Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
on Oct 30, 2024
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Air fryer peanut butter cookies are the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without heating up your whole kitchen. For this and many other reasons, this is one of my favorite air fryer recipes.
With a cooking time of only 8 minutes and for under $3.00, you can whip up a batch of delicious homemade cookies with ingredients you probably already have.
Whether you’re craving a few cookies for yourself or a quick snack for the family, these air fryer peanut butter cookies are a simple and fast solution. Ready to give this sweet treat a try? Let’s do it!
Table of Contents
- About these Air Fryer Cookies
- Ingredients and Cost for Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
- How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies in an Air Fryer
- Substitutions and Variations
- Expert Recipe Tips
- What to Serve with These Cookies
- How to Store, Reheat and Freeze
- Answers to Your Recipe Questions
- Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- More Peanut Butter Treats
About these Air Fryer Cookies
You might say that our family of six boys is big on cookies. And peanut butter recipes? Well, that is a big heck yeah as well! It’s no wonder why this recipe for easy air fryer cookies is fast becoming one of our favorites.
Our household makes cookie recipes for every shape, size, and flavor. From old-fashioned molasses cookies that I grew up with to classic chocolate chip cookies and one of my favorites, soft pumpkin cookies.
We even have a huge collection of over two dozen types of the best Christmas cookies. I may give anesthesia for a living but I can honestly say that I am a cookie expert; I’ve been making them for over 50 years!
But did you know you can make perfect cookies in your air fryer? When I first made this delicious treat, it was almost like I had discovered penicillin.
I had a similar feeling when I learned you can make an incredible cake using your slow cooker. All of these things are miracles in their own right, in my cookie-obsessed mind at least.
It’s an easy recipe and a great way to enjoy traditional peanut butter cookies in small batches.
This peanut butter cookies recipe is ideal for when you want a quick dessert but don’t feel like firing up your oven. Our traditional 3-ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe that we make in conventional ovens is great, but using the air fryer means less time waiting for your treats. The best part is it also keeps the kitchen cool.
Plus, these cookies come out perfectly soft and golden with that signature crosshatch pattern on top. It’s an air fryer cookies recipe you’ll find yourself making again and again.
Ingredients and Cost for Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
Like classic peanut butter cookies, this air fryer cookie recipe features simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
- 1 cup Creamy peanut butter – $1.50: The star of the show! It gives the cookies their rich, nutty flavor and smooth texture.
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar – $0.20: Adds sweetness and helps the cookies get that nice golden finish.
- 1/4 cup Brown sugar – $0.15: Brings extra moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
- 1 Large egg – $0.25: Holds everything together while giving the cookies a soft, chewy texture.
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract – $0.33: Adds a warm and fragrant flavor that pairs perfectly with peanut butter.
- 1/4 cup All-purpose flour – $0.22: Provides structure to the cookies, ensuring they hold their shape.
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda – $0.01: Helps the cookies rise slightly, giving them just the right texture.
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt – $0.01: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Makes 12 cookies
- Total Cost: $2.67
- Cost per Serving (1 cookie): $0.22
Based on common U.S. prices.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies in an Air Fryer
(See the recipe card below for the full recipe)
Start by preheating your air fryer to 300° F. Then, line the bottom of your air fryer basket with a piece of parchment paper, ensuring it doesn’t touch the heating element.
- In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the mixture.
- Stir until smooth.
- Slowly mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Stir until just combined—the peanut butter cookie dough will be slightly sticky.
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough for each cookie. Use the palm of your hand to roll the dough into balls.
- Place them on the parchment paper, leaving enough space between each one to get those nice crispy edges.
- Gently press a crisscross pattern onto each cookie using a fork.
- Air fry the cookies for 8 minutes. Check them—they should be lightly golden on top but still soft. If needed, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Let the cookies cool in the air fryer basket for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Substitutions and Variations
- Peanut butter alternatives: Try using almond butter or sunflower seed butter if you’re looking for a peanut-free option.
- Add-ins: Throw in some chocolate chips or chopped nuts for an extra texture and flavor boost.
- Sugar substitutes: Swap out the sugars with coconut sugar or a low-calorie sweetener for a slightly healthier version of these cookies.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Use a small cookie scoop and a kitchen scale to make these homemade peanut butter cookies uniform in size and shape.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket—give the cookies space to bake evenly.
- Keep an eye on the cookies during the last few minutes to avoid overcooking. Air fryers can vary in temperature, so it’s better to check early.
- If the dough feels too sticky to handle, refrigerate it for 10-15 minutes before rolling it into balls.
What to Serve with These Cookies
Pair these easy air fryer peanut butter cookies with a cold glass of milk or a cup of slow cooker hot chocolate for a perfect snack. If you’re a cookie dunker like me, try our peppermint patti drink or egg nog latte are perfect for washing these down during the holiday season.
They’re also great alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a more indulgent dessert!
How to Store, Reheat and Freeze
These air fryer cookies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
To Reheat: Place cookies in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to refresh their texture. You can also microwave them for about 10-15 seconds if you prefer a quicker option.
To Freeze: Freeze cookies after letting them cool, then reheat them in the air fryer or microwave for a warm treat.
Answers to Your Recipe Questions
Yes, you can freeze the dough balls and air fry them directly from frozen. You may need to add an extra 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.
Yes, chunky peanut butter will add a nice texture to these cookies.
Yes, you can easily double the ingredients to make a larger batch. Just air fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.
The next time you decide to bake cookies, try this air fryer cookies recipe instead of the traditional oven-baked ones!
I think you’re going to love this easy cookie recipe so much that you just may find this to be your new favorite way to make delicious peanut butter cookies. For a small batch of cookies, try these today!
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Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
Equipment
- Hand Mixer (Optional)
- Cookie scoop (Optional)
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until the mixture is smooth.
- Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir until just combined. The dough will be slightly sticky.
- Preheat your air fryer to 300°F.
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, making sure it doesn’t touch the heating element.
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough for each cookie. Roll into balls and place them on the parchment paper, leaving space between each cookie.
- Gently press a crisscross pattern on top of each cookie with a fork.
- Air fry for 8 minutes, then check the cookies. They should be lightly golden on top but still soft. If needed, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Carefully remove the cookies from the air fryer and let them cool in the basket for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Repeat the process with any remaining dough until all cookies are baked.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 10-15 minutes if it’s too sticky to handle, making it easier to roll into balls.
- Space the cookies out in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and prevent them from sticking together.
- Check the cookies a minute or two before the end of the cook time, as air fryers can vary in temperature and cook quickly.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I just made a quick small batch of this delicious cookie recipe; thanks so much for sharing!