Craving air fry cookie doughs without the kitchen mess? Let’s talk about the ultimate hack: baking cookie dough in your air fryer! Whether you’re using pre-made refrigerated dough or scooping fresh cookie batter, air frying cookies is a fast, mess-free way to curb that sweet tooth any time of day.
PrintAir Fry Cookie Dough: How to Bake the Perfect Cookie in Your Air Fryer
Air Fry Cookie Dough: How to Bake the Perfect Cookie in Your Air Fryer
- Prep Time: 2minutes mins
- Cook Time: 8minutes mins
- Total Time: 58 minute
- Yield: 12 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pkg Refrigerated Cookie Dough
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer at 320 Degrees for 2 minutes
- Place Parchment Paper in bottom of Air Fryer (optional)
- Take 1 piece of cookie dough and shape into a flat circle
- Place 4 cookies on parchment paper in Air Fryer Basket leaving 2 inches of space around cookie dough
- Air Fryer for 7-8 minutes. Edges of cookies will turn a deep golden brown color and center will be set.
- Note: Cookies will still be very soft. They will firm up as they cool.
- Allow cookies to sit inside of warm air fryer for an addition 2 minutes.
- Open Air Fryer basket and allow cookies to sit in basket for 3-4 minutes before removing from basket.
- As Cookies cool they become more firm and are easily lifted off parchment paper to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
For best results when making air fry cookie dough recipes, always preheat your air fryer and use parchment paper with holes to ensure proper air circulation. This helps the cookie dough cook evenly and prevents sticking. Also, remember that cookies will continue to cook slightly after the air fryer stops, so don’t worry if the centers look a little soft—they’ll firm up as they cool. Air frying cookie dough is a fast, mess-free way to enjoy fresh cookies anytime!
Keywords: Refrigerated cookie dough,Chocolate chip cookie, Dark brown sugar, eggs, baking soda, sea salt, chocolate
In this article, we’ll explore:
- Can you cook cookie dough in an air fryer?
- How to air fry refrigerated cookie dough
- Tips for baking soft or crispy cookies in the air fryer
- Pro tips and troubleshooting
- Bonus: Air fryer cookie sandwich recipe
Grab a glass of milk — it’s cookie time!
🍪 The Origin of Cookies… and the air fry cookie dough Revolution
Cookies have been delighting people since 7th century Persia. Over time, they’ve evolved from small test cakes into chewy, chocolatey, crispy indulgences we know today. Fast forward to the 21st century, and now we have air fryers — a game-changing kitchen gadget that has transformed how we cook everything from fries to desserts.
What makes the air fryer so special for baking cookies? It’s all about convection heat — the same power as an oven, but faster and more efficient. That means hot, fresh cookies in under 10 minutes, without preheating your oven or dirtying multiple trays. Perfect for late-night cravings or quick treats for the kids.
🔍 Can You Cook air fry cookie dough in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you absolutely can! Air fryers can bake both store-bought refrigerated cookie dough and homemade cookie dough. In fact, air frying is one of the easiest methods to get evenly baked cookies with crispy edges and soft centers.
✅ What Cookie Dough Works in an Air Fryer?
- Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Nestlé Toll House Ready-to-Bake Dough
- Sugar Cookie Dough
- Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
- Homemade cookie dough balls
The key is to space them out properly, use parchment paper, and adjust the cooking time depending on your air fryer model.
🔥 How to Air Fry Refrigerated Cookie Dough
Whether you’re baking for one or prepping dessert for the whole family, here’s how to make air fryer cookies using refrigerated dough:
🛒 What You’ll Need
- 1 package refrigerated cookie dough (any flavor)
- Air fryer
- Parchment paper (with holes or perforated)
- Optional: silicone baking mat for reuse
🧑🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C)
Let it warm for 2–3 minutes. This ensures even cooking.
2. Prepare the dough
Take 4 cookie dough pieces and shape them into uniform flat circles. Avoid making them too thin.
3. Line the air fryer basket
Place a piece of parchment paper at the bottom of the basket. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
4. Space the cookies
Arrange cookies with at least 2 inches of space between each one. The dough will spread as it bakes.
5. Air fry for 7–8 minutes
Cookies are ready when the edges are golden and the center is just set. Don’t worry if they seem soft — they’ll firm up as they cool.
6. Let them rest
Leave the cookies inside the closed air fryer for 2 minutes, then open the basket and let them sit for 3–4 more minutes before removing.
