Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
Introduction
If you love soft, chewy cookies with crisp edges, these Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies are about to become your new favorite! They’re rich, nutty, slightly caramelized on the outside, and perfectly tender inside.
The best part?
No oven required
Ready in under 15 minutes
Small batch friendly
Minimal ingredients
Perfect for quick tea-time treats, kids’ snacks, or late-night cravings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Shaping Time: 5 minutes
Air Fry Time: 6–8 minutes
Cooling Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: ~20 minutes
Ingredients
1 cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup granulated sugar
1 egg (room temperature)
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt (optional)
For extra flavor: Add 2 tbsp brown sugar for a softer texture.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Dough (5 minutes)
In a mixing bowl:
Add peanut butter, sugar, egg, baking soda, vanilla, and salt.
Mix until smooth and thick.
The dough will be soft but scoopable.
Shape the Cookies (5 minutes)
Scoop 1 tablespoon dough.
Roll into balls.
Place on parchment paper (cut to fit air fryer basket).
Gently press with a fork to create the classic criss-cross pattern.
Leave space between cookies.
Preheat Air Fryer (3 minutes)
Preheat at 160°C (320°F).
Air Fry (6–8 minutes)
Place cookies in basket (do not overcrowd).
Cook at 160°C for 6–8 minutes.
Edges should look set; centers slightly soft.
Do NOT overbake — they firm up while cooling!
Cool (10 minutes)
Let cookies cool inside the basket for 5 minutes.
Then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
They’ll become perfectly chewy as they set.
Optional Variations
Add chocolate chips
Sprinkle sea salt on top
Mix in crushed peanuts for crunch
Drizzle melted dark chocolate after cooling
Room temperature: 4–5 days (airtight container)
Freeze dough balls: up to 2 months
Freeze baked cookies: up to 1 month
Pro Tips
Use natural peanut butter only if well-stirred
Don’t overcrowd the basket
Always use parchment with holes for airflow
Smaller batches cook more evenly
Final Thoughts
These Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies are simple, nostalgic, and incredibly satisfying. With just a few pantry ingredients and minutes of cooking time, you get bakery-style cookies without turning on the oven.