Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my latest baking obsession – these insanely good air fryer Nutella cookies! I was skeptical at first – cookies in an air fryer? But trust me, once you try these rich, chocolatey treats with their gooey Nutella centers, you’ll be hooked just like I am. They come together so fast (seriously, we’re talking less than 10 minutes cook time!) and make your kitchen smell like a fancy bakery. My kids now beg for “Mom’s magic cookies” every weekend. The best part? That moment when you bite into the warm cookie and the silky Nutella filling just oozes out. Absolute heaven! And cleanup? A breeze compared to firing up my big oven. These little cookies have become my secret weapon for last-minute dessert cravings and unexpected guests.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Nutella Cookies
Oh, where do I even start? These cookies are like little bites of happiness, and here’s why they’re about to become your new favorite treat:
- Lightning-fast: From dough to done in under 10 minutes – perfect for sudden chocolate emergencies
- That magical Nutella center: Each bite delivers that heavenly hazelnut-chocolate ooze
- No oven required: Your air fryer does all the work, so no heating up the whole kitchen
- Easy cleanup: Just wipe out the basket – no messy cookie sheets to scrub
- Impressively fancy: They look and taste gourmet, but require zero baking skills
Seriously, once you try these, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. My neighbor still doesn’t believe they’re homemade and not from some fancy bakery!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Nutella Cookies
Okay, friends, let’s talk ingredients – because the magic starts here! I’ve made these cookies enough times to know exactly what works (and what doesn’t). Here’s everything you’ll need to create that perfect chocolatey, gooey goodness:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour – The trusty foundation of our cookie dreams
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder – Use the good stuff for that deep chocolate flavor
- 1/2 tsp baking soda – Our little rising helper
- 1/4 tsp salt – Just enough to make all the flavors pop
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened – I mean really soft – leave it out for an hour (butter should dent easily when poked)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar – For that perfect crisp edge
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar – Pack it in tight for extra moisture and richness
- 1 large egg – Room temperature is ideal here (just let it sit out with the butter)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – The secret flavor booster
- 1/2 cup Nutella – The star of the show! Measure this first so you don’t “accidentally” eat half the jar with a spoon while baking (not that I’ve ever done that…)
Pro tip from my many (many!) test batches: Measure your flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling it off – packing it down gives you dry cookies, and nobody wants that!
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry – you probably already have most of this stuff in your kitchen! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these heavenly cookies:
- Mixing bowls (one big, one medium)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Hand mixer or sturdy whisk
- Rubber spatula (for scraping every last bit of dough – no waste!)
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon (for perfect portions)
- Air fryer (of course!)
- Parchment paper or air fryer liners (optional but helpful)
That’s it! No fancy gadgets required – just basic baking tools and your trusty air fryer. Now let’s make some magic!
How to Make Air Fryer Nutella Cookies
Alright, let’s get to the fun part – making these little pockets of joy! I’ve broken it down into simple steps so even if you’re new to baking (or air frying), you’ll nail these cookies on your first try.
Preparing the Cookie Dough
First things first – let’s make that chocolatey dough that’ll cradle our Nutella surprise. In your medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Trust me, taking time to whisk these dry ingredients well makes all the difference in texture.
Now grab your big bowl and let’s cream that butter and sugars together until it’s light and fluffy – about 2 minutes with a hand mixer on medium. This is when I usually let my kids help because they love watching the mixture turn creamy. Beat in the egg and vanilla until just combined – don’t overmix here!
Here’s the important part: gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until no flour streaks remain. The dough will be thick and fudgy – exactly what we want! Now pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes. I know waiting is hard, but this chill time makes the dough so much easier to work with.
Adding the Nutella Filling
While your dough chills, scoop your Nutella into little teaspoon-sized dollops onto parchment paper. I make about 12 – one for each cookie. Pop these in the freezer for 10 minutes – this keeps the filling from oozing out too much during baking.
When your dough is ready, scoop out about 1.5 tablespoons per cookie (I use my trusty cookie scoop). Flatten each scoop slightly in your palm, then press one of those frozen Nutella dollops right in the center. Carefully fold the edges up and around to completely encase the Nutella, then gently roll between your palms to smooth it out. If you see any cracks, just pinch them closed – we want that molten center to stay put!
Cook in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for about 3 minutes while you finish shaping cookies. Place 4-5 cookies in the basket at a time – don’t crowd them! They’ll puff up as they bake. I learned this the hard way when my first batch came out as one giant cookie blob (still delicious, but not pretty).