7. Transfer to a cooling rack
This final step ensures your cookies finish setting without overcooking.
❓Can We Make Cookies in an Air Fryer Instead of an Oven?
Absolutely — and it’s faster too. Air fryers eliminate the need for long preheating times and multiple trays. Plus, the circulating hot air bakes cookies evenly and gives them that bakery-style texture.
🆚 Air Fryer vs Oven: Which is Better for Cookies?
| Feature | Air Fryer | Traditional Oven |
|---|---|---|
| Preheat Time | 2–3 minutes | 10+ minutes |
| Cook Time | 6–8 minutes | 10–12 minutes |
| Energy Efficiency | More efficient | Less efficient |
| Batch Size | 4–6 cookies | 12+ cookies |
| Cleanup | Easier | More dishes |
If you’re baking a small batch, the air fryer wins hands down.
💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Cookies
- Use perforated parchment paper. It allows hot air to circulate and prevents soggy bottoms.
- Preheat your air fryer. Even 2 minutes helps improve texture.
- Flatten the dough slightly. This helps it bake evenly and reduces puffiness.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Give each cookie room to spread.
- Let them cool before moving. Warm cookies are fragile and may fall apart.
⚠️ Can You Put Dough in an Air Fryer Without Parchment
You can, but be cautious. Cookie dough tends to stick, and without parchment or a silicone mat, cleanup becomes a mess. Additionally, loose parchment paper must be weighted down with cookie dough before the air fryer is turned on. Otherwise, it can blow into the heating element and catch fire.
✅ Best practice: Always place dough on parchment or a silicone mat before air frying.
👩🍳 Recipe: Air Fryer Cookie Dough Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 pack refrigerated cookie dough (your choice)
- Parchment paper (optional)
- Air fryer
Instructions:
- Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C)
- Line basket with parchment paper
- Place 4 shaped dough circles with 2″ spacing
- Air fry for 7–8 minutes
- Let cookies sit in closed basket for 2 minutes
- Open basket and rest cookies 3–4 more minutes
- Transfer gently to cooling rack
Enjoy with cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
🍨 Pro Tip: Turn Them Into Ice Cream Sandwiches
Want to take your cookies to the next level? Here’s how to make air fryer cookie dough ice cream sandwiches:
Ice Cream Sandwich How-To:
- Bake and cool two cookies completely
- Add a scoop of softened vanilla (or any flavor) ice cream between them
- Press gently to spread
- Roll sides in mini chocolate chips or sprinkles
- Wrap in plastic and freeze for at least 2 hours
Perfect for parties or a freezer-friendly dessert!
🧁 Other Air Fryer Cookie Ideas
Air frying isn’t just for chocolate chip! Try these variations:
- Air Fryer Sugar Cookies: Sweet, buttery, and perfect with frosting or sprinkles.
- Peanut Butter Cookies: Crisp edges with soft, gooey centers.
- Birthday Cake Dough: With rainbow sprinkles and vanilla flavor.
- Holiday Cookies: Shaped, frosted, and air-fried for festive fun.
Can you cook cookie dough in an air fryer?
Yes! Both homemade and refrigerated cookie dough can be baked in an air fryer. The key is using parchment and spacing them properly.
Is it better to air fry or bake cookies?
For small batches, air frying is faster and more energy-efficient. For large batches, ovens are more practical.
Can we make cookies in an air fryer?
Absolutely. You can make cookies quickly, easily, and without heating the whole kitchen.
Can you put dough in an air fryer?
Yes, as long as it’s placed on parchment or a silicone mat. Avoid loose paper and overcrowding.
🧼 Clean-Up & Storage
After baking, clean the air fryer basket using warm soapy water. Most crumbs will stick to the parchment, making cleanup easy.
Storing Cookies
- Room Temp: Store in airtight container for up to 5 days
- Freezer: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months
🛒 Must-Have Tools for Air Fryer Cookies
- Air Fryer (with flat basket)
- Parchment Paper with Holes
- Cookie Scoop for even sizing
- Cooling Rack to avoid soggy bottoms
- Airtight Containers for storing leftovers
- Digital Thermometer (optional) if checking doneness
❤️ Why We Love Air Fryer Cookie Dough
The air fryer makes baking faster, simpler, and more fun. It turns refrigerated dough into warm, gooey cookies in under 10 minutes. Whether you’re making dessert for the family or satisfying a solo craving, air frying cookie dough is the ultimate baking shortcut.
