Air Fryer Sugar Cookies from Scratch

Name: Air Fryer Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cups white sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; 1 ½ cups white flour; 2 tablespoons milk (only if needed)

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These Air Fryer Sugar Cookies are quick to make and delicious. Learn how to make sugar cookies in air fryer from scratch!

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Delight your sweet tooth anytime with these easy Air Fryer Sugar Cookies.

These sugar cookies are soft, chewy, and perfect for a quick dessert or snack. Top it with sprinkles or your favorite toppings for a satisfying bite.

stack of 4 air fryer sugar cookies on the counter with a glass of milk

Did You Know You Can Air Fry Cookie Dough?!

Air fryers are truly magical devices in the kitchen for lazy days. In fact, I've created a few other desserts in my air fryer that are equally delicious!

These easy Air Fryer Brownies are definitely perfect when I have a chocolate craving. With only a few ingredients and less prep time, it's definitely worth the try.

why we love these sugar cookies

Delicious: A tasty cookie recipe that's easily customizable and always delicious.
Easy: Air fryer desserts are so easy to make. Air fryers are becoming a great option for quick bakes.
Great for small gatherings: Having a few friends over? Small-batch cookies are a perfect dessert for small groups.

Ingredients for Sugar Cookies in Air Fryer

How To Make Air Fryer Sugar Cookies

In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.
Add vanilla and salt and mix again until well incorporated.
Combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture into your creamed sugar in thirds.
If your dough appears too dry, add a dash of milk to moisten it until the dough is firm, but not crumbly.
Place three balls of dough in your air fryer basket and cook for 9 minutes at 350 degrees.
Allow cookies to cool, spread on your favorite store-bought frosting, add sprinkles, and enjoy!

creamed together sugar and butter with vanilla

How to Store a Sugar Cookie Air Fryer Made

Storing: Best if served right away, but leftover cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container.

Freezing: Air-fried cookies can be stored in a freezer bag or an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Freezing Cookie Dough: You can freeze this cookie dough. Scoop into balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet or use these cookie dough freezing trays.

Check out this post for How to Freeze Cookie Dough for tips on saving cookie dough for later.

someone holding a cookie with frosting and sprinkles

Substitutions for this Recipe:

Unsalted Butter: Butter is essential to this recipe. We haven't tried it with dairy free butter but it might work!

White Sugar: We don't recommend substituting white sugar unless you have to, but White sugar can be used interchangeably with brown sugar. You can add 1 teaspoon of molasses to white sugar to make brown sugar. Check out this post on Sugar Substitutes for Baking for other ideas.

Vanilla Extract: Helps to add flavor, we don't recommend substituting.

Salt: Helps to add flavor, we don't recommend substituting.

Baking Powder: Baking powder is essential for this recipe. Do NOT substitute with baking soda.

Baking Soda: Baking soda is essential for this recipe. Do not substitute with baking powder.

All Purpose Flour: We don't recommend substituting the flour, but you can check out this article on Cake Flour vs. All-Purpose Flour or Substitutions for All-Purpose Flour

Milk: You can substitute milk with half and half, low fat milk or non dairy milk.

Tips & Variations for this Air Fryer Sugar Cookie recipe

Fruit topping: Use a cream cheese frosting with thinly sliced fruit on top. Mini fruit cookie pizzas!
Sprinkles: Experiment with the millions of different kinds of sprinkles out there. Easy holiday customization.
Don't overcrowd your basket: If you place too many cookie dough balls in your air fryer basket you may end up with one large cookie.

stack of cookies next to sprinkles and a glass of milk

FAQs for Air Fryer Sugar Cookies from Scratch

Can You Put Cookie Dough in an Air Fryer if it's Store Bought?

Yes you can! How many store bought cookies you can make does depend on the size air fryer you have. Place parchment paper in the bottom of your air fryer basket, place the cookie dough on top of that. Air fry at 350 for 5-9 minutes. The cook depends on your air fryer and the cookies, so be sure to keep an eye on them.

Do You Have To Use Parchment Paper for Cookies in Air Fryer?

You don't have to use parchment paper in the air fryer. It helps for an easy clean-up and to be certain that your cookies won't stick to the basket. If you happen to out of parchment paper, aluminum foil works just as well.

Why can’t I bake more than three cookies at a time?

Depending on the size of your air fryer basket and the size of cookie you want, you may be able to cook up to four or five cookies at a time; however, it is important to avoid crowding the air fryer basket to ensure that the cookies cook properly. Additionally, giving the cookies as much space as possible will help prevent them from merging.

How will I know when my cookies are done?

The end result of these cookies is very similar to cookies baked in the oven. You are looking for your sugar cookies to have a slightly crispy and firm top.

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