Save to Pinterest I made these on a Tuesday night after a random cookie craving hit, and the air fryer changed everything. Six cookies later, my kitchen smelled like a bakery and I had zero regret about eating half of them standing up.
My roommate walked in mid bake and gave me the weirdest look until she smelled them. Now she asks me to make these every time we watch movies, and honestly, I cannot blame her one bit.
Ingredients
- All purpose flour: The foundation for that classic cookie texture we all know and love
- Baking soda: Just enough lift to give these cookies their signature puff without spreading too thin
- Salt: A tiny pinch that makes the chocolate flavor pop like it should
- Unsalted butter: Softened to room temp so it creams beautifully with the sugars
- Brown sugar: The secret weapon for chewiness and that gorgeous golden color
- Granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness and gives the edges their crisp bite
- Vanilla extract: Do not skip this, it makes everything taste like a proper cookie
- Egg yolk: Just one yolk adds richness without making too much dough
- Semisweet chocolate chips: The classic choice but swap in whatever makes you happy
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients:
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl until well combined and set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugars:
- Beat the softened butter with both sugars until the mixture looks fluffy and pale, about two minutes.
- Add the wet ingredients:
- Mix in the vanilla extract and egg yolk until everything is smooth and creamy.
- Combine everything:
- Gradually stir in the dry ingredients just until the flour disappears, then fold in the chocolate chips.
- Preheat the air fryer:
- Set your air fryer to 320°F and let it run for two minutes empty while you scoop the dough.
- Prepare the basket:
- Cut parchment paper to fit the bottom of your air fryer basket perfectly.
- Scoop the dough:
- Drop six tablespoon sized balls onto the parchment, spacing them out so they have room to spread.
- Air fry to perfection:
- Cook for seven to eight minutes until the edges turn golden brown but centers still look slightly soft.
- Cool and enjoy:
- Let them sit in the basket for five minutes, then move them to a rack to finish cooling.
Save to Pinterest These became my go to for late night study sessions because the recipe makes exactly enough to satisfy without leaving me with two dozen cookies to eat alone.
Getting the Texture Right
The key is pulling them out when edges are set but centers still look slightly underbaked. They continue cooking on the hot parchment and end up perfectly chewy every single time.
Customizing Your Batch
I have swapped in milk chocolate chips, added chopped pecans, and even stirred in a pinch of cinnamon. The small batch size is perfect for experimenting with mix ins.
Storing and Reheating
These stay soft in an airtight container for three days, though they rarely last that long in my apartment. A quick ten second zap in the microwave brings back that fresh baked warmth.
- Freeze unbaked dough balls on a baking sheet then store in a bag for fresh cookies anytime
- Press extra chocolate chips into the tops before air frying for that bakery look
- Double the recipe easily if you actually want to share with more than one friend
Save to Pinterest Hope these little cookies bring as many cozy moments to your kitchen as they have to mine.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I prevent cookies from sticking to the air fryer basket?
Line the basket with parchment paper to ensure the dough doesn’t stick during air frying.
- → Can I substitute the semisweet chocolate chips?
Yes, you can use milk or dark chocolate chips, or add chopped nuts for a different flavor and texture.
- → What is the ideal air fryer temperature and time for these cookies?
Preheat to 320°F (160°C) and air-fry the dough balls for 7–8 minutes until edges are golden.
- → How can I make a vegan version of these treats?
Use plant-based butter and a flaxseed egg substitute to maintain texture and flavor without animal products.
- → Should cookies be cooled before removing from the basket?
Allow cookies to cool in the basket for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.