The Best Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe Ever Made

Crispy edges and soft centers define these incredible air fryer peanut butter cookies that melt in you mouth.

Sweet memories of childhood baking flood back with every bite.

Neighbors will beg you for the secret recipe once they taste these delectable treats.

Quick and simple preparation means minimal kitchen time and maximum enjoyment.

Minimal ingredients combine to create maximum flavor in this surprisingly easy dessert.

Rich peanut butter notes shine through each golden, perfectly crisped cookie.

You cannot resist the temptation of these warm, fragrant delights fresh from the air fryer.

Grab a glass of cold milk and dive into pure cookie bliss.

Why Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Are A Hit

• Whip Up Quick Comfort: These air fryer peanut butter cookies deliver homemade warmth in just minutes, perfect for sudden sweet cravings without complicated steps.
• Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: Using basic pantry staples like peanut butter, sugar, and egg, you'll create a rich, classic cookie that tastes like grandma's recipe but takes half the time.
• Crispy Outside, Soft Inside Delight: The air fryer magic transforms simple dough into cookies with perfectly golden edges and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth center that keeps everyone coming back for more.
• Zero Fuss, Total Satisfaction: No mixer needed, just one bowl for wet ingredients and another for dry, making cleanup a breeze while still delivering bakery-quality treats that feel like a special homemade indulgence.

What Goes In Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

• Peanut Butter: Creamy base that gives rich, nutty flavor and helps bind the cookie together. Smooth, natural peanut butter works best for a classic taste.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet components that provide structure and caramelized depth. Light or dark brown sugar can be used based on preference.
• Egg: Adds moisture and helps bind ingredients. Fresh, room temperature egg recommended.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes. Pure vanilla extract preferred over artificial.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture to the cookies. Sifted flour helps prevent lumps.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread with a light, tender texture. Fresh baking soda ensures best results.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile. Fine sea salt or kosher salt work well.

• Chocolate Chips, Peanut Halves: Optional toppings for extra crunch and flavor complexity. Can be pressed into cookie tops before air frying.

Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Step By Step

Step 1: Mixing Wet Ingredients

• Creamy peanut butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Whip the ingredients until they become smooth and fully combined, creating a rich base for your cookies.

Step 2: Incorporating Egg and Flavor

• Egg
• Vanilla extract

Stir vigorously until the ingredients are completely integrated, ensuring a uniform consistency that will make your cookies deliciously moist.

Step 3: Creating the Cookie Dough

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing carefully until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.

Step 4: Shaping the Cookies

Roll the dough into small, even balls using your hands. Place each ball on a piece of parchment paper. Use a fork to create a classic crisscross pattern on top of each cookie, gently pressing down to flatten them slightly.

Step 5: Air Frying the Cookies

Preheat the air fryer to 300°F. Carefully place the cookies in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each one to allow for proper air circulation. Cook for 5-6 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

Step 6: Cooling and Serving

Remove the cookies from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool, developing a perfect crisp exterior and soft interior.

Best Tips For Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

• Prevent Sticking: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line with parchment paper to ensure easy cookie removal and quick cleanup.
• Check Consistency: Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and create perfectly round, compact cookies in the air fryer.
• Customize Sweetness: Reduce sugar by 2 tablespoons for a less sweet version or swap granulated sugar with coconut sugar for a more complex flavor profile.
• Mind the Size: Keep cookie dough balls uniform (about 1 tablespoon each) to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the batch.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.

Keep Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Soft And Tasty

• Refrigerate: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and delicious.
• Freeze: Seal cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container for maximum 3 months, preserving their soft texture and rich flavor.
• Reheat in Air Fryer: Warm cookies at 300°F for 2-3 minutes, restoring their original crispy edges and warm, gooey center.
• Room Temperature: Let frozen cookies thaw naturally for 30 minutes before enjoying, ensuring they return to their perfect, soft consistency.

Perfect Matches For Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

• Boost Sweet Comfort with Milk Pairing: Cold, creamy whole milk perfectly balances the rich, nutty flavor of these warm air fryer peanut butter cookies, creating a classic childhood-inspired combination that melts in your mouth.
• Complement Cookies with Coffee Companion: A smooth medium-roast coffee or cappuccano offers a robust counterpoint to the cookies' sweetness, enhancing the nutty undertones and providing a delightful afternoon treat.
• Elevate Dessert with Chocolate Twist: Serve alongside dark chocolate pieces or a small chocolate mousse to intensify the deep, nutty flavors and add a luxurious layer of complexity to your cookie experience.
• Match with Fruity Contrast: A small scoop of raspberry sorbet or fresh strawberries can cut through the richness of the peanut butter cookies, adding a refreshing and tangy dimension to each bite.

New Ideas For Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

• Classic Chocolate Chip Boost: Fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips into the cookie dough for a decadent chocolate-peanut butter combination that melts perfectly in the air fryer.
• Nutty Crunch Upgrade: Sprinkle chopped roasted almonds or pecans into the dough before forming cookies, adding extra texture and a rich, toasted flavor profile.
• Oatmeal Fusion Cookies: Mix in 1/2 cup of rolled oats to the original recipe, creating a heartier cookie with added fiber and a slightly chewy texture that complements the peanut butter.
• Salted Caramel Swirl: Drizzle homemade or store-bought caramel sauce over the cookies after air frying, then sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt for a sweet and salty gourmet touch.

Common Questions About Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

• Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter works great and adds extra texture to the cookies.

• Do I need to chill the dough before air frying?

No chilling is necessary for this recipe. You can form the cookies and air fry them immediately after mixing.

• How do I know when the cookies are done in the air fryer?

Look for lightly golden edges and a set center. They’ll be soft when first removed but will firm up as they cool.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not as written. To make it gluten-free, you’ll need to substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum.

Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 18 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent air fryer peanut butter cookies promise a quick, crispy delight that elevates classic comfort treats with modern kitchen magic. Crumbly, rich morsels deliver nostalgic sweetness you’ll savor in just minutes of effortless preparation.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 g) creamy peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour

Sweeteners:

• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar, packed

Seasonings and Leavening Agents:

• ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Blend creamy peanut butter with granulated and brown sugars in a large mixing bowl, whisking vigorously until the mixture becomes uniform and silky.
2. Introduce the egg and vanilla extract, thoroughly integrating them into the sugar-peanut butter base to create a glossy, cohesive mixture.
3. In a separate vessel, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt, ensuring no lumps remain.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, using gentle circular motions to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cookie texture.
5. Gently knead the dough until it comes together, being careful not to compact it too densely.
6. Shape the dough into uniform balls, approximately 1-inch in diameter, placing them on a clean surface.
7. Use a fork to create a classic crisscross pattern on each cookie, gently pressing down to flatten slightly.
8. Carefully transfer the cookies to the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other.
9. Air fry at the recommended temperature, monitoring closely to achieve a golden-brown edge and soft, chewy center.
10. Remove from the air fryer and allow cookies to cool on a wire rack, where they will continue to set and develop a delightful, crisp exterior.

Notes

• Adjust sugar levels based on your preferred sweetness, using less granulated sugar for a more subtle treat.
• Choose natural, creamy peanut butter for a smoother texture and healthier profile, avoiding brands with added oils or sugars.
• Create gluten-free cookies by substituting all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free baking blend for those with dietary restrictions.
• Use a fork to create classic crosshatch patterns on cookies before air frying, ensuring even cooking and a traditional cookie appearance.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg