Oh my gosh, you have to try these Air Fryer Christmas Cookies! I discovered this method last year when my oven decided to quit right before our annual cookie exchange. Panic turned to joy when I realized my air fryer could whip up crispy, golden cookies in half the time. Now it’s my go-to for holiday baking madness.
There’s something magical about watching those festive little cookies puff up through the air fryer window. The scent of vanilla and butter fills the kitchen faster than you can say “Santa’s coming!” And the best part? No waiting for the oven to preheat while impatient kiddos (or let’s be honest – adults) hover nearby begging for samples.
These aren’t just any cookies – they’re my new holiday tradition. The air fryer gives them this perfect crisp edge with a slightly chewy center that makes them irresistible. I love how the sprinkles stay vibrant too – no sad, melted decorations here! Trust me, once you try baking cookies this way, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with the oven.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Christmas Cookies
Let me count the ways these cookies will become your new holiday obsession:
- Lightning fast: Done in under 10 minutes – no more babysitting oven trays!
- Perfect crunch: That magical air fryer crispiness makes every bite irresistible
- Holiday magic: The sprinkles stay bright and cheerful (no sad, melted blobs)
- Small batch friendly: Whip up just a dozen when cravings strike
- No oven required: Free up your kitchen for other holiday cooking
Seriously, I made three batches last December just for “testing” – that’s how addictive these are! If you enjoy quick baking, you might also love these quick air fryer cinnamon rolls.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Christmas Cookies
Gather these simple ingredients – you probably have most in your pantry already! I always use real butter (never margarine) for that rich holiday flavor. The sprinkles are non-negotiable in our house – my kids insist on testing every color combination before we bake! If you are looking for more air fryer inspiration, check out our Pinterest board for more ideas.
- Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened (that’s 1 stick)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- For Decorating:
- Holiday sprinkles (we use the jimmies – they don’t melt weird!)
Pro tip: If your butter’s rock hard, microwave it for 5-second bursts until it gives slightly when pressed. Too soft and your cookies will spread like Santa’s belly after Christmas dinner!
How to Make Air Fryer Christmas Cookies
Okay, let’s get baking! I promise these come together faster than you can wrap presents. First things first – plug in that air fryer and let it preheat to 350°F while you mix the dough. That little warm-up makes all the difference for perfect cookies.
- Mix the dry team: Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. No need to sift – just make sure there aren’t any flour lumps hiding!
- Cream the butter magic: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until fluffy. I use a hand mixer for about 2 minutes – you’ll know it’s ready when it looks like pale yellow clouds.
- Bring in the wet crew: Beat in the egg and vanilla until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides – those sneaky bits of butter love to hide there.
- Marry the mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until combined. The dough should pull away from the sides – if it sticks to your fingers, pop it in the fridge for 20 minutes.
- Shape with love: Roll tablespoon-sized balls (I use my trusty #40 scoop) and gently flatten them slightly. They’ll puff up beautifully in the air fryer!
- Air fry to perfection: Arrange cookies in a single layer with space between them – I fit about 6 at a time. Cook for 6 minutes, then peek. They’re done when the edges turn golden but centers still look slightly soft.
- Sprinkle the joy: Immediately decorate with sprinkles – they’ll stick perfectly to the warm cookies. Let cool for 2 minutes on the tray before transferring.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Cookies
Here’s my hard-earned wisdom after many (many!) batches:
- Rotate halfway: If your air fryer cooks unevenly, give the basket a gentle shake at the 4-minute mark.
- Watch closely: All air fryers run differently – start checking at 5 minutes to prevent overbrowning.
- Parchment is your friend: Use a round of parchment in the basket if cookies stick (just don’t block airflow).
- Cool completely: Resist sneaking a bite too soon – they firm up as they cool!
Decorating Your Air Fryer Christmas Cookies
Here’s where the holiday magic really happens! The absolute best time to decorate is when the cookies are fresh out of the air fryer – still warm enough to make sprinkles stick like glitter to wrapping paper. My kids go wild with this part – we do everything from classic red and green jimmies to edible glitter that makes them sparkle like snow.
