These air fryer chocolate chip cookies are one of my favorite small-batch treats when I want homemade cookies fast. They have crisp edges, soft and chewy centers, and all the classic chocolate chip cookie flavor, and you don’t even make them in the oven. If you've ever wondered how to make cookies in air fryer, this recipe is a great place to start.
I love making these when I only want a few cookies instead of a huge batch, as one serving makes around 8 cookies. They're quick, easy, and taste just as good as oven-baked cookies.BTW, if you're a cookie lover, you should also try my Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.
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Video Instructions
Try These Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you're looking for easy air fryer cookies, this recipe is hard to beat. The dough is specifically made for air frying, and creates cookies that stay soft and chewy in the middle with lightly crisp edges.
I also love that the recipe makes a smaller batch, so I'm not tempted by dozens of cookies sitting on my counter. Once you start eating them, you won’t want to stop!
Why You'll Love It
- Quick baking: These cookies bake in just a few minutes, making them ideal for when you get a cookie craving.
- Perfect texture: The centers are soft and chewy, and the sides are lightly crisp.
- Air fryer friendly: If you're learning how to bake or want something easy, this recipe is incredibly beginner-friendly.
- No oven needed: This chewy cookies recipe is great for warm days because you don’t need an oven to make them, so you won’t get overheated in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- Plain all-purpose flour: To make them gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free blend instead. Bob's Red Mill's 1-to-1 baking flour works well with this recipe.
- Butter: This gives the cookies a rich flavor and their soft texture. I always use room-temperature butter for easier mixing.
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar is one of the reasons these cookies stay soft and chewy. It also adds a slight caramel flavor.
- Egg yolk: Using only the yolk makes a richer cookie and helps keep the texture soft.
- Chocolate chips: The chocolate melts into little pockets inside the cookies. I usually use dark chocolate, but any chocolate works.
How to Make Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
1. In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and brown sugar for 2-3 minutes.
Tip: You can melt butter slightly for easier mixing.
2. Then stir in the egg yolk and vanilla and mix until creamy and well combined.
3. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the batter, and mix just until incorporated. Then add the chocolate chips and mix for a few seconds until well distributed. Then cover and chill in the refrigerator.
4. Preheat the air fryer and scoop 8 equal-sized balls of chilled cookie dough and roll them into balls.
5. Line the preheated air fryer basket with parchment paper and place 3-4 dough balls (depending on the size of your air fryer), about 4 inches (10cm) apart, and flatten them and create slits using the tines of a fork.
Pro Tip: Do not place the cookies on the air fryer rack alone, as they will not hold their shape and they will mess in the air fryer. You can use aluminum foil instead of parchment paper.
6. Bake for 5-6 minutes, or until they are lightly browned, puffed, and ripped on top. Remove the air fryer basket from the air fryer and let the cookies cool for 5 minutes in the air fryer basket or until firm enough to move them. Then, transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool completely.
7. Sprinkle some kosher salt on top if desired, and serve. P.S. There won't be leftover cookies, so no need to worry about that! But in case there are some, you can store them in an airtight container for 3 days.
Cooking Tips
- Don't skip chilling the dough in the fridge. I find it helps create thicker, chewier cookies.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket so the cookies have room to spread. Make sure you flatten the cookies and place them on the parchment paper so that there is about 1-inch (2.5 cm) space between the cookies and the edges of the paper. Otherwise, the circulating air blows up the edges of the paper, and your cookies can't spread properly.
- Every air fryer cooks a little differently, so I recommend baking one test cookie first.
- If the tops brown too fast and the bottoms are still unbaked, I suggest baking them at 325°F (163°C) for 7-9 minutes. You could also turn them upside down after 6 minutes and bake for an additional 1-2 minutes. Don’t overbake them.
- Let these delicious cookies cool for a few minutes before moving them, because they continue setting as they cool.
What Can You Serve With This?
- Cold milk
- Hot coffee
- Vanilla ice cream
- Hot chocolate
- Caramel sauce
FAQs
Yes. I bake them at 350°F (175°C) for 10-11 minutes when using the oven.
I find that chilling the dough helps prevent excessive spreading and improves the flavor and texture.
Absolutely. I often use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, or a combination of all three.
Recipe
Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup chocolate chips, or as desired
Instructions
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, cream the butter, sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes. Then add the egg yolk and vanilla and mix for about 1 minute, until creamy and well combined.
- Add the flour, baking soda, and salt, and mix on medium-low speed just until incorporated, about 30-60 seconds. Then add the chocolate chips and mix on medium-low speed just for a few seconds until well distributed. Then cover and chill for 1 hour.
- Preheat the air fryer at 350°F (175°C). Prepare parchment paper for the air fryer basket by cutting it into the size of the air fryer basket. Set aside.
- Scoop 8 equal-sized balls (about 2 tablespoons [45g]) of chilled cookie dough and roll into balls. Once the air fryer is preheated, line the air fryer basket with the prepared parchment paper and place 3-4 dough balls (depending on the size of your air fryer), spaced 4 inches (10cm) apart, and flatten them until ½ inch (1.3cm) thick. Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until they are lightly browned, puffed, and ripped on top.
- Remove the air fryer basket from the air fryer and let them cool for 5 minutes in the air fryer basket or until firm enough to move them. Then, transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
Cooking Time and Temperature
Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes.Taste & Texture
These air fryer chocolate chip cookies have crispy edges, soft and chewy centers, and plenty of rich chocolate flavor in every bite.Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Warm for a few seconds in the microwave if desired.
Serving Recommendations
I love serving these cookies slightly warm with a cold glass of milk. They're also fantastic with vanilla ice cream for a quick dessert.Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Flour: A 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well.
- Chocolate: Use milk, dark, white chocolate, or chocolate chunks.
- Mix-ins: Add chopped nuts, caramel pieces, or toffee bits.
- Chocolate Chips: Feel free to increase the amount if you like extra chocolate.
Proper Storage Tips
- Store completely cooled cookies only.
- Keep them in an airtight container.
- Place parchment paper between layers if stacking.
- Freeze in a sealed freezer-safe container.
Pro Tips
- Chill the dough for the best texture.
- Bake a test cookie first to learn how your air fryer performs.
- Leave enough room between cookies for spreading.
- Don't overbake if you want soft centers.
- Let the cookies cool before moving them from the basket.
Video
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