I love homemade chocolate-chip cookies, but sometimes I don’t have enough time to bake a whole batch. But luckily, using an air fryer is faster.
Air fryers have become a kitchen staple for their ability to cook food quickly and with less oil, but can you really use them to bake cookie dough? The answer is a resounding yes, and it’s a game-changer for cookie lovers. Whether you’re craving a single gooey cookie or a small batch of crispy-edged treats, the air fryer delivers in under 15 minutes. Let’s dive into how to make perfect air fryer cookies, what types of dough work best, and tips to avoid common pitfalls.
Why Use an Air Fryer for Cookie Dough?
Air fryers are essentially mini convection ovens, using rapid air circulation to cook food evenly and quickly. This makes them ideal for baking cookies, especially when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen with a full-sized oven. The intense, dry heat creates cookies with crispy edges and soft, fudgy centers, often in half the time of traditional baking. Plus, air fryers are perfect for small batches, so you can satisfy a craving without committing to a dozen cookies. According to King Arthur Baking, air fryers excel at achieving that coveted gooey-center, crispy-edge texture.
Types of Cookie Dough You Can Use
You’ve got options when it comes to cookie dough in the air fryer, and each comes with its own perks:
– Homemade Dough: Making your own dough lets you control the ingredients and customize flavors. A classic chocolate chip cookie dough, like the one from Preppy Kitchen, works beautifully. Just cream butter with brown and granulated sugar, add an egg, vanilla, flour, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips. For thicker cookies, chill the dough for at least an hour before air frying.
– Refrigerated Store-Bought Dough: Brands like Pillsbury or Toll House are convenient and air fryer-friendly. These doughs are pre-portioned, so you can pop a few rounds into the basket and bake right away. They’re great for quick treats, as noted on Fabulessly Frugal.
– Frozen Dough: Frozen cookie dough, whether store-bought or homemade, works too. Let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to help it spread, or bake straight from the freezer for taller, rounder cookies. Frozen dough may need an extra minute or two in the air fryer.
– Eggless or Specialty Doughs: If you’re avoiding eggs or following a vegan diet, eggless or plant-based doughs (like those from Immaculate Baking) are just as effective. These are especially handy for gooey cookie dough pots, a dessert trend where the dough is intentionally underbaked for a molten texture.
Step-by-Step Guide to Air Frying Cookie Dough
Here’s how to get those perfect cookies every time:
Tips for Air Fryer Cookie Success
– Test One Cookie First: Air fryer performance differs across brands. Bake a single cookie to nail down the perfect time and temperature before committing to a batch. If it browns too quickly, lower the temperature by 20–25°F; if it’s underdone, add 1–2 minutes.
– Don’t Overcrowd: Overloading the basket restricts air circulation, leading to uneven baking. Stick to small batches for consistent results.
– Customize Your Cookies: Mix in nuts, M&Ms, or white chocolate chips for variety. For a salty-sweet twist, sprinkle flaked sea salt on cookies right after baking.
– Try Cookie Dough Pots: For a decadent dessert, press dough into ramekins and air fry at 160°C for 12–14 minutes. The result is a crispy top with a gooey, spoonable center—perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
– Storage: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 320°F for 1–2 minutes to restore that fresh-baked texture.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
– Skipping Parchment: Without parchment, dough can stick to the basket or drip through the holes, creating a mess. Foil is an alternative, but it may cause sticking and isn’t ideal for all air fryers.
– Overbaking: Cookies may look underdone when you remove them, but they continue to set as they cool. Aim for golden edges and a slightly soft center.
– Ignoring Air Fryer Size: Smaller air fryers heat faster and may require less time or a lower temperature. Adjust based on your model’s wattage and capacity.
– Using Unweighted Parchment: Loose parchment can lift into the heating element, posing a fire risk. Always weigh it down with dough.
Air Fryer vs. Oven: Which Is Better?
While ovens are great for large batches, air fryers shine for speed and small portions. They don’t require lengthy preheating, and the rapid air circulation mimics a convection oven’s efficiency. However, air fryers can’t handle big batches, and their baskets need careful lining to avoid messes. If you’re baking for a crowd, stick with the oven; for a quick treat, the air fryer is unbeatable.
I thought the air fryer would give me quick results. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. I tried baking chocolate-chip cookies in the air fryer to see if they’d quickly satisfy cravings. I’ve made better chocolate-chip cookies before, but they’re never ready this quickly. If you only need one cookie, I think the air fryer is the perfect appliance for the job.
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