If you thought fresh-baked cookies were only for the oven, you’re in for a treat! Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies are everything you love about the classic favorite: golden edges, irresistibly gooey centers, and studded with melty chocolate chips. They’re made right in your air fryer—quick, mess-free, and perfect for when the craving strikes. Get ready for a kitchen adventure that delivers hot, chewy cookies in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things beautifully simple with classic cookie ingredients you probably already have. Each addition plays its part in building the perfect bite: soft and buttery, sweet and a little salty, with rich notes of chocolate throughout.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone of these cookies, providing just the right amount of structure and chew.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for those pillowy centers.
- Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness – don’t skip it!
- Unsalted butter (softened): This is what gives your cookies that dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Brown sugar (packed): Adds caramel undertones and a bit of chewiness to every bite.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps the cookies spread just right in the air fryer.
- Large egg yolk: Gives the cookies richness without making them cakey.
- Vanilla extract: The aromatic essential for real homemade flavor.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: The star of the show; they melt beautifully but keep their shape.
- Cooking spray or parchment rounds: Makes removal easy and keeps your cookies looking perfect every time.
How to Make Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. This quick step guarantees all your leaveners and seasoning are distributed evenly, leading to an even bake and perfect texture throughout.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a larger mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s lightened in color and feels a bit fluffy. This creaming creates air pockets for the most irresistible, tender cookies.
Step 3: Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla
Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until everything is well blended. Using only the yolk gives you just enough richness and moisture for luxurious cookies without being overly cakey or dense.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Fold the flour mixture gradually into the butter mixture. Stir until just combined and a soft dough forms—be careful not to overmix, or your cookies might turn out tough instead of tender.
Step 5: Stir in the Chocolate Chips
It’s time for the best part! Gently fold in all those glorious semi-sweet chocolate chips. Make sure every bite is packed with chocolatey perfection.
Step 6: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for about 3 minutes. This mini preheat step allows the cookies to start baking immediately and helps them keep their shape.
Step 7: Shape and Place Cookies
Line your air fryer basket with either parchment paper or lightly spray it with cooking spray. Scoop out tablespoon-sized amounts of dough, roll them into balls, and place them in the basket with a little breathing room between each—usually 4–5 per batch for the ideal spread and bake.
Step 8: Air Fry Until Golden
Bake (air fry) your cookies for 6–8 minutes, keeping a close eye on them after 6 minutes. For crisper, golden edges, lean toward 8 minutes; for soft and gooey centers, 6 minutes will do the trick. Let them rest in the basket for 2 minutes before moving to a wire rack to finish cooling and setting up fully.
How to Serve Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Garnishes
Finish your Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies with a little flourish: a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt takes them over the top, or try dusting with a touch of powdered sugar for a gorgeous finish. If you’re feeling extra decadent, drizzle with a bit of melted chocolate just as they cool for a bakery-style upgrade.
Side Dishes
Nothing pairs better with warm cookies than a cold glass of milk, but you can get playful with your sides! Serve these cookies with small bowls of seasonal fruit, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a mug of hot cocoa on chilly evenings for the ultimate treat tray.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them high on a pretty cake stand, tuck into colorful treat bags for gifting, or sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two cookies for a luscious DIY dessert sandwich. Mini cookies make a cute topping for puddings or trifles, and kids love helping decorate them with sprinkles or more chocolate chips, too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If (and that’s a big if!) you have leftovers, store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and tasty for up to three days, making them a perfect snack for lunchboxes or afternoon pick-me-ups.
Freezing
Want to plan ahead? Freeze the unbaked dough balls on a tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. You can bake Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies straight from the freezer—just add an extra minute or two to the cooking time. You can also freeze baked cookies, separated by wax paper, for up to 1 month.
Reheating
To bring that fresh-from-the-air-fryer warmth back, pop a cookie into the microwave for about 10 seconds. Or give them a quick 1–2 minutes in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) to gently re-crisp the edges while keeping the centers soft.
FAQs
Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?
Absolutely! The dough doubles beautifully, just be sure to bake in batches so the cookies have enough room in your air fryer to spread and cook evenly.
What size should my cookie dough balls be?
Tablespoon-sized balls are the sweet spot for this recipe, ensuring a perfect balance between chewy middles and golden edges. If you want smaller or larger cookies, adjust the air fryer time accordingly and be sure not to overcrowd the basket.
My cookies spread too much or too little—what can I do?
If your Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies are thinner than you’d like, try chilling the dough for 20–30 minutes before baking. For cookies that don’t spread enough, flatten the dough balls slightly before air frying.
Can I use different kinds of chocolate or mix-ins?
Absolutely! Dark chocolate, white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even dried fruit work beautifully. Just keep the total amount of mix-ins around half a cup to ensure the dough bakes through.
Do I need parchment paper in the air fryer?
Parchment rounds or a quick spritz of oil keep the cookies from sticking and make cleaning up a breeze, especially if your air fryer basket has large holes or isn’t nonstick.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend these Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies enough—craving a homemade, golden, gooey cookie has never been easier or more fun. Whether you bake for a quick snack, midnight treat, or to wow your friends, you’re in for pure, chocolate-chip-studded happiness. Grab your air fryer and give them a whirl!
Print
Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes per batch
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies are a quick and easy dessert option that delivers deliciously crispy edges and a soft center. Perfect for a small batch treat using simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Additional:
- Cooking spray or parchment rounds for air fryer
Instructions
- Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy. Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for 3 minutes. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or lightly spray with cooking spray.
- Shape and Cook: Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and shape into balls. Place them in the basket, leaving space between each. Air fry for 6–8 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let cookies cool in the basket for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.
Notes
- For crispier cookies, cook closer to 8 minutes.
- For softer centers, stick to 6 minutes.
- Use parchment rounds to prevent sticking and keep the shape.
- Dough can be chilled before cooking for better flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
