The idea of fried cookies might sound a bit unusual, but these aren’t just any fried cookies – they’re air fryer cookies, which means no vats of oil and no greasy aftermath. These little bites of heaven are cooked in the air fryer, making them a healthier, quicker, and easier alternative to traditional frying. And trust me, they are bound to be delicious! Air fryer cookie bites are the perfect small snack that will satisfy your sweet tooth without leaving you feeling overindulgent. They hit the spot just enough to curb those sweet cravings without making you feel guilty afterward.
These cookie bites are not only incredibly tasty but also super fast and easy to make. The air fryer works wonders by crisping up the outside while keeping the inside soft and chewy, just like a traditional cookie. And because there’s no need for deep frying, they’re a much lighter option than conventional fried cookies. Whether you’re baking for yourself or entertaining guests, these little bites are sure to please everyone.
If you’re not ready to bake them all at once, no worries! You can freeze the uncooked cookie dough in a sealed sandwich bag and store it for later. When the craving strikes again, simply take the dough from the freezer, let it thaw for a bit, and then pop it straight into the air fryer. Just add an extra 5 minutes to the cooking time, and you’ll have fresh, warm cookie bites in no time.
So you can find this irresistible cookie bites recipe on page 182 of my bestseller The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook.
PREP 5 minutes
COOK 10 to 12 minutes
MAKES 16 to 20 cookies
KIT you will need an air fryer, a mixing bowl and a large silicone mould or baking paper.
Ingredients for air fryer cookies
150g of salted butter, at room temperature
80g of light brown muscovado sugar
80g of granulated sugar
1 large egg, beaten
225g of plain flour
1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
200g of plain chocolate chips or chunks
Method
To start, place the butter, muscovado sugar, granulated sugar, and egg into a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer or whisk, beat these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Then, sift in the plain flour and bicarbonate of soda, continuing to beat until a firm dough starts to form. The combination of the sugars gives the dough a rich, caramel-like flavour that will make your cookies extra delicious.
Once the dough is ready, fold in your choice of chocolate chips or chunks, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. The chocolate pieces will melt beautifully during baking, creating gooey pockets of chocolate in every bite.
Next, use your hands to break off golf ball-sized pieces of dough. Roll each piece into a ball and place them on a tray or silicone baking mat. If you’re planning on baking cookies in batches, you can place any leftover dough in the freezer to bake at a later time. It’s a great way to have fresh cookies on demand!
For baking, you can use a large silicone mould or simply lay the cookie dough balls out on a piece of baking paper. Make sure to leave some space between each ball so the cookies can spread out as they bake. Pop the dough into your preheated air-fryer at 180°C, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden, yet still soft in the centre. You may need to bake them in smaller groups, depending on the size of your air fryer.
Once the cookies are done, let them cool slightly. Serve them warm for the ultimate gooey treat, or let them cool completely for a crispier texture.
Top Tip: If you want larger cookies, just up the cooking time by 5 minutes and check the cookies regularly.
Tips for Air Fryer Cookies
Making cookies in the air fryer is a game-changer, with faster baking, crisp edges, and gooey centres without heating up the whole kitchen. Here’s how to get bakery-quality cookies every time:
1. Use room temperature ingredients
For the best texture, make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before mixing. This helps your dough come together smoothly and bake evenly.
2. Portion your dough evenly
Use a cookie scoop or spoon to create uniform-sized cookie dough balls. This ensures they cook at the same rate and prevents some cookies from burning while others are underdone.
3. Don’t overcrowd the basket
Place cookie dough balls with plenty of space between them in the air fryer basket. Cookies spread as they bake, so crowding can cause them to merge or cook unevenly. Cook in batches if needed.
4. Use parchment paper or a silicone mat
To prevent sticking and make clean-up easier, line your air fryer basket with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Just be sure to trim it to fit and avoid covering air vents.
5. Adjust cooking times
Air fryer baking times are shorter than conventional ovens. Start with 6–8 minutes at 160–170°C (320–340°F) and keep an eye on your cookies. They’re done when the edges are golden but centers still look soft.
6. Rotate halfway through
If your air fryer has hot spots, carefully rotate the basket or tray halfway through baking for even cooking.
7. Cool before handling
Cookies continue to set as they cool. Let them rest on a wire rack for a few minutes after baking to firm up without losing their chewy texture.
8. Experiment with mix-ins
Add chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to customise your cookies. Just fold them in gently to avoid overworking the dough.
Similar recipes
So if you love these easy air fryer cookies, then you may also like my delicious air fryer apple cookies or the air fryer brunch muffins recipe.
And for more air fryer inspiration, check out my new Club App, with exclusive calorie counted recipes added weekly, customisable meal plans and printable shopping lists.
Or check out my brand new Club App, with exclusive calorie-counted recipes added weekly, customisable meal plans, printable shopping lists and many many more useful features to make all your meal prepping so much easier!