How Long to Bake Cookies in an Air Fryer Step by Step

You’ll want to preheat your air fryer to about 320°F to ensure even baking of your cookies.

Place cookie dough pieces spaced at least an inch apart on parchment paper in the basket for best results. This setup helps achieve that perfect texture every time.

Bake small cookies for 9-10 minutes and medium ones for 11-12 minutes, adding a couple of minutes if frozen.

Rotate the basket halfway through for even cooking and consistent browning. After baking, cool cookies for 5-15 minutes to let them firm up.

Keep following along to master perfect texture and storage tips, so your air fryer cookies come out delicious every time.

Experiment with timing and dough thickness for your favorite results. Happy baking!

Key Takeaways

Preheat the air fryer to 320°F to 330°F for optimal cookie texture and immediate baking start.
Space cookies 1 inch apart on parchment-lined basket to ensure proper air circulation and prevent sticking.
Bake small cookies for 9-10 minutes, medium for 11-12 minutes, and large for 13-14 minutes at 320°F.
For frozen dough, lower temperature to 270°F and add 1-2 minutes to baking time.
Let cookies cool on a wire rack for at least 5 to 15 minutes to achieve perfect texture.

Understanding Air Fryer Baking Basics

Although air fryers cook faster than traditional ovens by circulating hot air evenly, you’ll want to preheat yours to around 320°F to 330°F for the best cookie texture. Preheating guarantees the cookies start baking immediately, helping them rise properly and develop a crisp exterior without drying out.

When placing cookie dough in the air fryer, space each cookie at least 1 inch apart to allow hot air to circulate freely, preventing them from sticking together. Lining the basket with parchment paper not only stops sticking but also makes cleanup easier.

Baking time usually ranges from 7 to 12 minutes, depending on cookie size and your specific air fryer model. By mastering these basics, you’ll enjoy perfectly baked cookies with a delightful texture every time.

When picking cookie dough for your air fryer, you’ll want one that yields thick, chewy cookies with a good balance of moisture. You can choose between store-bought options like Immaculate Baking or Pillsbury, or make your own—just remember to chill homemade dough for at least an hour.

Pre-shaped, refrigerated dough makes the process even easier and helps your cookies bake evenly.

Dough Texture Considerations

Since air fryers cook cookies differently than traditional ovens, you’ll want to choose a dough with a thick, chilled consistency to keep your cookies from spreading too much. The dough texture plays a vital role in air fryer baking, as a thick cookie dough maintains its shape better and results in a chewy center with crispy edges. Avoid overly soft or runny dough, which can lead to misshapen or overly crisp cookies.

For the best results, chill your dough for at least an hour before baking. Using a mix of all-purpose flour and cornstarch can improve the dough texture, making cookies tender without losing structure. This way, your air fryer cookies come out perfectly every time.

Store-Bought vs. Homemade

Whether you prefer the convenience of store-bought dough or the customization of homemade, both options can work well in an air fryer. Store-bought cookie dough, like Pillsbury or Toll House, offers consistent results and requires no prep, making it ideal if you want quick, uniform cookies.

Homemade cookie dough gives you control over flavors and ingredients, but you’ll need to refrigerate it for at least an hour before air frying to keep the cookies from spreading too much. Air fryers handle both refrigerated and frozen dough, though baking time may vary slightly depending on the dough’s temperature and type.

Ultimately, choosing between store-bought and homemade cookie dough depends on whether you value ease or personalization most when baking in your air fryer.

Preparing Your Air Fryer for Baking Cookies

To bake cookies perfectly in your air fryer, you’ll want to preheat it to 330°F (165°C) to create the ideal environment. Before placing your cookie dough inside, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. When arranging the cookie dough, make sure to space each piece about 1 inch apart.

This spacing allows for even air circulation, ensuring your cookies bake uniformly. Keep in mind that baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your cookies, typically ranging from 7 to 12 minutes. Always monitor your cookies closely during baking to catch them at the perfect doneness without over-baking.

Proper preparation sets the stage for delicious, evenly baked air fryer cookies every time.

Ideal Temperature Settings for Air Fryer Cookies

After you’ve prepped your air fryer and arranged the cookie dough, setting the right temperature will make all the difference in how your cookies turn out. The ideal temperature for air fryer cookies is usually between 320°F and 330°F. For fresh cookie dough, 320°F works best, ensuring even baking without burning.

If you’re using chilled or frozen dough, lower the temperature to 270°F to allow thorough cooking. Baking time typically ranges from 7 to 12 minutes, but keep an eye on your cookies as times can vary by air fryer model. If you want a crispy exterior with a gooey center, try baking at 330°F but watch the baking time closely.