For fancier gatherings, I’ll drizzle melted white chocolate in zigzags to mimic candy canes or pipe little royal icing holly leaves. But honestly? Sometimes simple is best – a dusting of powdered sugar makes them look like little snow-dusted Christmas villages. Pro tip: Set up decorating stations with small bowls of toppings – it keeps little fingers from dumping entire containers onto one lucky cookie!
Storing and Freezing Air Fryer Christmas Cookies
Here’s the scoop on keeping these cookies fresh – if they last that long! I store mine in an airtight container at room temperature with sheets of parchment between layers. They stay perfectly crisp for about 3 days this way (though in my house, they rarely make it past day two).
For longer storage, freeze the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to freezer bags. They’ll keep their holiday cheer for up to a month! When the craving hits, just pop frozen cookies straight into the air fryer at 300°F for 2 minutes – they’ll taste freshly baked all over again. If you like quick treats, try these glazed air fryer donut holes next.
FAQ About Air Fryer Christmas Cookies
I’ve gotten so many questions about these cookies since I started making them! Here are the ones that pop up most often:
Can I use cookie cutters with this dough?
Absolutely! Chill the dough for 30 minutes first so it holds shapes better. Roll it slightly thicker than usual (about 1/4 inch) since air fryer cookies don’t spread as much. Just be sure to space them well – the shapes will keep their details beautifully!
How do I prevent sticking without parchment paper?
A light spritz of cooking spray works wonders if you don’t have parchment. Or try my grandma’s trick – rub the basket with the butter wrapper for a thin, even coat. Either way, let cookies cool for a minute before removing – they firm up as they set. For savory air fryer snacks, check out these crispy mozzarella sticks.
Can I double this recipe?
You bet! The dough keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days (wrap it tight). I often make a big batch Friday night and bake fresh cookies all weekend. Just bring chilled dough to room temp for 10 minutes before shaping.
Why are my cookies browning unevenly?
Ah, the air fryer shuffle! Most models have hot spots – try rotating the basket halfway through. If they’re browning too fast, lower the temp to 325°F and add a minute. Every machine’s different – you’ll learn yours quickly!
Nutritional Information for Air Fryer Christmas Cookies
Okay, let’s be real – we’re not eating Christmas cookies for their health benefits! But if you’re curious (or tracking), here’s the scoop per cookie. Remember, these are estimates – your exact numbers might dance a bit depending on your ingredients.
- Calories: About 90 per cookie (totally worth it!)
- Fat: 4g (that’s the butter doing its delicious work)
- Carbs: 12g (mostly from that sweet, sweet sugar)
- Protein: Just 1g – but who’s counting?
Pro tip: The sprinkles add negligible nutrition but maximum holiday joy – and that’s what really matters this time of year!
More Holiday Treats to Try
Once you’ve fallen in love with air fryer cookies (trust me, you will!), you’ve gotta try these other festive favorites. My air fryer gingerbread men come out perfectly crisp with just the right chew – way better than oven-baked! And don’t even get me started on the peppermint bark cookies that taste like Christmas in every bite. The air fryer makes quick work of holiday treats like:
- Cinnamon sugar wreath cookies (so pretty on dessert trays!)
- Chocolate-dipped shortbread stars
- Eggnog-flavored thumbprints with nutmeg glaze
Honestly, I could air fry holiday treats all December long – and some years, I do! For more holiday inspiration, see our Pinterest page.
Print
Irresistible Air Fryer Christmas Cookies in Just 10 Minutes
- Total Time: 23 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make crispy Christmas cookies quickly with your air fryer. These festive treats are perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Holiday sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to form dough.
- Roll dough into small balls and flatten slightly.
- Place cookies in air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Air fry at 350°F for 6-8 minutes until edges turn golden.
- Decorate with sprinkles while warm.
Notes
- Dough can be chilled for 30 minutes if too sticky.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Let cookies cool completely before storing.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 8 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American