How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies in Air Fryer (+Tips and Tricks)

Let me show you how to make chocolate chip cookies in air fryer – it’s simpler than you might think! These cookies come out with perfectly crisp edges and centers that stay gooey. I’ve figured out a few key tricks after making about a dozen batches over the past few months.

Check out the video below to see exactly how I make these chocolate chip cookies in the air fryer step by step. If you enjoy this recipe, please like and subscribe for more delicious air fryer baking recipes

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Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Cookies

When I first tried making cookies in my air fryer, I was skeptical. Could they really turn out as good as oven-baked ones? Turns out, they’re even better in some ways.

These cookies have perfectly crisp edges with centers that stay soft and gooey for days. The air fryer circulates hot air around each cookie evenly, creating a beautiful golden exterior while keeping the inside perfectly gooey.

Plus, you can make them in small batches whenever a cookie craving hits without heating up your entire kitchen with a massive oven.

Ingredients You’ll Need For These Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here’s everything you need to make these chocolate chip cookies. I’ve included both cup and gram measurements for perfect results every time.

• 3 cups (385g) bread flour
• 1 teaspoon (3g) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (3g) baking soda
• 1 teaspoon (4g) kosher salt
• 8 ounces (226g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar, packed
• 3/4 cup (145g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, cold
• 2 teaspoons (10g) vanilla extract
• 1 cup (145g) semisweet chocolate for baking, roughly chopped
• 1 cup (145g) milk chocolate chips

Equipment Needed

You don’t need anything fancy beyond your air fryer to make these cookies perfect:

• Air fryer ( I am using this Ninja Air Fryer)
• Two mixing bowls
• Electric mixer (hand or stand)
• Whisk
• Spatula
• Kitchen scale (highly recommended for consistent cookies)
• Parchment paper

If you’re wondering which air fryer I use and absolutely love for these cookies, check out the Ninja air fryer below – it’s been my kitchen MVP for consistently perfect results every time!

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Why Bread Flour Makes a Difference

I discovered that bread flour creates a chewier, more substantial cookie that holds up beautifully in the air fryer.

Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which creates more gluten when mixed. This extra structure helps the cookies maintain their shape in the intense heat of the air fryer while still allowing them to spread just enough. The result is a cookie with the perfect bite – not too cakey and not too thin.

Top Tip: Don’t have bread flour? You can use all-purpose flour, but your cookies will spread a bit more and have a slightly different texture.

The Cold Butter Technique

One of the biggest secrets to these chocolate chip cookies is using cold butter instead of room temperature.

When you use cold butter and don’t fully cream it with the sugar, you get pockets of butter in the dough that create an amazing texture when baked. This technique gives you cookies with crispy edges and soft centers – exactly what we want!

Did You Know? Most cookie recipes call for softened butter because it’s easier to cream with sugar, but cold butter actually gives you more control over the final texture of your cookies.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies in Air Fryer

Follow these steps carefully for perfect air fryer chocolate chip cookies every time.

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

This quick first step ensures that all your leavening agents are evenly distributed.

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the bread flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt until well combined.
2. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

This is where our technique differs from traditional cookie recipes.

1. In a separate bowl, add the cold, cubed butter. Beat with an electric mixer for about 30 seconds until the butter starts to break apart (but isn’t creamed).
2. Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix just until combined but still somewhat crumbly – don’t overmix!
3. Add the cold eggs and vanilla extract. Mix on medium-low for about 30 seconds. The mixture might look slightly separated, and that’s perfectly fine.

Note: This may look different from the cookie dough you’re used to making! Trust the process – the slightly under-mixed appearance is what gives these cookies their perfect texture.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Now, we’ll bring everything together, being careful not to develop too much gluten.

1. Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients.
2. Mix by hand until just combined. Some butter streaks are actually good!
3. Don’t overmix, or you’ll get tough cookies instead of tender ones.

Step 4: Add the Chocolate

The combination of chopped chocolate and chips creates pockets of melty goodness throughout each cookie.

1. Add the chopped semisweet chocolate and milk chocolate chips to the dough.
2. Fold them in with a spatula until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Top Tip: Chopping your own chocolate rather than using all chips creates those amazing melty pockets in your cookies. The irregular pieces melt differently, giving you varied chocolate experiences in each bite.

Step 5: Portion and Chill the Dough

This step is crucial for air fryer success – don’t skip it!

1. Weigh out 120g portions of dough for each cookie (about 1/2 cup).
2. Shape each portion into a round ball.
3. Place the dough balls on a lined tray and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Note: Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too quickly in the air fryer and gives them that perfect texture. The cold dough also helps ensure the outside doesn’t cook too quickly before the inside is done.

