How To Air Fry Cookie Dough
Quick Answer
To air fry cookie dough, follow these steps:
- Preheat your air fryer to 300°F.
- Shape 5–7 cookie dough balls, leaving 2–3 inches between each.
- Air fry for 10 minutes or until the cookies are flat and golden.
Read on for more detail
Air-frying cookie dough is a convenient and simple way to get freshly baked cookies without firing up the oven!
But what is the right way to use the air fryer for baking?
How to air fry cookie dough? To air-fry cookies, simply place each cookie dough ball in the air fryer basket with roughly 2–3 inches between each dough ball. Air-fry the dough in an air fryer that has been preheated to 300°F, for about 10 minutes or until the cookies have spread and have the right color.
Read below to learn more about how you can use your air fryer to bake food, the proper settings for it, and some great tips and tricks!
Air-Fry Baking
Baking and air-frying are more alike than you may think!
Air fryers work by directing heat via air to the surface of the food. As the air engulfs the food, it starts to cook it, much like how hot oil works by rendering the outer surface and then making its way to the center.
Ovens use more or less the same indirect method to bake food too:
- Conventional ovens use a fixed heating element that slowly heats the surrounding air inside the oven chamber — this indirect contact bakes the food.
- Convection ovens, on the other hand, work in the same way as air fryers! That’s right — these ovens use high-powered fans that direct the heat generated by a heating element around the cooking chamber, creating an equal and more efficient means to bake food.
Think of air fryers as miniaturized convection ovens instead of an appliance that is only a replacement for frying food!
Oven-Baked Vs Air-Fried Cookies — Similarities And Differences
Many people first tend to automatically think of the disadvantages of baked goods that are not cooked in the oven — but in the case of air fryers, you might be surprised by just how much you can achieve with them!
It is best to think of air fryers as high-powered, portable ovens rather than conventional fryers. This perspective will also help you use your appliance in other fun ways!
To help you understand the differences between air-fried and regular oven-baked cookies, we will have to dive into their characteristics.
Oven-Baked Cookies
Here are a few key things that you will immediately notice when making oven-baked cookies.
Color
Cookies baked in a typical oven will have a deep brown to golden-brown color, depending on how long you cook them — and at what heat setting.
In most cases, you can expect the cookies to have a deeper color since most ovens are designed to dispense heat from above, where the heating element is usually located.
If you are using an oven that has a heating element at the bottom as well, then you can expect the base of the cookie to take on an even darker color. This caramelization also leads to a lot of textural benefits, too!
Texture
Oven-baked cookies will have crispy edges and a chewy center — and this is a common sign of a perfectly baked cookie for many people!
As the cookies heat up, they will spread and create an uneven thickness around the surface, meaning that the edges will spread out and become thin while the center will remain soft and dense.
Since typical ovens distribute heat evenly, the cookie will cook at different rates due to the varying thickness — but this is a good thing!
The edges will bake the fastest and become crispy, while the surface will only take on a light, almost flaky texture with a chewy center.
The bottom of the cookie will also add to the crispiness since it will be directly in contact with the heated pan and will caramelize the most!
Air-Fried Cookies
Here are a few key things that you will immediately notice when making air-fried cookies.
Color
In comparison, air-fried cookies will only show subtle differences when compared side-by-side to oven-baked cookies.
The surface of the cookies will likely be the most noticeable feature because air-fried cookies will take on a slightly deeper color from the top. This is because of the position of the fan and the compact size of the appliance.
Since hot air will bombard the cookies directly without having a lot of room to disperse, this will result in slightly better cooking conditions.
This continuous flow of focused heat is why we recommend that you air fry the cookies for just 10 minutes at 300°F instead of 22–30 minutes, as you would in the case of conventional ovens!
The base of the cookies will also be noticeably different. Since air fryers work by directing hot air below the food, the bottom won’t take on as much color as it would in the oven.
While this may result in a slightly less crispy cookie, it won’t make a lot of difference since the edges of the cookie will be far crispier, balancing the entire texture.
Texture
The texture of air-fried cookies will surely fit the preferences of many, especially people who enjoy a crispier cookie with a chewy and gooey center.
Due to the direct heat applied over the cookies, the dough balls will spread out quickly. This will result in thinner edges since the cookies will also lose a lot of moisture as the hot air draws out the moisture from the cookie.
In the end, you will end up with noticeably crispier edges and an almost “cracked” surface that will also have very subtle crispiness — but with that signature chewy and gooey center!
