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

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to conventional ovens for baking cookies. They are faster, require less clean-up, and are perfect for baking in small batches. While they may not produce the prettiest cookies, air fryers are great for those who want to satisfy a quick craving for a freshly baked cookie without the hassle of baking an entire batch.

Preheat your air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making sugar cookies. While it is not always necessary, doing so will help you nail down baking times and reliably replicate your results in the future. Preheating usually takes just 2 to 3 minutes, which is significantly faster than the 15 to 20 minutes required to preheat a conventional oven.

The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer to will depend on the type of cookies you are making and the specific model of your air fryer. Most air fryers have a temperature range of about 180°F to 400°F. The “bake” setting on your air fryer will typically automatically set the temperature to 350°F, which is suitable for many cookie recipes. However, if your recipe calls for a different temperature, you can select your desired temperature on the control panel.

If your air fryer does not have a "bake" setting, you can use the “air fry” setting, but be aware that your cookies may brown more quickly due to the constant flow of hot air from the convection fans. To prevent this, you can try lowering the temperature by 25°F or tenting a piece of aluminum foil over the pan to protect the cookies from direct heat.

Once your air fryer has preheated to the desired temperature, you can place your cookie dough in the basket or on a parchment-lined tray and begin the baking process. Remember to leave some space between the cookies to allow for even cooking and air circulation.

Use a cookie scoop

Using a cookie scoop is a great way to ensure your sugar cookies are all uniform in size and shape. Scoops are especially useful if you are making a large batch of cookies and want to save time. They also help to reduce the mess and stickiness of handling cookie dough with your hands.

If you don't have a cookie scoop, you can use a spoon to portion out the dough, or you can use your hands to roll the dough into balls. However, using a cookie scoop will give you the most consistent results.

When using a cookie scoop, simply scoop out the dough and release it onto your prepared baking sheet or air fryer basket. Leave enough space between each scoop of dough to allow for spreading during baking.

If you are using a basic air fryer basket, you may need to line it with parchment paper before scooping the dough to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. You can also use an air fryer liner, which is designed to fit the basket and catch any drips or spills.

Once you have scooped all your dough into the basket, you can follow the rest of your air fryer sugar cookie recipe as usual. Remember to preheat your air fryer and keep an eye on your cookies as they bake, as the cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model.

Using a cookie scoop is a simple way to ensure your sugar cookies are evenly sized and shaped, making them look and taste great!

Flatten the dough balls

Flattening the dough balls before placing them in the air fryer is an important step in making sugar cookies. This step helps the cookies cook evenly and prevents them from puffing up too much or spreading into each other during the cooking process.

To flatten the dough balls, you can use a glass or a cup. Simply place the glass or cup over the dough ball and gently press down until the dough is slightly flattened. You don't want to flatten it too much, just enough so that it has a slightly thinner and more uniform shape.

When flattening the dough balls, it's important to remember not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave enough space between each dough ball so that hot air can circulate around them. This will ensure that the cookies cook evenly and don't stick together.

If you are making a large batch of cookies, you may need to cook them in smaller batches to ensure that you don't overcrowd the air fryer. You can also use parchment paper or an air fryer liner to prevent the cookies from sticking and make cleanup easier.

By flattening the dough balls before air frying, you will end up with cookies that have a more consistent shape and texture. This step is especially important if you want to decorate your sugar cookies or add toppings, as it provides a better base for your decorations.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer

When making sugar cookies in an air fryer, it's important to not overcrowd the air fryer basket. This is because air fryers rely on hot air circulation to cook food evenly and give it that desired crispy texture. If the basket is overcrowded, the hot air won't be able to circulate properly, resulting in uneven cooking and soggy cookies.

To ensure proper air circulation, it's best to cook the cookies in small batches. While it may be tempting to stack or squish more cookies into the basket to cook them all at once, this will likely lead to disappointing results. By cooking smaller batches, you'll allow for better airflow and faster cooking, as air frying generally takes less time than roasting or frying.

The number of cookies you can cook at once will depend on the size of your air fryer basket. As a general rule of thumb, leave about 2 inches (5 cm) of space between each cookie. This will prevent them from sticking together and ensure they cook evenly. If you're using parchment paper, make sure it's cut to fit the basket snugly, with holes poked in it for airflow, to prevent it from blowing up due to the circulating air.

Additionally, when placing the cookies in the basket, keep them away from the air fryer's walls and leave some space between the cookies and the basket's sides. This will further promote even cooking and browning.

Let the cookies cool

Once the timer goes off, it's time to take your cookies out of the air fryer. But don't be tempted to dive straight in – you need to let the cookies cool first. This is an important step as it helps the cookies to firm up and become less fragile. Leave the cookies to cool for at least 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack. Be careful not to burn yourself when removing the cookies from the air fryer, as it will still be hot.

While you're waiting for the cookies to cool, you can get started on the clean-up. One of the benefits of using an air fryer is that there's very little clean-up required. If you've used parchment paper, simply throw it away and give the air fryer basket a quick wipe. If you've cooked the cookies directly on the basket, you may need to give it a more thorough clean. Either way, it's much easier than cleaning a traditional oven.

Once the cookies have cooled down, it's time to enjoy them! Air fryer sugar cookies have a crispy exterior with a chewy centre, so they're best enjoyed fresh. If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

You can also freeze the cookies for up to three months. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and put them in the freezer until they're solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. When you're ready to enjoy them, you can thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Frequently asked questions