Step 6: Air Fry the Cookies

Finally, we’re ready to bake!

1. Preheat your air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for 2-3 minutes.
2. Place cold dough ball(s) in your air fryer basket, leaving room between them if cooking multiple cookies.
3. Air fry for 15 minutes or until golden brown on the outside but still soft in the middle.
4. Let the cookies cool in the air fryer basket for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Top Tip: Keep the remaining dough balls in the refrigerator while cooking batches to maintain the proper temperature.

Love baking in your air fryer? Check out this recipe for the Best Air Fryer Brownies in Just 20 Minutes! — easy, delicious, and ready in no time!

Storing Your Air Fryer Cookies

These cookies stay delicious for days with proper storage, and the dough can be saved for future cravings.

Storing Baked Cookies

• Counter Storage: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for 4-5 days. Add a piece of bread to keep them extra soft.
• Freezer: Freeze cooled cookies in a sealed container with parchment between layers for up to 3 months.
• Quick Refresh: Warm stored cookies in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 300°F to restore that fresh-baked taste.

Did You Know? You can also freeze the shaped, unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months. Just add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time when baking from frozen.

Storing Unbaked Cookie Dough

• Refrigerator: Shaped dough balls stay good for 3 days in the fridge. This actually improves the flavor!
• Freezer: Freeze dough balls on a tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
• Baking From Frozen: No need to thaw – just add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time and enjoy fresh cookies whenever the craving hits.

Note: For food safety, never leave raw cookie dough at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Troubleshooting Tips

Even experienced bakers sometimes need help. Here are solutions to common issues when making air fryer cookies:

If Your Cookies Spread Too Much

• The dough might be too warm. Try chilling it longer.
• Your air fryer might run hot. Try reducing the temperature by 10 degrees.
• Check that you used bread flour and cold butter as specified.

If Your Cookies Are Too Dry

• They might be overbaked. Reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
• Make sure you’re not overmixing the dough when adding dry ingredients.

If The Outside Burns Before Inside Is Done

• Your air fryer temperature may be too high. Lower it and extend cooking time.
• Try placing a small piece of foil loosely over the top for the last few minutes.

Recipe Variations

While these cookies are perfect as is, here are some tasty ways to switch things up:

Add-In Options

• Replace half the chocolate with toasted nuts
• Add 1/4 cup of toffee bits
• Mix in 1/2 cup of dried cherries with dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate

Flavor Twists

• Add 1/2 teaspoon of espresso powder to intensify the chocolate flavor
• Mix in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon for a warm spiced version

Why This Recipe Works in the Air Fryer

I’ve tested this recipe countless times to perfect it for the air fryer, and I’ve learned why certain techniques matter more here than in oven baking.

The air fryer’s intense, circulating heat cooks the outside of foods quickly. That’s why cold dough is quite important, as I said – it gives the cookies time to rise and set before the exterior gets too dark.

The bread flour provides structure that withstands this cooking method, and the higher moisture content in the dough (from the minimal mixing) helps keep the centers gooey.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the questions I get asked most often about making cookies in the air fryer.

Can I use regular all-purpose flour?

Yes, but your cookies may spread more and have a slightly less chewy texture. If using all-purpose, reduce the amount by 2 tablespoons.

Do I really need to chill the dough?

Absolutely! Chilled dough is crucial for air fryer cookies. Without chilling, they’ll spread too quickly and likely burn before cooking through.

Can I make smaller cookies?

Yes! For smaller cookies (about 60g each), reduce the cooking time to 8-10 minutes. This recipe will make about 16 smaller cookies.

My air fryer is small. Can I still make these?

Definitely! Just cook one or two cookies at a time, keeping the rest of the dough chilled until ready to bake.

No Air Fryer? Make These Cookies in Your Oven Instead

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can still enjoy these amazing chocolate chip cookies.

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and place the chilled cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 3 inches between each.

Bake for 12-14 minutes until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look slightly underdone.

Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

You’ll still get that perfect texture contrast between crispy edges and soft centers!

More Air Fryer Baking Recipes to Try

If you liked these air fryer chocolate chip cookies, make sure to try my Best Air Fryer Brownies recipe too! They take just 20 minutes and come out super fudgy. Both are perfect, easy air fryer desserts when you’re craving something sweet.

Other air fryer desserts worth trying:

• Easy Air Fryer Doughnuts – Classic pillowy doughnuts made simple in the air fryer — no oil splatters needed!
• Air Fryer Baked Oats Recipe – A cozy, wholesome breakfast treat that’s soft, fluffy, and naturally sweetened.
• Air Fryer Yogurt Cake – A light, moist cake with a hint of tangy yogurt flavor — perfect for tea time or a quick dessert.