Baking cookies in air fryer is an innovative approach that combines convenience with quick results. This method is perfect for those who want to enjoy freshly baked cookies without using a conventional oven, particularly useful for small kitchens where heating a full-size oven is impractical.
This guide will walk you through air fryer cookie recipe, focusing particularly on the ever-popular chocolate chip cookies. We'll explore the benefits of this method, including why it might just become your new go-to for a quick treat. Prepare to impress yourself and your loved ones with this simple, efficient baking hack.
Can You Bake Cookies in an Air Fryer?
While most recipes suggest that you should bake cookies using an oven, you can definitely cook cookies in an air fryer! This versatile appliance is not only for frying; it's also great for baking small batches of cookies. The air fryer uses rapid air technology to circulate hot air around the dough, which results in cookies that are evenly baked and often have a delightfully crispy exterior with a soft, chewy interior. Moreover, the process is quicker than using a conventional oven, making it perfect for whipping up a quick treat without much wait.
Why Air Fryer Cookies?
Choosing to bake cookies in air fryer offers several compelling advantages, especially for those seeking convenience and efficiency in their baking. Here are some common reasons why air fryer might become your new favorite method:
- Speed: Air fryers heat up quickly and bake cookies faster than traditional ovens.
- Energy Efficiency: Using an air fryer can be more energy-efficient than heating up a conventional oven, especially for small batches.
- Texture Perfection: The circulating hot air in an air fryer creates a perfectly crispy exterior while maintaining a soft and gooey center, which is the hallmark of a great chip cookie.
- No Overheating the Kitchen: Unlike traditional ovens, air fryers don’t heat up your entire kitchen, which can be particularly advantageous on hot days.
- Easy to Clean: Air fryers are easier to clean compared with traditional ovens. Especially some advanced models like the SCHWUA Air Fryer Oven, which features a cold-rolled steel inner basket that can be quickly cleaned with just a cloth, saving you time and effort.
How to Bake Cookies in Air Fryer?
Now let’s have a look at what you will need before baking cookies and detailed steps on how to cook cookies in air fryer:
Ingredients for Baking Cookies in Air Fryer
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Chocolate chips or other mix-ins like nuts or dried fruit
Steps for Air Fryer Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Begin by mixing your dry ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set this aside for later use. Next, take a larger mixing bowl and cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy; this should take about 2-3 minutes.
Once the sugars and butter are well combined and have a fluffy texture, beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until these are fully incorporated into the mixture, ensuring the batter is smooth and homogenous.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so you should stop as soon as you see no more flour streaks. Stir in your mix-ins, such as chocolate chips or nuts, evenly throughout the dough.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) and let it preheat for about 3-5 minutes. If your air fryer model does not have a preheat setting, let it run at 320°F for a few minutes before baking.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies
While the air fryer is preheating, shape the cookie dough into small balls or use a cookie scoop to create uniform sizes. Depending on your air fryer size, you might be able to fit 4-6 cookies in the basket at once. Make sure to leave space between them as they will spread.
Step 5: Bake
Place the dough balls in the air fryer basket and cook for about 5-8 minutes, or until the cookies are golden and set. Every air fryer cooks differently, so it’s a good idea to start checking at 5 minutes to prevent overcooking.
Step 6: Cooling
Once done, carefully remove the cookies from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes. This helps them set and develop the perfect texture—crispy on the edges and chewy in the center.
Step 7: Serve or Store
Serve the cookies warm for the best taste experience, or store them in an airtight container once they've completely cooled.
Tips for Making Cookies in Air Fryer
Here are some practical tips for making cookies in air fryer that can help ensure they turn out perfect every time:
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Always preheat the air fryer for about 3-5 minutes before adding your cookies. This helps achieve a consistent baking temperature right from the start.
- Use Parchment Paper: Place a small piece of parchment paper at the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent the cookies from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Space the cookies well apart in the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation. This ensures they cook evenly and get nicely crispy on the outside.
- Flatten the Dough Slightly: Press down the cookie dough balls slightly before cooking. Air fryer heat can cause them to retain a rounded shape rather than spreading out like they do in an oven.
- Check for Doneness Early: Start checking the cookies for doneness a minute or two before the recipe’s suggested cooking time ends. Air fryers can cook faster than expected, especially if they are preheated.
- Cool Before Removing: Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes in the air fryer basket before transferring them to a cooling rack. This helps them set and reduces the chance of breaking.
Conclusion
In summary, you can definitely bake cookies in an air fryer, and it offers a unique advantage in terms of speed and energy efficiency. Air fryer chocolate chip cookies come out delightfully crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, proving that this method is ideal for achieving the perfect cookie texture. With the air fryer cookies recipe, anyone can master the art of making cookies in an air fryer, transforming how you think about quick baking at home.
