This post may contain affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase something I recommend - at no additional cost to you! Thank you for supporting this blog!
Craving a cookie that’s perfectly crisp on the outside, yet moist and chewy on the inside? These air fryer cookies are your ticket there—and ready in 10 minutes flat.
Air fryer cookies: the dessert you didn’t know you needed
Making cookies in an air fryer gives the perfect crispy exterior and chewy interior. The best part is that because air fryers are basically instant, your cookies will be done before a conventional oven would even be preheated!
I also like to make air fryer cookies with premade dough, which makes them even faster. I can go from “Hm, I want some cookies,” to a stack of freshly baked cookies in 10 minutes flat. If that doesn’t convince you, then I don’t know what will!
How to make cookies in an air fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to 300ºF. Once it’s pre-heated, line your air fryer with foil or parchment paper. Place your premade cookie dough balls into the fryer and bake for 6-10 minutes, checking every 2 minutes.
If you want larger cookies, you can push together 3-4 premade cookie dough balls and bake them for 10-15 minutes, checking every 1-2 minutes after the 5 minute mark.
Remove cookies once they’re golden on the outside, then let them cool completely before you eat them. This part is difficult, but important because if you try to eat them warm, they’ll fall apart!
What kind of cookie dough should I use?
The great thing about these cookies is that it really doesn’t matter what kind of dough you use!
I personally love to make chocolate chip and sugar cookies, but those are also just my favorite cookies (and the most common pre-made doughs).
Try the air fryer method on some of your favorite cookies and let me know in the comments how they turn out!
Note: No matter which dough you use, I recommend checking on it every 2-3 minutes. Every dough and every air fryer cooks slightly differently, so those extra minutes can make or break your cookies!
Store bought cookie dough is usually made with oil vs. butter, and has smaller chocolate chips. This makes the dough slightly different than most homemade cookie recipes, so you’ll notice homemade vs. store bought cookies cook a little differently.
Air fryer chocolate chip cookies
If I’m making chocolate chip cookies, I usually use homemade dough balls that I keep rolled in the freezer. When I don’t have any homemade cookie dough on hand, I use cookie dough that comes in premade packs at the store
If you’re looking for a gluten or dairy-free version, try my friend Jennie’s homemade recipe (click here!).
Air fryer sugar cookies
You can use this method to make sugar cookies in the air fryer, too. Again, if I don’t have homemade dough, I’ll use pre-made dough balls. They’re just so easy!
But if you’re looking for a homemade recipe, check out this one! I haven’t personally tested it, but it’s popular and has great reviews!
Air fryer cookie cake
As if this hack couldn’t get any better, you can even make cookie cake in your air fryer!
To make it, preheat the air fryer and push the cookie dough into a greased cake pan or other oven-proof dish that fits in your air fryer.
Cook at 300º for 10-13 minutes or until cooked to your preference (checking every 2-3 minutes after the halfway point).
Pastry-wrapped cookie dough bites
This is a great way to transform a basic cookie into a delicious, fluffy, and fancy dessert. You can make your own pastry dough, but I prefer to just buy the Pillsbury crescent rolls.
Roll the cookie dough into quarter-sized balls, then enclose each ball in a triangle of pastry.
Bake them in your air fryer for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown on top. To serve, I think adding a slight dusting of powdered sugar adds a perfect polish.
Cookies in air fryer without parchment paper
Most air fryer cookie recipes call for parchment paper. If you happen to be out of parchment paper, don’t worry! Aluminum foil works just as well, and it’s perfectly safe to use in an air fryer.
More decadent desserts for air fryer or Instant Pot
- Cookie Dough Dessert Wontons (Air Fryer or Deep Fried)
- Creme Brulee
- Easy Instant Pot Mango Sticky Rice
- Pumpkin Rice Pudding
- Instant Pot Cheesecake
- Instant Pot S’mores Cheesecake
- Homemade Carrot Cake
Air Fryer Cookies
INGREDIENTS
- Premade refrigerated cookie dough store bought or homemade
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your air fryer to 300ºF. Line your air fryer with foil or parchment paper. Place your premade cookie dough balls into the air fryer and bake for 6-10 minutes, checking every 2 minutes.
- If you want larger cookies, you can push together 3-4 premade cookie dough balls and bake them for 10-15 minutes, checking every 1-2 minutes after the 5 minute mark.
- Remove the foil or parchment paper with the cookies on them from the air fryer and let cool on a cooling sheet.