookie shape. This step is not mandatory but can help ensure even baking.

Finally, remember that air fryers have limited space, so it's best to bake the cookies in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. This will ensure each cookie has enough room to spread and cook evenly.

By following these shaping and portioning instructions, you'll be well on your way to making delicious soft cookies in your air fryer!

Baking the cookies

Now that you've prepared your cookie dough, it's time to bake your cookies in the air fryer!

First, line the basket of your air fryer with parchment paper. This is an important step as it will prevent your cookies from sticking to the basket. You can also use aluminium foil, but parchment paper works much better. If using parchment paper, some people recommend piercing holes in it, but this is not necessary.

Next, scoop your cookie dough into the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you should be able to fit 2-5 cookies about 1/5 inches apart to allow space for spreading. If you're using a Ninja Air Fryer, you can fit three cookies in the basket at once.

Now it's time to bake your cookies! Place the basket in the air fryer and set the temperature to between 160ºC and 350ºF. The exact temperature and baking time will depend on the recipe you are using and whether your dough is chilled or at room temperature. As a general rule of thumb, air fry your cookies for around 5-10 minutes or until the edges are slightly firm or just golden. If your dough is chilled or frozen, you may need to bake your cookies for a little longer, around 11-13 minutes.

Once the cookies are baked, remove the basket from the air fryer and let the cookies sit in it for about five minutes. This will help them to set and make them easier to remove. Then, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

And that's it! You've now baked delicious, soft cookies in your air fryer. Enjoy your freshly baked treats!

Cooling the cookies

After removing the cookies from the air fryer, it is essential to let them cool down before indulging. Place the cookies on a wire rack, which allows air to circulate around them, promoting even cooling. This step helps the cookies firm up and prevents them from breaking or falling apart. Depending on the recipe, you may need to let the cookies cool in the air fryer basket for a few minutes before transferring them to the wire rack.

The cooling process is crucial for achieving the perfect texture and consistency in your soft cookies. During this time, the cookies will continue to cook slightly and firm up, so it's important to be patient. The recommended cooling time can vary, but generally, it's best to let them cool for at least five minutes in the basket and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

While cooling, resist the temptation to move or stack the cookies, as they are still fragile and can break or stick together. It's also important to note that the cookies will be very hot initially, so allowing them to cool makes them easier to handle and prevents burns.

Once the cookies have cooled, you can enjoy their soft and chewy texture. You can store any leftover cookies at room temperature, covered, for about a week, or freeze them for up to six months.

Frequently asked questions