Easy Air Fryer Cookie Dough – All Dietary Preferences
Air fryers have revolutionised how we approach cooking, especially when it comes to quick and easy dessert options.
One of the most exciting creations from this trend is air fryer cookie dough.
Whether you’re craving a gooey, freshly baked treat or seeking a gluten-free or vegetarian option, this guide covers everything you need to know about making the perfect air fryer cookie dough dessert.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to make classic air fryer cookie dough, gluten-free alternatives, and even a vegan-friendly version.
No matter your dietary preference, you’ll find a delicious option that satisfies your sweet tooth.
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Why Make Cookie Dough in an Air Fryer?
Benefits of Using an Air Fryer for Desserts
Using an air fryer to make desserts is a game-changer. For cookie dough in particular, an air fryer offers several unique benefits:
- Faster cooking times compared to a traditional oven. Air fryers don’t need to be preheated for small batches, making them perfect for quick dessert cravings.
- Energy-efficient: Air fryers consume less energy because they cook faster and don’t require preheating for small portions.
- Even cooking: The air circulation ensures your cookie dough bakes evenly, giving you that perfect balance of a crispy exterior and gooey interior.
Healthier Option
Air frying is often considered a healthier cooking method because it uses less fat. While traditional cookie dough recipes call for a generous amount of butter and sugar, the fast-cooking nature of an air fryer can reduce the amount of butter needed for a crispy texture. This is a win for those looking to indulge without as much guilt.
To achieve consistent results, use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the dough evenly.
Crafted from high-quality stainless steel, this versatile set includes large, medium and small sizes, perfect for serving up everything from creamy ice cream to portioning cookie dough.
Convenient and Versatile
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned home baker, air fryer cookie dough is incredibly convenient. You can make small batches quickly, which is great when you’re craving a treat but don’t want to heat the entire oven. Plus, air fryers are versatile enough for other desserts like brownies, cakes, or even savoury snacks.
Cookie Dough Quantities
Each of these air fryer cookie dough recipes will make approximately 8-10 medium-sized cookies depending on how you portion the dough.
For air fryer cookie dough, the recipe provides about 8 cookies when using 1-2 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Adjust the size of each cookie according to your preference, but keep in mind that smaller cookies will cook faster, while larger ones may require an additional minute or two in the air fryer.
For gluten-free and vegan versions, the dough’s texture can vary slightly, especially if using alternative flour or egg substitutes. However, you can still expect to make about 8-10 cookies from each batch. If you prefer thicker or larger cookies, this number may be slightly reduced, while smaller cookies can increase the yield to 10 or more.
Air Fryer Cookie Dough Recipe
Ingredients
- 100g plain flour
- 60g unsalted butter, softened
- 75g caster sugar
- 1 medium egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100g chocolate chips
- Pinch of salt
How To Make Cookie Dough In The Air Fryer
- Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating well.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 160C/ 320F for 5 minutes. While preheating isn’t always necessary, it helps to achieve a crisp exterior.
- Portion the Dough: Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Use a spoon to drop portions of cookie dough into the basket, ensuring they have space to spread slightly.
- Cook the Dough: Air fry the dough for 7-8 minutes until golden on top but still soft in the centre.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy the perfect blend of a crispy outside and gooey centre!
Air Fryer Cookie Dough Tips
- Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your butter is at room temperature for smoother blending.
- Avoid overmixing: Overmixing the dough can result in tougher cookies. Stir just until the ingredients are combined for a softer texture.
- Use parchment paper: This prevents the dough from sticking to the fryer basket and makes clean-up a breeze.
- Watch your cooking time: Air fryers can vary slightly in cooking times. Keep an eye on your first batch and adjust as necessary.
Gluten-Free Air Fryer Cookie Dough Recipe
For those who follow a gluten-free diet, making air fryer cookie dough is still simple and delicious.
You’ll need to adjust a few ingredients, but the process remains largely the same.
Ingredients
- 100g gluten-free flour (such as almond flour)
- 60g unsalted butter (or dairy-free butter)
- 75g caster sugar
- 1 medium egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100g gluten-free chocolate chips
- ¼ tsp xanthan gum (optional, for binding)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then stir until fully combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift the gluten-free flour and xanthan gum into the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in the gluten-free chocolate chips.
