Can I Make Cookies in the Air Fryer

Craving a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie but don’t want to heat up the whole kitchen with your oven? You’re not alone. I’ve been there, staring at my air fryer, wondering if it can really pull off baking cookies as well as it crisps up fries. The good news? You absolutely can make cookies in an air fryer, and they turn out crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, with melty chocolate chips in just a fraction of the time it takes to bake in a traditional oven. Let’s dive into how to make this happen, what you need to know, and some tips to ensure your air fryer cookies are a hit every time.

Why Bake Cookies in an Air Fryer?

Air fryers are essentially mini convection ovens, using rapid hot air circulation to cook food quickly and evenly. This makes them perfect for small-batch baking, especially when you’re craving just a few cookies without the hassle of preheating a full-sized oven. Here’s why air fryer cookies are a game-changer:

• Speed: Cookies bake in about 5-12 minutes, compared to 9-15 minutes in a traditional oven. No long preheat time needed either!
• Texture: The intense, circulating heat creates a crispy exterior while keeping the center soft and gooey—perfect for that classic chocolate chip cookie vibe.
• Convenience: Ideal for small households or when you want just a couple of cookies. Plus, it keeps your kitchen cool, which is a blessing in warmer months.
• Easy Cleanup: With parchment paper or a small baking pan, cleanup is a breeze.

But before you scoop that dough, there are a few key things to understand to avoid common pitfalls and get bakery-worthy results.

What You’ll Need to Make Air Fryer Cookies

Whether you’re using homemade dough or store-bought, the process is straightforward. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cookie Dough: You can use your favorite recipe (like a classic chocolate chip dough) or pre-made refrigerated dough, such as Pillsbury or Nestle Toll House. Homemade dough gives you control over ingredients, but store-bought is perfect for speed.
• Parchment Paper: This is non-negotiable. The basket of an air fryer has holes for air circulation, and without parchment, your dough could drip through. Look for air fryer-specific parchment with pre-cut holes for better airflow, or cut regular parchment to fit and poke a few holes yourself.
• Air Fryer: Any model works, but basket-style air fryers (like the Cosori) are most common in recipes. If you have a toaster-oven-style air fryer, use a small baking tray that fits.
• Basic Tools: A cookie scoop (1-2 tablespoons), mixing bowls, and a spatula for homemade dough. A wire rack for cooling is handy too.

Pro Tip: If you’re using homemade dough, chill it for at least 30 minutes (or up to 3 days) before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape and enhances flavor. Store-bought dough is ready to go straight from the fridge.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cookies in an Air Fryer

Let’s walk through a simple recipe for chocolate chip cookies, adaptable to any air fryer. This recipe makes about 12-16 small cookies, but you’ll likely bake in batches of 4-6 depending on your air fryer’s size.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg (or 1 tbsp plant-based milk for eggless)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or a mix)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with a hand mixer until smooth and fluffy (about 1-2 minutes). Add the egg (or milk) and vanilla extract, mixing until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet until a dough forms. Stir in the chocolate chips. If time allows, cover and chill the dough for 30 minutes for better texture.
2. Prep the Air Fryer: Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of your air fryer basket, leaving a small border for air circulation. If using regular parchment, poke a few holes with a fork to allow airflow. Never preheat the air fryer with just parchment paper inside—it can lift and touch the heating element, posing a fire risk. Place the dough on the parchment to weigh it down.
3. Shape the Cookies: Use a 1-2 tablespoon cookie scoop to form dough balls. Place 4-6 balls on the parchment-lined basket, spacing them about inches apart to allow for spreading. Gently flatten each ball slightly for even cooking.
4. Bake: Set the air fryer to 325°F (160°C). Bake for 5-8 minutes, checking at 5 minutes. The edges should be golden brown, and the centers may look slightly soft—that’s okay, they’ll firm up as they cool. For larger cookies (about 4 inches), increase the time to 10-12 minutes.
5. Cool: Let the cookies sit in the air fryer basket (outside the fryer) for 3-5 minutes to set. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.

Note: Cooking times and temperatures vary by air fryer model. Start with a test batch to dial in the perfect time for your machine. If adapting an oven recipe, reduce the temperature by about 25°F and check early.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Cookies

Getting those crispy edges and gooey centers takes a bit of finesse. Here are some tried-and-true tips:

• Don’t Skip the Parchment: As mentioned, parchment prevents dough from dripping through the basket. Avoid foil unless greased, as cookies may stick, and it can cook faster, risking burning.
• Batch Size Matters: Air fryers have limited space, so bake in small batches (4-6 cookies max) to ensure even air circulation. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking.
• Adjust for Doneness: Prefer softer cookies? Reduce bake time by 1-2 minutes. Want them crispier? Add a minute. Check frequently the first time to learn your air fryer’s quirks.
• Try Mix-Ins: Swap chocolate chips for white chocolate, peanut butter chips, or even crushed Oreos for variety. Just avoid gooey toppings (like caramel) that might burn or stick.
• Freeze for Later: Scoop extra dough into balls and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the cook time. This is perfect for instant cookie cravings!

For more inspiration, check out this recipe from The Kitchn for a foolproof chocolate chip cookie method tailored for air fryers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve had my share of cookie mishaps, so let’s save you some trouble:

• Overcooking: Air fryers cook fast, so don’t walk away. Cookies can go from perfect to burnt in a minute. Check early and often.
• Skipping the Chill: Unchilled homemade dough can spread too much, leading to thin, crispy cookies when you wanted thick and chewy ones.
• Using Loose Parchment: If the parchment isn’t weighed down by dough, it can fly up and touch the heating element. Always place dough on it before starting the air fryer.
• Ignoring Your Air Fryer’s Size: Smaller air fryers may only fit 2-3 cookies, while larger ones (like a 6-quart Cosori) can handle your capacity to avoid overcrowding.

Can You Use Store-Bought Dough?

Absolutely! Pre-made dough, like Pillsbury or Nestle Toll House, is a lifesaver for quick air fryer cookies. Simply slice or scoop the dough, place on parchment, and air fry at 320°F for 7-9 minutes. For example, one user on Best Cookie Recipes shared success with Pillsbury dough, baking at 320°F for 9 minutes and letting them set for a few minutes post-cook. The result? Perfectly golden edges and soft centers.

Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Cookies

Got leftovers? Here’s how to keep them fresh:

• Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
• Freezing: Freeze baked cookies or dough balls in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: For that fresh-baked feel, pop cookies back in the air fryer at 350°F for 1-2 minutes, checking to avoid burning.

Why Air Fryer Cookies Might Become Your Go-To

After trying air fryer cookies myself, I’m hooked. The speed, the texture, the ease—it’s hard to go back to waiting for an oven to preheat when I’m craving a quick treat. Whether you’re whipping up a single giant cookie for a solo indulgence or a small batch for a cozy night in, the air fryer delivers. Plus, it’s fun to experiment with different doughs and mix-ins to see what works best in your machine.

So, next time that cookie craving hits, don’t hesitate to fire up your air fryer. With a little parchment paper and a few minutes, you’ll be biting into warm, gooey perfection. Got a favorite cookie recipe or air fryer trick? I’d love to hear about it—drop a comment and let’s swap ideas!