Cook for 8-10 minutes – start checking at 8 minutes. You want them set around the edges but still soft in the center. They’ll firm up as they cool. Use a spatula to carefully transfer them to a wire rack – they’re fragile when hot but will set perfectly as they cool. Resist eating them immediately (I never do) – that Nutella center is like molten lava straight from the air fryer! If you enjoy quick desserts like this, you might also love these air fryer chocolate lava cakes.
Pro tip: Let the air fryer basket cool slightly between batches for more even cooking. And if you’re making a big batch, keep the remaining dough chilled until ready to use. Happy baking!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Nutella Cookies
After making these cookies more times than I can count (my waistline can confirm!), I’ve learned some tricks to guarantee perfect results every time:
- Don’t skip the chill time – I know it’s tempting, but that 30 minutes in the fridge makes the dough so much easier to handle and prevents flat, spread-out cookies
- Size matters – If you make bigger cookies, add 1-2 minutes to the cook time. Smaller ones might be done in just 6-7 minutes
- Freeze that Nutella – Those 10 minutes in the freezer make all the difference in keeping the filling centered instead of leaking out
- Basket space is precious – Leave at least 1 inch between cookies – they expand more than you’d expect!
- Peek carefully – If checking doneness, open the air fryer quickly so you don’t lose too much heat
Trust me – follow these simple tips, and you’ll get bakery-worthy cookies with that perfect molten center every single time! For more quick air fryer treats, check out these air fryer churro bites.
Variations and Substitutions
Oh, the fun you can have with these cookies! While the classic Nutella version is perfection, sometimes you gotta mix it up. Here are my favorite twists:
- Peanut butter swap: Use creamy PB instead of Nutella for that classic chocolate-PB combo (my husband’s favorite!)
- Nutty crunch: Fold 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts or walnuts into the dough for texture
- Double chocolate: Toss in 1/3 cup chocolate chips with the dry ingredients – because more chocolate is always better
- Minty fresh: Add 1/2 tsp peppermint extract to the dough and use mint chocolate spread instead of Nutella
- Dairy-free: Substitute vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate spread – still crazy delicious!
The beauty of this recipe? It’s like a blank canvas for your chocolatey dreams. Have fun experimenting! If you are interested in the science behind why chilling dough helps prevent spreading, you can read more about cookie science here.
Serving and Storing Air Fryer Nutella Cookies
Oh, the joy of serving these warm cookies! I always let them cool just enough so we don’t burn our tongues (though my kids never listen). That first bite when they’re still slightly warm and the Nutella is gloriously gooey? Absolute perfection. If you have leftovers (unlikely in my house!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Want to recapture that fresh-baked magic? Just pop a cookie back in the air fryer at 300°F for 1 minute – it’ll taste like it just came out of the basket! For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies between layers of parchment for up to 2 months.
Nutritional Information
Just so you know what you’re indulging in (not that we’re counting when it comes to Nutella!), here’s the scoop per cookie. Keep in mind these are estimates – your actual nutrition may vary slightly based on exact ingredients and cookie size:
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 9g (5g saturated)
- Carbs: 23g
- Sugar: 15g
- Protein: 2g
Totally worth every delicious bite if you ask me! Now go enjoy that chocolatey goodness guilt-free. If you are looking for another easy air fryer dessert, try these air fryer donut holes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 a different filling? Absolutely! Peanut butter, cookie butter, or even caramel all work beautifully. Just keep the amount about the same (1/2 cup total) and freeze it first.
Why do my cookies stick to the basket? A quick spritz of cooking spray or using parchment liners prevents sticking. Also, make sure your cookies are fully cooled before removing – they firm up as they set.
Can I make the dough ahead? Definitely! The dough keeps covered in the fridge for 2 days, or freeze the shaped dough balls for up to a month. Just add a minute or two to the cook time if baking from frozen.
How do I know when they’re done? The edges should look set, but the centers will still be soft. They’ll firm up perfectly as they cool – promise!
Print
10-Minute Air Fryer Nutella Cookies with Gooey Center
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy and delicious air fryer cookies with a rich Nutella filling
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup Nutella
Instructions
- Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl
- Cream butter and sugars until fluffy
- Beat in egg and vanilla
- Gradually add dry ingredients
- Chill dough for 30 minutes
- Scoop dough and press Nutella into center
- Seal dough around filling
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F
- Cook for 8-10 minutes
- Let cool before serving
Notes
- Chill dough for easier handling
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket
- Adjust cooking time based on cookie size
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American