Adjust times for thicker cookies to avoid undercooking inside or burning outside.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Cookies in an Air Fryer

Once you’ve preheated your air fryer to 330°F and prepared your basket with parchment paper, you can start placing your cookie dough balls inside. Space them about 1 inch apart to allow for spreading. Weigh down the parchment with the dough to keep it from moving.

Bake for 7-12 minutes, depending on whether your dough is fresh, chilled, or frozen. Once done, let the cookies cool in the basket for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Step	Details
Preheat	Air fryer to 330°F
Prepare Basket	Line with parchment, weigh down
Arrange Dough	Place cookie dough balls spaced
Bake	7-12 minutes
Cool	5 minutes in basket

How Long to Bake Different Sizes of Cookies

When baking cookies in your air fryer, the size of the cookie plays a big role in how long you’ll need to cook them. Smaller cookies usually take less time, while larger ones need a bit longer at a slightly adjusted temperature.

Let’s look at the ideal baking times and temperature settings for different cookie sizes to get the best results.

Baking Times by Size

Baking cookies in an air fryer depends largely on their size, so knowing the right time for each can make a big difference. Adjusting the baking time guarantees your cookies turn out perfectly, whether you’re working with medium-sized cookies, large cookies, or frozen cookie dough.

Small cookies (50-60g): Bake at 320°F (160°C) for 9-10 minutes for a soft, chewy texture
Medium-sized cookies (80-100g): Bake for 11-12 minutes at 320°F
Large cookies (120g): Require 13-14 minutes at 320°F for gooey centers and crispy edges
Frozen cookie dough: Add 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time for all sizes
Watch closely near the end, as air fryer models vary in heat distribution

Following these times helps you master baking time in your air fryer.

Adjusting Temperature Settings

Although baking times vary with cookie size, adjusting the temperature is just as important to get the perfect bake in your air fryer. For freshly made cookie dough, you’ll want to bake cookies at 320°F for 9-10 minutes to achieve the ideal texture. If you’re using chilled or frozen dough, lower the temperature to 270°F and increase the cooking time to 11-13 minutes to guarantee even cooking.

Smaller cookies usually do well at 170°F for 7-8 minutes, while larger NYC-size cookies, around 120g, need about 13-14 minutes at 160°C. Remember, every air fryer heats differently, so keep an eye on your cookies and adjust time or temperature settings as needed to get the best results.

Adjusting Baking Time for Frozen vs. Refrigerated Dough

Since frozen cookie dough takes longer to heat through, you’ll need to extend the baking time in your air fryer to about 11-13 minutes at 270°F, compared to 9-10 minutes at 320°F for refrigerated dough. This adjustment guarantees your cookies bake evenly and achieve the right texture. When working with frozen dough, shape it into flat circles for consistent results.

Keep an eye on the cookies as air fryer models vary, and remember to let them cool for about 5 minutes after baking to set properly.

Use lower temperature for frozen dough to avoid burning edges
Flatten frozen dough pieces for even cooking
Check cookies midway to prevent overbaking
Allow a cooling period for better texture
Increase baking time for larger cookies as needed

Tips for Achieving Crispy Edges and Gooey Centers

To get those perfect crispy edges and gooey centers, you’ll want to keep the air fryer at around 330°F and space your cookies about an inch apart for even baking. Using parchment paper can help prevent sticking and promote a crisp finish.

Don’t forget to let your cookies cool for at least five minutes to let the edges set while keeping the centers soft.

Temperature Control Tips

When you want cookies with crispy edges and gooey centers, setting your air fryer between 320°F and 330°F works best. These temperature control tips help you master baking by balancing crispiness and softness perfectly. Lower temperatures, like 270°F, prevent over-baking for chilled dough, maintaining a fudgy texture.

Keep a close eye on baking time, usually between 7 to 12 minutes, as it greatly impacts your cookies’ final texture. After baking, let them cool for 5 minutes to let edges set while centers stay soft.

Use 320°F–330°F for ideal crisp edges and soft centers
Bake frozen dough at lower temps (~270°F) to avoid dryness
Monitor closely during last minutes for perfect texture
Cool cookies before serving to enhance texture contrast
Experiment with 300°F for softer cookie textures

Controlling your air fryer’s temperature is just one part of baking perfect cookies. Achieving ideal cookie placement is key for crispy edges and gooey centers. Start by spacing cookie dough balls at least 1 inch apart in the air fryer basket to allow even baking and proper air circulation.

