Air Fryer Sugar Cookies

Air fryer sugar cookies are cooked to golden perfection, chewy and moist on the inside, and perfectly done on the outside. Cooking sugar cookies in the air fryer is an easy way to make one of the most classic cookies out there.

Sugar cookies have always been one of my favorite varieties of cookies. They’re just so good and so simple. They’re a no frills cookie that focuses on flavor rather than a lot of bells and whistles.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve made my fair share of fancy pants cookies, from monster cookies to cookies that seem to have everything but the kitchen sink in them. I’ve made all kinds of cookies, but my first and most passionate cookie love is sugar cookies.

I remember eating them as a kid, and I never lost my love for them.

When I got older and began to cook and bake for myself, sugar cookies were a staple in my recipe rotation. After I got married and had kids, I continued to make them for dessert, snacks, and even birthdays.

My husband and my son both loved my recipe, and I never altered it. Then I discovered the air fryer. What a game-changer! I began to take my signature sugar cookie recipe and make it in the air fryer.

What a difference! Making air fryer sugar cookies totally changed the way I look at sugar cookies, and I think it will change the way you look at them, too. They come out more perfectly than I ever thought possible, which is why I’m so glad to share the recipe with all of you.

The History of Sugar Cookies

Before we talk about this recipe, I want to take about how we got here. I love learning about food as much as I love eating it, so I want to take a brief look at the history of both the cookie and sugar cookies specifically.

Don’t worry, I’m not writing a treatise on cookies, but by the end of this section, you’ll have a bit more knowledge about these delicious, sweet treats.

Cookies

Most food historians believe that cookies have their beginnings in 7th century Persia, where they were believed to have been created shortly after the use of sugar became relatively common in the region.

From Persia, cookies made their way to Europe through the Muslim conquest of Spain. By the 14th century, the popularity of cookies had spread such that they were a common foodstuff found throughout society from royal families and the social elite to common street vendors.

At around that time, global travel was becoming widespread, and cookies made a natural food to bring along on journeys. They became the standard of travel food, at that time, a modern equivalent of travel cakes that had been used throughout history.

Cookies made their way to America via the Dutch settling in New Amsterdam in the late 1620s.

It wasn’t until the 18th century that the modern style of creaming butter and sugar as a base for cookies became common. After that, the rest, as they say, is history. This new, sweeter way of making cookies took the world by storm, and today, it’s the only thing we think of when we think of cookies.

Sugar Cookies

The majority of sugar cookies are made with sugar, flour, butter, eggs, vanilla, and either baking powder or baking soda. This type of cookie is believed to have first been made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania in the mid-1700s.

It was there that German Protestant settlers first created a round, crumbly, and buttery cookie that was originally known as the Nazareth cookie. Over time, the recipe for this cookie spread first throughout Pennsylvania and then, throughout the country.

Eventually, the undeniability of this cookie’s popularity led the Pillsbury company to make the first refrigerated sugar cookie dough.

Air Fryer Sugar Cookies

These air fryer sugar cookies are everything we love about sugar cookies, but they’re taken to the next level. By cooking them in the air fryer, we get a cookie that is perfectly brown on the outside and so soft and chewy on the inside.

In addition to being absolutely delicious, they’re also a breeze to make, making them the perfect cookie for everything from weeknight desserts and afternoon snacks to amazing potluck fare or holiday treats. Just one bite and everyone will be hooked!

Ingredients

As a sugar cookie recipe, it only takes a few ingredients to make this delicious recipe, and you won’t have to do any special shopping whatsoever to gather them up. That’s because the recipe is so simple that every single ingredient in it is a kitchen staple. You will absolutely have everything you need to make this recipe in your kitchen right this second if you do any amount of cooking at all. Here’s what you’ll need.

• 1 1⁄4 cups sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cream of tartar

What did I tell you? It’s a super simple list, isn’t it? Just seven ingredients that are all pantry basics are all it takes to make this classic recipe.

Making Air Fryer Sugar Cookies

Making these cookies is just as simple as gathering up all the ingredients. It’s a basic, simple dough recipe that requires very little effort. It’s mostly a matter of mixing and then placing the cookies in the air fryer. That’s it! Check out how incredibly simple this recipe really is.

• In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar and butter together.
• Add egg yolks and vanilla. Beat again.
• Add flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Beat again.
• Form dough into tablespoon size balls and flatten them gently.
• Place them in an air fryer basket lined with parchment paper 2 inches apart. You’ll be baking them in batches.
• Air fry at 350ºF for 7 minutes or until golden brown and slightly cracked on top.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is all there is to it. No special techniques. No tricky bakery shenanigans. Just mixing and air frying. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Tips

Although this is an incredibly easy recipe to make, there are a few things to remember to ensure you make the absolute best air fryer sugar cookies possible. While you can’t really wreck these cookies, you can make them even more delicious by following these tips, so don’t skip this section.

Fully Softened Butter

This recipe is all about the butter and sugar, which makes it vital that your butter is fully softened. Softened butter creams with sugar wonderfully to create that rich, sweet base to which everything else is added. If your butter isn’t fully softened, you’ll end up with a lumpy mix that has pieces of butter in it. This will affect both the taste and the flavor of the cookies.

Room Temperature Eggs

When baking, using room temperature eggs is the way to go. Cold eggs are more viscous, which makes it harder for them to incorporate into the batter and do their thing during baking. Room temperature eggs combine with the other ingredients more easily and create a better finished product.

Flatten the Cookie Dough

It’s important to remember to flatten your sugar cookie dough before air frying these cookies. Unlike other cookie doughs, sugar cookie dough doesn’t spread when it bakes, which means that if you want your cookies to be shaped like cookies, you have to flatten them.

Variations

This recipe is absolutely perfect just as it is. Because of that, I don’t recommend changing much of anything about it. If you want to do a little experimentation, there are only two things I would advise – lemon extract or frosting.

These cookies are delicious just as they are, but with a little lemon extract added, you get another layer of flavor that is super tasty, as well. Another great addition to sugar cookies that most people enjoy is a layer of frosting or icing. Don’t go too heavy if you decide to frost these cookies. Just add a thin layer. Don’t overpower the cookies.

Serving Air Fryer Sugar Cookies

Just like everything else about this recipe, serving these cookies is super easy. Just set them out on a plate and let everyone start grabbing. These cookies are perfect for afternoon snacks, after dinner desserts, pot lucks, or holiday get-togethers.

When served on a cute holiday-themed tray, they’re the absolute perfect Christmas treat. The only thing you’ll need is a glass of milk or a cup of coffee.

Storing Air Fryer Sugar Cookies

These cookies will keep well in an air-tight container for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze them in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to six months with no loss of flavor or quality. To defrost, simply place them in the refrigerator overnight and then let them come to room temperature on the counter.

Air Fryer Sugar Cookies – Easy and Delicious!

These air fryer sugar cookies are absolutely delicious, and they’re so easy to make. It only takes a few simple ingredients, and you’ve got everything you need to make one of the most classic cookies of all time.

They’re perfect for everything from afternoon snacks to holiday get-togethers and everything in between. Wherever or whenever you choose to serve them, they’re always a hit. With a recipe this good and this easy, there’s no reason not to make them.

Give them a try. You’ll be glad you did!