🧁 Why Choose to Air Fry Cookie Dough Instead of Baking?
If you’re wondering why more home bakers are starting to air fry cookie dough instead of using a traditional oven, the answer lies in speed, convenience, and flavor. Air fry cookie dough recipes deliver chewy-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-edge cookies in a fraction of the time. The air fryer circulates hot air evenly around the cookie dough, which means perfect results without preheating a large oven.
Not only does air fry cookie dough reduce cook time, but it also helps cut back on energy usage. For small batches or late-night cravings, it’s the smarter, faster option.
🔁 Can You Reuse Cookie Dough When You Air Fry It?
Absolutely! One of the great benefits of choosing to air fry cookie dough is the flexibility it offers. You can refrigerate unused dough and reuse it later for another batch. Whether you’re air frying homemade cookie dough or using a refrigerated brand like Pillsbury or Toll House, the air fryer makes it simple to bake only what you need.
If you’re trying to portion out desserts across the week, you can air fry cookie dough in small amounts and keep the rest fresh for another time. This makes it a great option for mindful snacking or meal-prepped treats.
🧪 Experimenting with Different Flavors When You Air Fry Cookie Dough
Why stick to basic chocolate chip? You can air fry cookie dough of nearly every variety—birthday cake, sugar cookie, snickerdoodle, peanut butter, even vegan and gluten-free versions. The hot circulating air of the fryer cooks all types of cookie dough consistently.
Here’s a pro tip: when you air fry cookie dough with mix-ins like nuts, candies, or dried fruit, they caramelize and crisp up beautifully. It’s a gourmet touch made effortlessly.
🛠️ Troubleshooting Tips When You Air Fry Cookie Dough
Sometimes, when you air fry cookie dough, things don’t go exactly as planned. Maybe the cookies spread too much, or the centers come out gooey. Don’t worry—this section will help you troubleshoot common problems when air frying cookie dough.
- Cookie edges browning too fast? Lower your air fryer temp to 300°F.
- Centers undercooked? Add 1–2 minutes and let them rest inside the basket.
- Dough sticking to parchment paper? Lightly grease it or use a silicone liner.
By learning how to adjust timing and dough placement, you’ll perfect how you air fry cookie dough every time.
🍪 Can You Air Fry Cookie Dough from Scratch?
Yes! While refrigerated dough is the fastest method, you can absolutely air fry cookie dough made from scratch. Just make your favorite dough and portion it out into balls. Flatten slightly and place them in the air fryer with space between each.
When you air fry cookie dough from scratch, you have full control over ingredients—great for customizing sugar levels, using plant-based substitutes, or experimenting with gourmet add-ins.
📦 How to Store and Reheat Cookies After You Air Fry Cookie Dough
Once you air fry cookie dough and have a fresh batch of cookies, you’ll want to store them correctly to maintain their softness. Place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 5 days.
To reheat? Just pop them back into the air fryer at 300°F for 1–2 minutes. This will re-crisp the edges and warm the gooey center—just like freshly baked. Another great reason to air fry cookie dough again and again.
📸 More Creative Ways to Air Fry Cookie Dough for Parties
Want to impress guests with a unique dessert? Air fry cookie dough and then:
- Turn them into cookie ice cream sliders.
- Crush air-fried cookies and use them as crust for mini cheesecakes.
- Make cookie skewers with marshmallows and drizzle with chocolate.
The possibilities are endless when you air fry cookie dough creatively. It’s a versatile base for fun, indulgent treats that look like they came from a bakery.
📊 Nutritional Facts: What to Expect When You Air Fry Cookie Dough
When you air fry cookie dough, the nutritional value is close to that of traditional cookies, but smaller batches may help with portion control. A typical cookie made from refrigerated dough in the air fryer contains:
- Calories: 110–130 per cookie
- Fat: 5–7g
- Sugar: 10–15g
Because you often make smaller batches, you may find yourself eating more mindfully compared to a full oven tray. Air fry cookie dough for guilt-free indulgence, especially if you use lighter or sugar-free dough alternatives.
📌 Final Thoughts
If you’ve been wondering if you can cook cookie dough in the air fryer, now you know: you can, and you should. It’s fast, easy, and ridiculously delicious. From late-night cravings to fun after-school treats, air fryer cookies are your new best friend.