Overall, we think that air-fried cookies are arguably better!
Sure, you might not be able to make more at a time and they might not fully spread if they are overcrowded in the basket, but the air fryer will quickly and evenly bake the cookies to perfection.
This method is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to waste time preheating a large oven to the right temperature and then cleaning the tray and utensils after making the cookies!
Oven-Baked Vs Air-Fried Cookies — Comparison Chart
Here’s a quick chart to break it down:
| Oven-Baked Cookies | Air-Fried Cookies | |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | No change | No change |
| Color | Dark caramelized bottom with a golden-brown top | The surface will likely take on more color |
| Texture | Crispy edges with a chewy, moist center | Crispy edges, lightly cracked surface with a chewy and moist center |
| Cooking Time | 22–30 minutes (300°F) | 10 minutes (300°F) |
| Advantages | Classic way to get traditionally perfect cookies | Quick, convenient, and mess-free |
| Disadvantages | Requires experience and is usually time-consuming | Cookies need to be cooked in batches due to less space |
How To Air Fry Cookie Dough
Here is a detailed step-by-step guide on how you can easily air fry cookie dough in any air fryer.
While not required, it would be a great idea if you could preheat your air fryer for about 4–5 minutes. This method will significantly improve the spread of the cookies and may even make them crispier!
One can argue that preheating will add unwanted prep time, but the reason why it’s still convenient to preheat an air fryer is that in comparison, an average oven would take at least triple the time to preheat than a typical air fryer.
Here is what to do:
- Preheat the air fryer to 300°F for 5 minutes. Then leave the cooking basket in the air fryer while you make the cookie dough balls.
- If you are using homemade cookie dough, then take a scooper and scoop out 5–7 cookie dough balls. You can also form round balls by shaping the dough using your hands.
- If you are using ready-to-bake cookie dough, then you will need roughly around 5–7 pieces of cookie dough for a 6qt (5.5 liters) air fryer.
- Quickly take out the basket and put the cookie dough balls in a circle. Leave 2–3 inches in between each dough ball.
- Work quickly during this step to maintain the temperature of the appliance!
- Remember: The cookies will spread, so you have to give them space to expand or they won’t cook properly!
- Put the basket back in the air fryer and set the temperature to 300°F. Air-fry the cookies for about 10 minutes.
- Check the cookies for doneness.
- They should be flat and equally spread out.
- If you notice a lighter color on them then you may continue air frying them for 2–3 minutes until you get the desired doneness.
- Use a spatula (preferably a non-stick spatula) and carefully scrape off the baked cookies from the basket.
- Rest the cookies on a plate for 3–4 minutes, and enjoy!
Note: If the first batch of cookies does not come off the base of the basket easily, spray a bit of oil or brush melted butter around the cooking basket to lubricate it. Do not add more oil than necessary or the cookies will soak the excess fat.
Best Cookie Dough Recipe For Air Fryers
If you are looking for the best cookie dough recipe for air fryers then we recommend making these easy and delicious (air-fryer-ready) cookies!
This cookie dough is intended for air-fryer use because it will offer the best spread and texture. It is also extremely convenient to make and you can whip it up in under 10 minutes and have deliciously perfect cookies within the hour!
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 egg, at room temperature if possible
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Begin by melting butter in the microwave. We only need the butter to melt — do not overheat the butter or it might ruin the batter!
- In the same bowl, add the brown sugar and white sugar and then gently whisk the mixture until fully combined.
- Now add the egg and vanilla extract. Whisk again for about 20–30 seconds, then add in all the rest of the ingredients (minus the chocolate chips) and mix until fully incorporated.
- Wrap the top with cling wrap and let the mixture rest in the fridge for about 30–60 minutes. This will help set all the ingredients!
- In the meantime, preheat the air fryer to 300°F for about 4–5 minutes.
- After the mixture has chilled, take it out of the fridge. We recommend adding the chocolate chips now (after the dough has chilled) to prevent the chocolate from melting and “staining” the dough.
- Scoop the dough into balls using an ice cream scooper, and voila — your cookies are ready to be air fried!
- Remove the air fryer basket and place 5–7 cookie dough balls with roughly 1.5–2 inches between them. Work quickly so the air fryer stays at 300°F!
- Cook for 10 minutes, then check for doneness. Remove from the air fryer basket with a non-stick spatula, then repeat until all your cookies are done.