- Preheat and Portion: Preheat the air fryer to 160°C. Line the basket with parchment paper and portion the dough into the basket.
- Cook the Dough: Air fry at 160°C for 6-8 minutes. The cookies will be golden on the outside but still soft in the middle.
- Serve and Enjoy: Allow to cool slightly before serving. These cookies are perfect for anyone with a gluten intolerance or allergy.
Tips for Gluten-Free Cookie Dough
- Choose the right flour: Using a gluten-free flour that includes xanthan gum or adding it yourself will help maintain the structure of the cookies.
- Dough texture: Gluten-free dough can be slightly crumbly. Adding an extra egg yolk or a tablespoon of water can help improve the texture.
Vegetarian & Vegan Air Fryer Cookie Dough Recipe
For those following a vegetarian or vegan diet, you can easily adapt cookie dough recipes to exclude animal products.
Here’s how to create a delicious vegan air fryer cookie dough.
Ingredients
- 100g plain flour
- 60g vegan butter
- 75g caster sugar
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100g vegan chocolate chips
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Flax Egg: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it thickens.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Cream the vegan butter and sugar together. Add the flax egg and vanilla extract, stirring well.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Mix the flour and salt in a separate bowl, then slowly fold it into the wet mixture. Stir in the vegan chocolate chips.
- Preheat and Portion: Preheat the air fryer to 160C/320F for 5 minutes. Line the basket with parchment paper and spoon in the cookie dough.
- Cook the Dough: Air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden on the edges.
- Enjoy Your Vegan Cookie Dough: Let cool for a few minutes before serving warm.
Tips for Vegan Cookie Dough
- Egg substitutes: The flax egg is a popular vegan alternative, but chia seeds can also be used. Alternatively, you can use a supermarket egg replacer.
- Vegan butter brands: Choose a UK-available brand like Flora Plant for a smooth, buttery taste without animal products.
- Dairy-free chocolate: Opt for brands like Green & Black’s dark chocolate chips.
More delicious dessert recipes can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I bake store-bought cookie dough in an air fryer?
Yes, you can! Many store-bought cookie dough brands, including gluten-free and vegan options, work well in an air fryer. Simply follow the packaging instructions for portion size, then air fry at 160C/ 320F for 8-10 minutes.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer for cookie dough?
Preheating is optional but can improve results. Preheating ensures that the air fryer reaches the right temperature immediately, helping the cookie dough develop a crispy edge without overcooking the centre.
Can I cook frozen cookie dough in the air fryer?
Absolutely! Prepare your cookie dough as usual and freeze the dough balls on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container. You can air fry cookie dough directly from frozen; just add an extra 2-3 minutes to the cooking time.
Why is my air fryer cookie dough burning?
If your cookie dough is burning, try lowering the temperature by 10°C or shortening the cooking time by a couple of minutes. Every air fryer model is different, so you may need to make slight adjustments.
Can I make multiple batches of cookie dough in an air fryer?
Yes, but be mindful not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Give each cookie dough ball enough space to cook evenly. If cooking multiple batches, reduce the cooking time slightly for subsequent batches as the air fryer will already be hot.
Final Thoughts
Air fryer cookie dough is a fantastic, quick, and easy dessert that caters to a variety of dietary preferences.
Whether you’re making a classic batch, a gluten-free option, or a vegan version, the air fryer delivers perfectly crispy, gooey cookie dough in a fraction of the time.
So, fire up your air fryer, try one of these recipes, and enjoy a delicious dessert made to your exact specifications.
Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or just a cookie dough lover, there’s something here for everyone!
Air Fryer Cookie Dough – All Dietary Preferences
Ingredients
- 100g plain flour
- 60g unsalted butter, softened
- 75g caster sugar
- 1 medium egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100g chocolate chips
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating well.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 160C/ 320F for 5 minutes. While preheating isn’t always necessary, it helps to achieve a crisp exterior.
- Portion the Dough: Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Use a spoon to drop portions of cookie dough into the basket, ensuring they have space to spread slightly.
- Cook the Dough: Air fry the dough for 7-8 minutes until golden on top but still soft in the centre.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy the perfect blend of a crispy outside and gooey centre!
