Scrumptious Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Crispy edges and soft centers define these delightful air fryer peanut butter cookies that promise pure comfort.

Baking enthusiasts will adore how quickly these treats come together with minimal fuss.

One bite transports you to a world of nutty, sweet bliss.

Simple ingredients dance together, creating magic in your compact kitchen appliance.

The aroma fills your space with warm, inviting scents that beckon everyone near.

No complicated techniques or expensive tools stand between you and cookie perfection.

Crunch into these irresistible morsels and savor the delectable magic waiting just moments away.

Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies That Are Crisp and Soft

• Create delicious cookies with only a handful of pantry staples, making it incredibly convenient for spontaneous baking.
• Engage children in a simple recipe that requires minimal steps and delivers tasty results, ideal for family bonding and cooking lessons.
• Enjoy a classic peanut butter cookie without the hassle of traditional oven baking, thanks to the air fryer's quick and efficient cooking method.

What You Need for Fast, Small-Batch PB Cookies

Main Ingredients:

Peanut Butter Base:- Peanut Butter, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Classic cookie base with rich, sweet flavor profile. Creamy peanut butter adds depth, while sugars provide sweetness and help create crisp edges.

Binding Ingredient:- Egg: Helps bind ingredients together and provides structure to the cookie. Fresh eggs work best for optimal texture.

Dry Ingredients:- All-Purpose Flour, Baking Soda, Salt: Foundational dry components that create cookie structure and balance flavors. Flour provides structure, baking soda helps cookies rise and spread, and salt enhances overall taste. Use fresh, sifted flour for best results.

Flavor Enhancer:- Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex background flavor to complement the peanut butter. Pure vanilla extract offers the most authentic taste.

How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Create Cookie Dough Base

• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Mix thoroughly until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 2: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

• Egg
• Vanilla extract

Stir vigorously until all ingredients are completely combined and uniform.

Step 3: Prepare Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix until a consistent dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 5: Shape Cookie Dough

Roll the dough into small, uniform balls using your hands. Gently press down on each ball with a fork to create a classic crisscross pattern.

Step 6: Prepare Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 300°F. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 7: Air Fry Cookies

Place cookie dough balls in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each cookie. Cook for 5-6 minutes until edges are golden brown.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Remove cookies from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes. The cookies will firm up as they cool.

Peanut Butter Cookie Variants to Test

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Option: Swap egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) and use coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of traditional sugars to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining cookie sweetness.
• Protein-Packed Variation: Mix in a scoop of vanilla protein powder to increase protein content and create a more nutritionally balanced cookie.

Tips for Browning and Doneness in Minutes

• Measure Precisely: Use level measuring cups for accurate sugar and flour quantities to ensure consistent cookie texture and taste.
• Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before air frying to prevent spreading and maintain a firmer shape.
• Fork Press Technique: Create classic crosshatch patterns by gently pressing a fork into cookie dough balls, which helps even cooking and adds traditional cookie appearance.
• Temperature Control: Set air fryer to 320°F to prevent burning and achieve perfectly golden-brown edges without overcooking the centers.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the same delicious peanut butter flavor.

Keep Air Fried Cookies Tasting Fresh

• Store leftover cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
• Remove frozen cookies and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying. Cookies will return to their soft, delicious texture.
• Warm cookies in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore their just-baked crispness and bring out the rich peanut butter flavor.

What to Serve with These Quick PB Cookies

• Creamy milk complements the rich, nutty peanut butter cookies perfectly, creating a smooth taste sensation.
• Serve alongside dark roast coffee, whose bold and slightly bitter notes beautifully balance the cookie's sweetness.
• Pair with vanilla bean ice cream, letting the cool, smooth texture melt against the warm, crispy air-fried cookie edges.
• Drizzle a touch of melted dark chocolate over the cookies, adding a luxurious depth that intensifies the peanut butter's natural richness.

Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

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

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Description

Peanut butter lovers rejoice with these irresistible air fryer peanut butter cookies that promise quick, crispy perfection. Crumbly, rich, and packed with nostalgic flavor, these cookies offer a delightful treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

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

Sugars:

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

Seasonings and Leavening:

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

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly cream together peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
2. Introduce the egg and vanilla extract, gently folding and stirring until completely integrated with the sugar-peanut butter base.
3. In a separate vessel, delicately combine flour, baking soda, and salt using a whisk, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
4. Gradually fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring meticulously to create a cohesive dough that holds together without crumbling.
5. Using clean hands or a cookie scoop, form the dough into uniform spheres, each approximately the size of a golf ball.
6. Gently press down on each cookie sphere with a fork, creating a classic crisscross pattern that provides both visual appeal and helps flatten the cookies.
7. Carefully arrange the shaped cookies in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are spaced apart to allow proper hot air circulation.
8. Configure the air fryer to 350°F and cook the cookies for 5-6 minutes, monitoring closely to prevent over-browning.
9. Once golden and slightly crisp around the edges, remove the cookies and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack, where they will continue to firm up.

Notes

• Swap traditional peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for nut-free alternatives perfect for allergy-sensitive diets.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before air frying to prevent spreading and maintain a thicker, chewier cookie texture.
• Use a fork to create classic crosshatch patterns, ensuring even cooking and that signature peanut butter cookie look in the air fryer.
• Reduce sugar by 25% if you prefer less sweetness, which works well without compromising the cookie’s overall structure and taste.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 119
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 75 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg