Air fryer cookies are as soft and comforting as the oven-baked classics! Soft dough dotted with melty chocolate chips never fails. This recipe will satisfy your cravings in no time!
Making a small batch of cookies in just 20 minutes is like a superpower in a busy household! Whether you have kids, are expecting guests, or are on the fence about what to bring to that party this afternoon, this air fryer cookies recipe is here to the rescue.
The air fryer has a bit of a reputation for “crisping” things up, but these air fryer chocolate chip cookies are dreamily soft. The pockets of melted chocolate are nestled perfectly in the sweet dough, just like the cookies we all grew up making in the oven. Now we can just make them quicker!
Once you master how to bake cookies in the air fryer, you can experiment with air fryer brownies, peanut butter cookies, white chocolate raspberry cookies, butterscotch cookies… all of your favorites!
How to Make Air Fryer Cookies
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Combine the butter and sugar with a whisk or hand mixer until fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla to the mixture and continue to beat until totally combined.
STEP TWO: Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl and combine. Add these dry ingredients to the egg and butter mixture, then beat until the soft dough forms.
STEP THREE: Drop the chocolate chips into the mixture and fold until they’re evenly dispersed.
STEP FOUR: Preheat the fryer to 300F. Once heated, add the air fryer parchment paper (learn how to use parchment paper in the air fryer here).
STEP FIVE: Scoop out golf ball-sized dough balls, flatten them slightly with your hand, and place them in the basket.
Place as many as you can, leaving at least 1 ½ to 2 inches of space between them, and bake for 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown on the top.
STEP SIX: Let sit in the basket for 5 minutes before lifting the paper and transferring them to a cooling rack.
Why Make Cookies In The Air Fryer?
Taking the time to learn how to make cookies in the air fryer will save you time in the long run. Making air fryer cookies is so much faster than baking them in the oven, and you don’t need to wait as long for the fryer to preheat, too.
Air fryer chocolate chip cookies are also great for making in small batches. It always feels like I’m wasting electricity baking just a few in the oven. With this recipe, you can even bake just two or three at a time without feeling wasteful.
And it’s just easier! The shorter time frame makes it less likely the dough will burn or undercook, and cleaning up is so easy.
Do You Have To Use Parchment Paper For Cookies In The Air Fryer?
It’s definitely easier to use parchment paper when making air fryer chocolate chip cookies. The melted chocolate can be lifted away and tossed in less time than it takes to scrub the basket!
They make specialized parchment paper with holes to be used in the air fryer, so I highly recommend using it instead of regular parchment paper which could affect the air movement in the fryer.
Of course, you can always buy regular parchment paper and cut some holes in it yourself!
How To Air Fry Nestle Tollhouse Cookies
Making air fryer chocolate chip cookies from refrigerated dough is just a tad different – you can’t just follow the instructions on the packaging because fryers don’t heat the same way as a traditional oven.
Allow for a bit more time when baking refrigerated air fryer cookies – closer to 8-10 minutes than 6-8. Refrigerated dough spreads less than room temperature, so that will be another difference.
Can You Bake Frozen Cookie Dough In An Air Fryer?
Similarly, it takes longer to bake cookies in the air fryer when the dough is frozen. It could take up to 15 minutes depending on the size of the cookie and model of the air fryer.
Like room temperature dough, look for that golden top as a sign that they’re ready to come out of the fryer.
And, of course, frozen dough spreads even less than refrigerated or room-temperature dough.
How Do I Know When My Cookies Are Done?
Cooked air fryer cookies will be golden brown on the surface and firm – the tops will be soft, but the edges will stay set with a light touch. You also shouldn’t be able to leave an indent on the surface of the cookie with your finger when they’re done baking.
Remember that air fryer cookies will be very soft when they come out of the fryer, so you won’t be able to lift them off the parchment paper right away. Let them cool for a while before plating.
More Cookie Recipes
- Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
- Oreo Cheesecake Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
- Hershey Kiss Cookies
More Air Fryer Desserts
- Air Fryer Cookie Cake
- Air Fryer Peach Cobbler
- Air Fryer Oreos
- Air Fryer Apple Crisp
- Air Fryer Lava Cakes
- Air Fryer Churros
- Air Fryer Smores
- Air Fryer Chocolate Cake
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Air Fryer Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter softened
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Beat the butter and sugars on high until light and fluffy, and the egg and vanilla and beat again
- Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, then add to the butter mixture and mix well
- Add the chocolate chips and stir
- Preheat the air fryer to 300 F, line the basket with air fryer parchment (with holes)
- Form small golf ball sized balls of dough and flatten slightly, then place into basket and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until golden on top
- Allow to sit in the basket for at least 5 minutes before removing to cool on a wire rack
Notes
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
Can i use monkfruit in place of regular sugars?
Absolutely! Just remember Monk Fruit can be much sweeter than regular sugar so I’d recommend starting with just one teaspoon of the monk fruit in place of the 1/3 cup of sugar this recipe calls for.