Can You Make Cookies in an Air Fryer Discover How

Yes, you can make cookies in an air fryer—and they come out perfectly golden, chewy, and delicious in less time than traditional baking. With minimal preheating and easy cleanup, air fryer cookies are a game-changer for quick, satisfying treats using your favorite dough recipes.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, air fryers can bake cookies: Achieve crispy edges and soft centers with proper timing.
• Preheat for best results: Ensures even baking and prevents undercooked dough.
• Use parchment or silicone mats: Prevents sticking and simplifies cleanup effortlessly.
• Adjust time and temperature: Lower heat (325°F) and shorter cook times prevent burning.
• Space dough evenly: Avoid overcrowding to ensure consistent browning and texture.
• Experiment with batches: Test small batches to perfect your air fryer cookie recipe.

Can You Make Cookies in an Air Fryer? The Surprising Answer

When air fryers first hit the market, they were hailed as a revolutionary way to achieve crispy, golden results with a fraction of the oil traditionally used in deep frying. Over time, their versatility has expanded far beyond fries and chicken wings—now, home cooks are using air fryers for everything from reheating leftovers to baking desserts. One of the most intriguing questions to emerge in recent years is: can you make cookies in an air fryer? The answer isn’t just a simple yes or no—it’s a resounding yes, and here’s how to do it perfectly every time.

Imagine biting into a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie with a slightly crisp exterior, all without preheating your oven or waiting for it to cool down after baking. That’s the magic of air fryer cookies. Not only do they cook faster, but they also retain moisture better, resulting in a texture that’s often more consistent than oven-baked versions. Whether you’re a busy parent, a college student in a dorm, or someone looking to reduce energy consumption, the air fryer offers a convenient, efficient, and surprisingly effective way to satisfy your sweet tooth. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the science behind air fryer baking, walk through step-by-step recipes, share expert tips, and compare results with traditional oven methods—all so you can confidently whip up delicious cookies in your air fryer.

How Air Fryers Work: The Science Behind Baking Cookies

Convection vs. Conduction: What Makes Air Fryers Unique

To understand why air fryers can bake cookies so effectively, it helps to know how they work. Air fryers use a powerful heating element and a high-speed fan to circulate hot air rapidly around food. This process is known as convection cooking. Unlike traditional ovens that rely on radiant heat (which warms the air slowly and unevenly), convection ovens and air fryers force hot air to move around the food, resulting in faster and more even cooking.

This rapid air movement mimics the effects of deep frying—crisping the outside while keeping the inside moist—but without the need for submerging food in oil. For cookies, this means the exterior can develop a light crust while the center stays soft and chewy. The compact size of most air fryer baskets also plays a role: the smaller cavity allows for more concentrated heat, which helps cookies rise and set quickly.

Temperature and Timing: Why It Matters for Cookies

Cookies rely on precise temperature and timing to achieve the right balance of spread, rise, and texture. In a conventional oven, temperatures are typically set between 325°F and 375°F (163°C–190°C), with baking times ranging from 8 to 12 minutes. Air fryers, however, operate at a slightly higher temperature due to the intense airflow. Most air fryers run 25–50°F hotter than their set temperature, so recipes often require adjustments.

For example, if your recipe calls for 350°F in the oven, you’ll likely need to set your air fryer to 325°F to avoid over-browning. Additionally, air fryer cookies usually bake in 6 to 9 minutes, depending on size and thickness. This shorter time reduces the risk of dryness and helps preserve the cookie’s moisture content. The key is to monitor the first batch closely—once you find the sweet spot for your model, you can replicate it consistently.

Air Fryer Basket Design and Airflow

Not all air fryers are created equal. Some have square baskets, others are round, and a few are even dual-basket models. The design affects how air circulates and how many cookies you can bake at once. For optimal results, avoid overcrowding. Most standard air fryers (3.5 to 5.8 quarts) can fit 4–6 cookies per batch, depending on size.

Pro tip: Use parchment paper or silicone liners to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. These also help maintain airflow by keeping the cookies elevated slightly above the basket. Avoid using aluminum foil unless you poke holes in it—otherwise, it can block airflow and lead to uneven baking.

Best Types of Cookies to Bake in an Air Fryer

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are the ultimate test for any baking method, and the air fryer passes with flying colors. The convection heat ensures even browning, while the quick bake time keeps the chocolate chips from fully melting into a gooey mess (unless you want them to!).

For best results, use a standard recipe but reduce the oven temperature by 25°F. Drop 2-tablespoon scoops onto a parchment-lined basket, spacing them at least 1 inch apart. Bake at 325°F for 7–8 minutes. The result? A cookie with a slightly crisp edge and a soft, chewy center—perfect for dunking in milk.

Oatmeal Raisin and Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk

Oatmeal cookies benefit from the air fryer’s ability to crisp the outside without drying out the oats. The raisins or chocolate chunks stay plump and moist thanks to the shorter bake time. Try a recipe with brown sugar, butter, oats, and a touch of cinnamon. Bake at 320°F for 7 minutes for a soft texture, or 8 minutes for a crispier bite.

Tip: Soak raisins in warm water for 10 minutes before adding to the dough to prevent them from burning or drying out during cooking.

Peanut Butter and Nut-Based Cookies

Nutty cookies like peanut butter or almond flour cookies are excellent candidates for air fryer baking. Their high fat content helps them crisp nicely without sticking. For peanut butter cookies, roll the dough into 1-inch balls, flatten with a fork, and bake at 315°F for 6–7 minutes. The result is a slightly chewy cookie with a golden-brown crosshatch pattern.

For a gluten-free option, try almond flour cookies sweetened with maple syrup and studded with dark chocolate. These bake beautifully at 320°F for 6.5 minutes—just long enough to set without overcooking the delicate nut flour.

Drop Cookies and Muffin-Top Varieties

Drop cookies (like snickerdoodles or sugar cookies) work exceptionally well in air fryers. Their high sugar and fat content helps them caramelize quickly, while the convection heat ensures even spread. For snickerdoodles, roll the dough in cinnamon sugar and bake at 325°F for 7 minutes. They’ll puff up slightly and develop a crackled surface—just like oven-baked ones.

Muffin-top cookies (thick, domed cookies baked in muffin tins) can be adapted for air fryers by using silicone cupcake liners. Fill each liner with dough, bake at 320°F for 8–9 minutes, and enjoy a bakery-style treat with minimal effort.

Brownie-Like Cookies and Fudgy Varieties

If you love dense, fudgy cookies, the air fryer can deliver. Brownie cookies or double-chocolate cookies benefit from the quick bake time, which prevents them from drying out. Use a recipe with melted chocolate, cocoa powder, and a high ratio of sugar to flour. Bake at 315°F for 6–7 minutes. The cookies will be gooey in the center with a crisp top—ideal for chocolate lovers.

Pro tip: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to reduce spreading and enhance texture.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake Perfect Air Fryer Cookies

Step 1: Choose the Right Dough and Equipment

Start with a reliable cookie recipe—preferably one you’ve made in the oven before. This makes it easier to adjust for air fryer conditions. Essential tools include:

• Air fryer (3.5 qt or larger)
• Parchment paper or silicone liners
• Cookie scoop or tablespoon
• Mixing bowls, electric mixer (optional)
• Spatula for transferring cookies

For best results, use room-temperature butter and eggs to ensure even mixing and better texture.

Step 2: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Line the basket with parchment paper or a reusable silicone liner. Avoid greasing the basket directly, as oil can smoke at high temperatures. If you don’t have liners, lightly coat the basket with non-stick spray—but only after preheating to prevent burning.

Preheat the air fryer for 3–5 minutes at the desired baking temperature (usually 325°F). This ensures consistent results from the first batch onward.

Step 3: Portion and Arrange the Dough

Use a cookie scoop to portion dough into uniform sizes. This ensures even baking. Place 4–6 scoops in the basket, leaving at least 1 inch between each to allow for spread. For mini cookies (1-tablespoon size), you can fit up to 8 per batch.

If making filled cookies (like thumbprint or sandwich cookies), assemble them before baking. For thumbprint cookies, press the center with your thumb or a spoon after baking for 3 minutes, then fill with jam.

Step 4: Bake and Monitor

Set the air fryer to the adjusted temperature (typically 25°F lower than oven recipes). Bake for 6–9 minutes, depending on size and desired texture. Use the following guide:

• 6–7 minutes: Soft, chewy centers with light browning
• 7–8 minutes: Balanced texture with crisp edges
• 8–9 minutes: Crispier, more caramelized cookies

Check the cookies at the 6-minute mark. They should look puffed and slightly golden. If underbaked, cook in 30-second increments. Do not open the basket frequently—this drops the temperature and affects baking.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Let the cookies cool in the basket for 2–3 minutes—this helps them set. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents condensation and keeps the bottoms from getting soggy.

For gooey cookies (like brownie cookies), serve warm with a glass of milk. For crisp varieties, store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Tips, Tricks, and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Adjusting Oven Recipes for Air Fryers

Converting oven recipes requires a few key adjustments:

• Reduce temperature by 25°F
• Decrease bake time by 2–4 minutes
• Use parchment or silicone liners
• Chill dough if it spreads too much

For recipes with leavening agents (baking soda, baking powder), you may need to increase them slightly by 1/8 to 1/4 tsp to compensate for the faster bake time.

Preventing Sticking and Burning

Sticking is a common issue, especially with sticky doughs like peanut butter or brownie cookies. Always use liners or parchment. If you must use oil, opt for avocado or grapeseed oil—they have high smoke points and won’t burn at air fryer temperatures.

