Description
Enjoy perfectly soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies made effortlessly in your air fryer. This recipe allows you to freeze cookie dough balls for quick baking anytime, ensuring fresh, warm cookies in just minutes without heating up the oven.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 10 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Cream Butter & Sugars: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring proper aeration for tender cookies.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning agents.
- Mix Dry into Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips ensuring they are evenly incorporated throughout the dough.
- Form Dough Balls: Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough into balls. For a smoother surface, roll each scoop between your hands.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil or parchment paper to prevent sticking, making cleanup easier.
- Arrange Dough and Bake: Place cookie dough balls in the basket, spaced about 1 inch apart to allow spreading. Bake at 350°F for 5-6 minutes until the tops are golden brown yet the centers remain soft and chewy.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the basket from the air fryer and let cookies cool for 3-5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to set properly.
- Freeze Dough for Later Use: For future fresh cookies, scoop dough balls onto a parchment-lined sheet pan without spacing requirements. Freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
- Store Frozen Dough: Transfer the hardened dough balls to a labeled Ziploc bag and keep in the freezer ready for quick baking.
- Bake from Frozen: To bake frozen cookie dough balls, place them directly in the air fryer basket and bake at 350°F for 6-7 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; bake cookies in batches for even cooking.
- Line the basket with foil or parchment paper to prevent sticking but ensure proper airflow for baking.
- Cookies will be soft when removed from the fryer; allowing them to cool will help them firm up without overbaking.
- Freezing dough balls helps maintain freshness and convenience, allowing you to bake fresh cookies anytime.
- If using frozen dough, slightly increase baking time to ensure cookies are cooked thoroughly.