Limit yourself to 3-4 cookies per batch to avoid overcrowding. Line the basket with parchment paper, weighing it down with the cookie dough to keep it from flying around and blocking airflow. Position cookies centrally, steering clear of heating elements to prevent burning.

Halfway through baking, rotate the basket to guarantee uniform texture and doneness. Following these simple placement tips will help you bake cookies that are perfectly balanced between crisp and gooey every time.

Cooling Time Importance

Although baking time is essential, letting your cookies cool properly is just as important for achieving that perfect balance of crispy edges and gooey centers. The cooling time allows the residual heat to finish cooking the cookies gently, enhancing their texture without overdoing it. Moving them too soon can make your cookies fragile, while proper cooling helps maintain that ideal chewy inside with crispy edges.

To get the best results, follow these tips:

Let cookies cool for at least 5 minutes to firm up.
Use a wire rack to promote airflow and prevent soggy bottoms.
Avoid stacking cookies before they’re fully cooled.
Aim for about 15 minutes total cooling time for perfect texture.
Remember, proper cooling time is key to crispy edges and chewy centers.

Using Parchment Paper and Other Baking Accessories

Parchment paper plays a key role in air fryer cookie baking by preventing sticking and making cleanup easier. When using parchment paper, make sure to pierce holes in it to allow proper air circulation, which is essential for even baking. Place the cookie dough directly on the parchment to weigh it down; this stops the paper from lifting due to the air fryer’s airflow.

Avoid letting the parchment paper touch the heating element to prevent fire hazards. Additionally, using a cookie scoop helps you portion out uniform cookie sizes, ensuring they bake evenly in your air fryer. These simple accessories optimize your baking process, helping you achieve perfectly baked cookies without mess or uneven cooking. It is important to trim the parchment paper slightly smaller than the basket to maintain proper airflow and cooking efficiency, as recommended for safe air fryer use.

Cooling and Serving Your Air Fryer Cookies

Once your cookies are done baking, you’ll want to let them cool in the air fryer basket for about 5 minutes to help them set before moving them to a wire rack. Cooling your cookies on a wire rack allows air to circulate evenly, preventing sogginess. For the best texture, wait 10-15 minutes before serving so the centers stay deliciously gooey.

To elevate your treat, try serving warm cookies with a scoop of ice cream. Remember, any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh.

Let cookies cool in the air fryer basket for 5 minutes
Transfer to a wire rack for even cooling
Wait 10-15 minutes before serving for gooey centers
Serve warm with ice cream for extra indulgence
Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness

Storing and Freezing Air Fryer Cookies for Later Enjoyment

If you have leftovers after enjoying your warm cookies, knowing how to store and freeze them properly will help you keep that fresh-baked taste longer. For storing, place your air fryer cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll stay fresh for up to a week.

If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate the cookies in an airtight container for up to two weeks. When freezing cookies, use a ziplock bag or airtight container and store them for up to three months. You can also freeze cookie dough portions using a 5cm scoop, so you can bake fresh cookies anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do You Cook Cookies in the Air Fryer?

You’ll want to cook cookies in the air fryer for about 9 to 10 minutes at 320°F if you’re using fresh dough. If your dough is chilled or frozen, lower the temperature to 270°F and bake for 11 to 13 minutes. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes to avoid over-baking.

Remember to space them out in the basket and let them cool a bit before moving them to a rack.

Can I Air Fry Cookies Instead of Baking?

Think of air frying cookies like using a turbocharger on your car—it’s a faster, efficient way to get great results. Yes, you can definitely air fry cookies instead of baking them traditionally. It’s quicker and gives you that perfect crispy outside with a gooey center.

Just line the basket with parchment, space them out, and keep an eye on the time. You’ll enjoy a unique texture that’s hard to resist!

What Are Air Fryer Baking Tips for Cookies?

To get the best cookies from your air fryer, you’ll want to preheat it to around 320°F. Use parchment paper with holes to keep cookies from sticking and allow airflow. Space dough balls 1-2 inches apart to avoid overcrowding.

Keep a close eye on baking time since it varies by model. Finally, let cookies cool for about 5 minutes before handling—they’ll firm up and be easier to move without breaking.

Conclusion

Baking cookies in your air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy fresh treats anytime. Just remember, “good things come to those who wait”—patience is key for perfect cookies with crispy edges and gooey centers.

Follow the steps, keep an eye on the time, and don’t rush the cooling process. With a little practice, you’ll master air fryer cookies that are just as delicious as oven-baked ones.

Happy baking! Remember, mastering how long to bake cookies in an air fryer is essential for achieving that perfect texture every time.

How Long to Bake Cookies in an Air Fryer Step by Step

Key Takeaways