Burnt edges? This usually means the temperature is too high or the cookies are too close to the heating element. Try lowering the temperature by 5–10°F or rotating the basket halfway through baking (if your model allows it).

Dealing with Uneven Baking

Some air fryers have hot spots. To test yours, bake a batch of cookies and check which ones brown first. In future batches, rotate the position of the cookies or use a silicone liner that elevates them slightly.

If the center is undercooked but the edges are done, reduce the temperature by 10°F and increase time by 30 seconds. Alternatively, use a lower rack position if your air fryer has multiple levels.

Freezing and Reheating Air Fryer Cookies

You can freeze unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. Place them on a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. To bake, place frozen dough in the air fryer and add 1–2 minutes to the bake time.

For reheating, air fry leftover cookies at 300°F for 2–3 minutes. They’ll taste freshly baked!

Air Fryer vs. Oven: A Side-by-Side Comparison

To truly understand the advantages of air fryer cookies, let’s compare them to traditional oven-baked cookies. Below is a data table summarizing key differences:

Factor	Air Fryer Cookies	Oven-Baked Cookies
Bake Time	6–9 minutes	8–12 minutes
Energy Use	Lower (smaller cavity, faster preheat)	Higher (larger cavity, longer preheat)
Texture	Even browning, slightly crispier edges	More consistent spread, softer edges
Batch Size	4–6 cookies per batch	12–24 cookies per batch
Temperature Adjustment	Reduce by 25°F	Follow recipe as-is
Cleanup	Easy (liners prevent sticking)	Moderate (baking sheets may need scrubbing)
Ideal For	Small batches, quick snacks, energy efficiency	Large batches, holiday baking, even spread

The table shows that air fryer cookies excel in speed, energy efficiency, and ease of cleanup. However, ovens still win for large-scale baking and recipes requiring precise temperature control (like macarons). For everyday cookie cravings, the air fryer is a game-changer.

Creative Ideas and Advanced Techniques

Stuffed and Filled Air Fryer Cookies

Take your cookies to the next level by stuffing them with surprises. Try:

• Chocolate chip cookies with a Nutella center
• Oatmeal cookies with a caramel filling
• Peanut butter cookies with a mini Reese’s cup

To make stuffed cookies, flatten the dough, place a filling in the center, then wrap the dough around it. Bake at 320°F for 7–8 minutes.

Gluten-Free and Vegan Adaptations

The air fryer is ideal for allergy-friendly baking. For gluten-free cookies, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add 1/4 tsp xanthan gum for elasticity. Bake at 315°F for 7 minutes.

Vegan cookies? Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg), and use plant-based chocolate chips. Bake at 320°F for 7–8 minutes.

Decorating and Serving Ideas

Once cooled, decorate air fryer cookies with:

• Royal icing drizzle
• Sprinkles or crushed nuts
• Edible gold dust for a gourmet touch

Serve them in mini paper cups for parties or pack them in bento boxes for school snacks. For a fun twist, make cookie sandwiches with ice cream or marshmallow fluff.

In conclusion, yes, you can absolutely make cookies in an air fryer—and they’re often better than oven-baked versions in terms of texture, speed, and energy efficiency. With the right adjustments and a few expert tips, your air fryer can become your go-to tool for satisfying cookie cravings anytime. Whether you’re baking classic chocolate chip, fudgy brownie cookies, or creative stuffed varieties, the air fryer delivers consistent, delicious results. So preheat your basket, grab your favorite recipe, and get ready to enjoy warm, gooey cookies in under 10 minutes. Your sweet tooth will thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make cookies in an air fryer?

Yes, you can make cookies in an air fryer! The air fryer’s circulating hot air bakes cookies evenly, giving them a slightly crisp exterior while keeping the center soft. It’s a quick and energy-efficient alternative to using a traditional oven.

How do you bake cookies in an air fryer?

To bake cookies in an air fryer, preheat the appliance to 325°F (160°C), then place dough portions on parchment paper or a greased basket. Space them out to allow air circulation and cook for 8–12 minutes, depending on size and desired doneness.

What types of cookies work best in an air fryer?

Most standard cookie recipes, like chocolate chip, oatmeal, or sugar cookies, work well in an air fryer. Avoid overly thin or runny doughs, as the rapid air flow can cause spreading or uneven baking.

Do air fryer cookies taste different than oven-baked ones?

Air fryer cookies often have a slightly crispier texture on the outside while staying soft inside. The flavor remains largely the same, but the faster cooking time can reduce moisture slightly, making them chewier.

How long do you cook cookies in an air fryer?

Most cookies take 8–12 minutes in an air fryer at 325°F (160°C). Thinner or smaller cookies may need less time, so keep an eye on them to prevent over-baking.

Can you use aluminum foil or parchment paper for air fryer cookies?

Yes, both aluminum foil (poked with holes for air circulation) and parchment paper are safe to use when making cookies in an air fryer. They help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier without affecting the cooking process.