- Let the cookies rest for about 3 minutes, then enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe will make 18 cookies, but you can adjust the number of cookies by scooping smaller dough balls.
- This recipe features chocolate chips, but you can add virtually anything to the dough once it comes out of the fridge.
Best Cookie Dough Recipe For Air Fryers
If you are looking for the best cookie dough recipe for air fryers then we recommend making these easy and delicious (air-fryer-ready) cookies!
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 egg, at room temperature if possible
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Begin by melting butter in the microwave. We only need the butter to melt — do not overheat the butter or it might ruin the batter!
- In the same bowl, add the brown sugar and white sugar and then gently whisk the mixture until fully combined.
- Now add the egg and vanilla extract. Whisk again for about 20–30 seconds, then add in all the rest of the ingredients (minus the chocolate chips) and mix until fully incorporated.
- Wrap the top with cling wrap and let the mixture rest in the fridge for about 30–60 minutes. This will help set all the ingredients!
- In the meantime, preheat the air fryer to 300°F for about 4–5 minutes.
- After the mixture has chilled, take it out of the fridge. We recommend adding the chocolate chips now (after the dough has chilled) to prevent the chocolate from melting and “staining” the dough.
- Scoop the dough into balls using an ice cream scooper, and voila — your cookies are ready to be air fried!
- Remove the air fryer basket and place 5–7 cookie dough balls with roughly 1.5–2 inches between them. Work quickly so the air fryer stays at 300°F!
- Cook for 10 minutes, then check for doneness. Remove from the air fryer basket with a non-stick spatula, then repeat until all your cookies are done.
- Let the cookies rest for about 3 minutes, then enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe will make 18 cookies, but you can adjust the number of cookies by scooping smaller dough balls.
- This recipe features chocolate chips, but you can add virtually anything to the dough once it comes out of the fridge.
Tips And Tricks For Air-Frying Cookies
Check out these important tips and tricks to help you air-fry perfect cookies every time!
- In most cases, the butter and oil in the cookie dough should be enough to add a layer of insulation between the cookie surface and the cooking basket.
- Using additional oil (or any fat) is not recommended unless your air fryer basket has worn out its non-stick coating. If you do need to use some, use a spray of oil to lightly coat the surface of the basket so that the cookies don’t stick.
- A great way to make perfect cookies for your particular air fryer is to test your appliance! Make 2–3 cookies, then adjust the settings accordingly to get perfectly baked batches. Keep an eye on how much the cookies spread to adjust the spacing in future batches!
- We don’t recommend adding parchment paper at the base of the air fryer as it will interrupt airflow. Air fryers have wind fins along the inside of the appliance to direct wind around the cooking chamber. Parchment paper may result in a less-baked bottom surface.
- Overcrowding the cooking basket with cookie dough will result in the dough merging as it spreads. If this happens, then you should only try to separate the cookies once they have cooled down or you might end up ruining their shape and texture.
- Remember: it is better to have an undercooked cookie than a burnt cookie! Never let the air fryer run for too long and always stand near it to turn off the appliance, especially if you are making cookies in the air fryer for the first time.
Related Questions
Baking cookies in an air fryer may sound odd, but it is one of the best ways to quickly get a batch of mouthwatering and deliciously crispy and chewy cookies!
Now that you know how to bake cookie dough in the air fryer, here are some related questions we thought you might have.
Can you air-fry cookies at a higher temperature?
Yes, you can bake the cookie dough at different temperatures. For example, you can air fry at 325°F for 7–8 minutes, or at 350°F for 5–7 minutes.
We highly recommend that you stick to 300°F for 10 minutes for the best experience and results.
Cookies need time to spread and bake evenly. Shortening the time and increasing the temperature may affect the overall characteristics of the cookie.
Can you use aluminum foil as a base for the cookies in the air fryer?
Yes, you can use aluminum foil as a base for the cookies instead of parchment paper. The aluminum foil may even help cook the base of the cookie, despite the blocked airflow, since aluminum conducts heat much more efficiently.
For the best results, preheat the oven with the foil at the base to get crispy cookies that spread to their full potential!
Can you eat raw cookie dough?
In the case of homemade cookie dough, you shouldn’t eat raw cookie dough since it contains eggs. Keep in mind that it isn’t safe to eat any type of cookie dough that contains raw eggs!
The only exception is a few commercial brands that sell “safe to eat raw” cookie dough. You should find this label on the packaging before consuming the dough.
