If you’re craving a treat that’s quick, delicious, and a little bit nostalgic, you’ve got to try this Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe. These cookies come out wonderfully soft with just the right amount of chew, packed with rich peanut butter flavor that melts in your mouth. Thanks to the air fryer, this recipe is a breeze to make and doesn’t heat up your whole kitchen, which is perfect for any time you need a sweet pick-me-up. Whether you’re making them for an afternoon snack or a cozy evening dessert, they hit the spot every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is in how straightforward and accessible the ingredients are. Each one plays a key role in building the cookie’s taste, texture, and even appearance, making this recipe both simple and rewarding.
- Natural, unsweetened peanut butter (1 cup): Provides deep, nutty flavor and moisture, forming the delicious base of the cookie.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Enhances sweetness and helps give the cookies a slight crispiness on the edges.
- Brown sugar (½ cup, light or dark): Adds chewiness and a subtle molasses undertone, enriching the cookie’s complexity.
- Large egg (1, room temperature): Binds everything together while adding moisture for perfect softness.
- Gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (1 cup, with xanthan gum): Keeps these cookies gluten-free without sacrificing texture.
- Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Gives a gentle lift to the dough for a light, tender crumb.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Brightens and complements the peanut butter flavor beautifully.
- Gluten-free chocolate chips (½ cup, optional): A delightful mix-in for those who want a chocolatey twist.
How to Make Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Base Ingredients
Start by combining the peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and room-temperature egg in a mixing bowl. Stir everything until you have a smooth, creamy consistency. This step is crucial for making sure your dough is evenly blended, which guarantees those perfect cookies come out of the air fryer.
Step 2: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Next, gently fold in the gluten-free flour, baking soda, and vanilla extract. Take care not to overmix here; delicate folding keeps your dough tender, ensuring your cookies maintain that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture you’re aiming for.
Step 3: Shape the Dough
Using a tablespoon-sized scoop, portion the dough and roll it into smooth balls using your hands. Uniform size is key so the cookies bake evenly, allowing every cookie to finish cooking at the same time with perfect consistency.
Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer
Before baking, preheat your air fryer to 350°F for about five minutes. This encourages even cooking and helps your cookies develop that lovely golden crust on the outside while staying tender inside.
Step 5: Arrange and Cook
Place the cookie dough balls in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Cook for around 7 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. This timing is essential to avoid drying out your cookies while giving them just the right bake.
Step 6: Cool Completely
Once cooked, transfer your cookies onto a wire rack to cool fully. This step lets the cookies set properly, which intensifies the flavor and prevents them from breaking when you pick them up. Enjoy the anticipation!
How to Serve Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To dress up your Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe, try sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt on top right after cooking to highlight the natural peanut butter richness. Another delicious idea is to drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies for an indulgent touch.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea. The creamy beverage pairs perfectly with the peanut butter’s crunch and sweetness, creating a comforting flavor experience that feels like a warm hug.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your cookie platter extra special by layering the cookies between sheets of parchment paper in a pretty tin or basket. You can also sandwich a dollop of homemade or store-bought jelly or chocolate spread between two cookies for a fun twist on the classic peanut butter and jelly combo.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which is rare), store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They maintain their soft texture beautifully, so you can enjoy them as if freshly baked.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze well for up to 3 months and thaw quickly at room temperature.
Reheating
When you want to enjoy a cookie fresh out of the oven again, simply warm it in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes at 300°F or microwave it for 10-15 seconds. This revives the softness and enhances that freshly baked feeling every time.
FAQs
Can I use regular all-purpose flour instead of gluten-free?
Absolutely! If gluten is not an issue for you, regular all-purpose flour will work perfectly in this recipe and may produce an even softer cookie.
Why do the cookies sometimes flatten too much?
If your peanut butter is too oily or the dough gets too warm before cooking, the cookies may spread more. Chilling the dough briefly before shaping can help maintain their shape.
Can I add other mix-ins besides chocolate chips?
Yes! Feel free to stir in chopped nuts, dried fruit, or even white chocolate chips to customize your Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe to your liking.
Is it necessary to preheat the air fryer?
Preheating the air fryer ensures even cooking and consistent browning. Skipping this step could lead to unevenly baked cookies.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
Look for lightly browned edges and a slightly firm top. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool, so it’s okay if they feel a bit soft coming out of the air fryer.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting about homemade peanut butter cookies, and this Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe makes that comfort so easy to achieve right in your kitchen. With simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and quick cooking times, these cookies are sure to become a new favorite for you to share, snack on, and savor anytime. Give this recipe a try and treat yourself to the warm, nutty goodness that only peanut butter cookies can deliver!
Print
Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies that are gluten-free and perfect for a quick treat. These cookies have a soft interior with a golden exterior, made with natural peanut butter, brown and granulated sugars, and optionally chocolate chips for a sweet twist.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (with xanthan gum)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup gluten-free chocolate chips (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup natural, unsweetened peanut butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 large egg (at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and the room-temperature egg. Stir the mixture until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency. Properly mixing these ingredients ensures a well-blended dough for your air fryer peanut butter cookies.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Carefully fold in the gluten-free flour, baking soda, and vanilla extract. Make sure to incorporate everything without overmixing. This delicate folding keeps your cookies tender and gives them just the right texture.
- Shape Dough: Using a tablespoon-sized scoop, portion out the dough and roll it into smooth balls with your hands. Placing evenly sized balls on the tray will help them cook uniformly in the air fryer, leading to consistent results.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (about 175°C) for approximately 5 minutes. This step is crucial as it ensures the cookies cook evenly, achieving that perfect golden exterior while maintaining a soft interior.
- Arrange and Cook: Arrange the cookie balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, taking care not to overcrowd them. Cook for 7 minutes or until they are lightly browned. This timing is essential to prevent the cookies from drying out during the cooking process.
- Cool: When the cookies are done, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Allowing them to cool ensures they set properly and develop the right texture.
Notes
- You can omit the chocolate chips for a more classic peanut butter cookie flavor or substitute with nuts if desired.
- Make sure the egg is at room temperature to help with better mixing and texture.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and proper crisping of the cookies.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
