Air-Fried Sugar Cookies: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a convenient way to make sugar cookies, as they require little to no preheating, avoid heating up your kitchen, and allow you to make small batches of cookies quickly and efficiently. The rapid hot air circulation in an air fryer gives sugar cookies a slightly crispy outer edge while maintaining a tender and chewy centre. This method is also great for customising your cookies with different shapes, decorations, and flavours.

Ingredients and alternatives

Sugar cookies in an air fryer are easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients. The ingredients used in this recipe are similar to those used for oven-baked sugar cookies, and you can add your choice of toppings or mix-ins to customise your cookies. Here is a detailed list of ingredients and alternatives for making sugar cookies in an air fryer:

Butter

Unsalted butter is typically used as the base for the cookie dough, providing richness and moisture. If you only have salted butter, omit any added salt from the recipe.

Sugar

Granulated sugar is the standard choice for sweetening the cookies and achieving that classic sugar cookie taste. You can use any type of granulated sugar, such as white, brown, or raw sugar.

Egg

An egg helps bind the ingredients together and gives the cookies a nice texture. You can also use an egg substitute or aquafaba to make vegan sugar cookies.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract adds a delicious, warm flavour to the cookies. For a variation, you can substitute or add almond extract for a nutty aroma.

All-Purpose Flour

All-purpose flour is the primary structure-giving ingredient in the cookies, providing texture and stability. If you want to experiment with gluten-free flour, you may need to adjust the recipe slightly.

Baking Powder

Baking powder is the leavening agent that helps the cookies rise, resulting in a slight lift and a tender crumb.

Salt

A small amount of salt enhances the overall flavour of the cookies and balances the sweetness. If you are using salted butter, you may want to reduce or omit the added salt.

Toppings and Mix-Ins

You can decorate your sugar cookies with toppings such as sprinkles, coloured sugars, or icing after they are baked. For mix-ins, you can add candies, chips, or even peanut butter cups inside the dough before air frying.

Optional Ingredients

Some recipes suggest adding a small amount of milk to the mixture to achieve the desired consistency. Additionally, you can use parchment paper or a silicone mat to line the air fryer basket for easier cleanup.

Preparing the air fryer

Step 1: Line the Air Fryer Basket

First, you'll need to line the basket of your air fryer with parchment paper. Cut a piece of parchment paper that fits snugly inside the basket. It's important to ensure that the parchment paper doesn't overlap or hang over the sides, as this can interfere with the heating elements. You can also use an air fryer liner or a silicone baking mat for this step.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

While the air fryer doesn't require preheating, you can prepare the dough for your sugar cookies while gathering your ingredients. The dough-making process will vary based on your recipe, but it typically involves creaming softened butter and sugar together, adding in eggs and vanilla extract, and gradually mixing in dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, and salt. You can also add mix-ins like chocolate chips, candy pieces, or sprinkles to the dough.

Step 3: Shape the Cookies

Once your dough is ready, it's time to shape it into small balls or use cookie cutters to create fun shapes. If you're shaping the dough into balls, use a cookie scoop or your hands to portion out evenly-sized amounts of dough. Then, roll them into balls and place them on the prepared parchment paper inside the air fryer basket. Leave some space between the cookies to allow for air circulation and expansion during baking.

Step 4: Adjust Air Fryer Settings

Now, it's time to adjust the settings on your air fryer. Most recipes recommend setting the temperature between 325°F and 350°F (175°C). As for the cooking time, it usually ranges from 4 to 11 minutes, depending on the recipe and your air fryer model. Keep in mind that air fryers can vary, so it's important to keep an eye on your cookies during the cooking process to prevent overbaking.

Step 5: Air Fry the Cookies

With your cookies shaped and the air fryer ready, it's time to start cooking! Place the basket into the air fryer and let the magic happen. Remember that you might need to cook the cookies in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer basket.

Step 6: Cool and Decorate

Once the cookies are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack. This step is crucial, as it allows the cookies to firm up and reach the perfect texture. If you want to decorate your cookies, wait until they are completely cool before adding icing, sprinkles, or other toppings.

Mixing the dough

To make the dough for sugar cookies in an air fryer, you'll need a few simple ingredients: butter, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. You can also add in some sprinkles, chocolate chips, or other mix-ins for extra flavour and texture.

Start by combining the softened butter and sugar in a large bowl. Mix them together on medium speed until they are light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Once they're nice and creamy, you're ready for the next step.

Now, it's time to add in the egg and vanilla extract. Keep mixing for another 30 seconds or so until everything is well combined. Make sure you don't overmix the dough at this stage.

Next, you'll slowly add in the dry ingredients: the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix everything together gently until a soft dough starts to form. If the mixture becomes too thick or difficult to work with, use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and incorporate all the ingredients.

At this point, you can choose to mix in any additional ingredients like chocolate chips, candy pieces, or sprinkles. Gently fold them into the dough until they're evenly distributed.

And that's it! You've successfully mixed the dough for your sugar cookies. Now, you're ready to start shaping the dough into balls or cutting out fun shapes before placing them in the air fryer to cook. Remember to leave some space between the cookies in the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking. Enjoy your freshly baked treats!

Shaping the cookies

Roll the Dough:

Take portions of the cookie dough and roll them into small balls. The dough should be soft and easy to shape. Use a cookie scoop or your hands to portion out evenly-sized balls. This ensures that the cookies cook uniformly, with smaller cookies taking less time to bake than larger ones.

Flatten the Dough Balls:

Before placing the dough in the air fryer, flatten the balls slightly. You can use the bottom of a glass to gently press down on each ball. This step helps the cookies cook more evenly and prevents them from puffing up too much during baking.

Use Cookie Cutters:

If you want to get creative, use cookie cutters to create fun shapes with your cookie dough. This is especially enjoyable if you're baking with kids. Cut out different shapes like stars, hearts, or trees for festive occasions.

Space Out the Cookies:

When placing the shaped cookies on a parchment paper-lined tray or directly into the air fryer basket, make sure to leave some space between them. Allow for slight expansion during baking, as the cookies will spread and rise slightly. Overcrowding the air fryer can result in unevenly cooked cookies and may cause them to stick together.

Chill the Dough:

For better shape retention during air frying, chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before shaping and baking. This step is optional but can help you achieve a more defined cookie shape.

Avoid Overmixing:

When mixing the dry and wet ingredients to form the dough, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can affect the texture and shape of your cookies, making them tough and less likely to hold their shape.

Consider Batches:

Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you might need to bake the cookies in batches. This will ensure that each cookie has enough space to bake properly. You can also experiment with different batch sizes to find the optimal number of cookies for your air fryer.

Cooking and cooling

Once you've prepared your air fryer basket with a piece of parchment paper, it's time to start cooking your sugar cookies. Place your shaped cookies on the parchment paper, leaving about half an inch to an inch of space between them. This will prevent overcrowding and ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the cookies in batches.

Now, it's time to air-fry! Set your air fryer to the recommended temperature—this will vary depending on your air fryer and the specific recipe you are following. For example, some recipes suggest cooking at 350°F (175°C) for 6-8 minutes, while others recommend 370°F for 4-6 minutes. Keep a close eye on your cookies during the last few minutes of cooking, as air fryer cooking times can vary. The cookies are done when they turn a light golden brown colour.

Once the timer goes off, open the basket and let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling process is crucial, as it allows the cookies to firm up and become less fragile. It's important to let the cookies cool completely before decorating them, if desired.

Your sugar cookies are now ready to enjoy! You can store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a few days, or freeze them for longer-term storage.

Frequently asked questions