Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Small-batch cookies, gooey in the middle, in minutes.
Before You Start
When you want just a few cookies, fast, the air fryer bakes a small batch in minutes without heating the whole oven. They come out soft and gooey in the centre with crisp edges. Great for a late-night craving.
Instructions
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Beat the butter and both sugars until creamy. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla.
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Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt to a soft dough, then fold in the chocolate chips.
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Roll into 8 balls. Line the air fryer basket with parchment and add a few balls at a time, well spaced.
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Preheat the air fryer to 160°C / 320°F. Air fry for 6 to 9 minutes until the edges are set but the centres still look soft.
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Let them firm up in the basket for 5 minutes before lifting out. They finish setting as they cool.
♨️ Air fryer notes
- Cook at 160°C / 320°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
💡 Cook's tips
- Bake at a lower temperature than the oven. The air fryer is intense, and high heat burns the edges before the middle cooks.
- Leave space between the cookies. They spread as they bake.
🔀 Make it your own
- Swap the chips for chopped chocolate and a pinch of flaky salt on top.
- Add chopped nuts or dried cranberries.
📦 Storing & reheating
Best warm. Store airtight for 3 days, or freeze the raw dough balls and air fry from frozen, adding a minute or two.
❓ Frequently asked
Why bake cookies at a lower temperature in the air fryer?
Air fryers cook fast and from close range. A lower 160°C lets the centres bake through before the edges catch and burn.
Do I need parchment?
It helps the soft dough lift out cleanly and stops it dripping through a mesh basket. Leave gaps so air still circulates.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
More air fryer recipes
A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.