My air fryer sugar cookies from scratch are quick and easy to make. Learn how long to air fry sugar cookies, the best temperature for baking them, and get a few helpful tips along the way. You’ll love how delicious these small batch sugar cookies turn out. They might even become a regular treat in your home whenever a sweet craving hits.
This air fryer sugar cookie recipe is pretty basic, and that’s part of the appeal. These are simple cut-out cookies, similar to the sugar cookie rolls you find at the store. They’re a bit like a cross between shortbread and classic sugar cookies, rather than a soft cookie that spreads as it bakes.
What’s so great about this sugar cookie air fryer recipe, in my humble opinion, is how customizable it is. Try swapping the vanilla for lemon or almond extract. You can also stir chocolate chips, M&M’s, or Reese’s Pieces into the dough for a fun twist.
Another idea is to cut the air fried sugar cookies into shapes and decorate them with frosting and sprinkles for different holidays. Why not? They’re all yours to customize.
Enjoy! 🙂
🛒 Air Fryer Sugar Cookies Ingredients
To make sugar cookies in the air fryer, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 150 grams white flour (about 1¼ cups)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 8 tablespoons butter, softened
- 72 grams white granulated sugar (about 6 tablespoons)
- 1 large egg white
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Frosting and sprinkles (optional)
Get a printable recipe card below.
Everyone has their own way of making sugar cookies. For example, the Betty Crocker sugar cookie recipe uses powdered sugar instead of granulated.
If you’d like to add a little whole grain flour for extra fiber, substitute 60 grams of the white flour with whole wheat or spelt flour. (Using all whole grain flour in this recipe makes it taste a little too healthy, and not in a good way IMHO.)
I’ve made these air fryer cookies without brown sugar. You could even turn them into air fryer sugar free cookies by swapping the white sugar for Swerve granular. This is one of the easiest ways to make sugar cookies without sugar while still getting delicious results that are lower in calories and carbs.
I originally tested this recipe with an allulose sweetener that was supposed to replace sugar at a 1:1 ratio. However, it wasn’t as sweet as sugar the way Swerve is. For that reason, I recommend sticking with Swerve or regular table sugar for this recipe.
Keep in mind that cooking times can vary between air fryer brands. Check the air fryer basket early whenever you try a new air fryer recipe so you don’t accidentally burn anything if your appliance cooks faster.
Aside from an air fryer, you’ll also need a few basic cookie tools:
- Food scale
- Electric mixer
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper
- Cookie cutters
We’re weighing the dry ingredients in this recipe, which helps give you more consistent baking results.
🍪 How to Make Air Fryer Sugar Cookies
In a small bowl, mix the flour and baking powder together.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2–3 minutes.
Add the egg white and vanilla to the butter mixture and mix until combined.
Next, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Use the electric mixer to mix everything together into a cohesive dough. This will take 1-2 more minutes.
Chef’s Tip
I didn’t chill the dough because these cookies don’t spread much. If your dough feels sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 15–30 minutes.
Dough that is too cold can crack when rolled. If this happens, simply pinch the cracks together and let the dough warm up at room temperature for a few minutes.
Once the dough is ready, you can shape the cookies. Roll the dough into a log and slice it into circles, or use cookie cutters.
To use cookie cutters, roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper until it is about ¼–½ inch thick (0.64–1.27 cm). Since these cookies don’t spread much, make sure the dough is rolled to the thickness you want.
Remove the top sheet of parchment paper and cut the dough into shapes. I used heart shapes about 2 inches in diameter (5 cm). Shapes with very thin sections, like stars, may brown less evenly.
After the cookies are cut, place a few in your air fryer basket or tray. I could fit 4-5 cookies on a tray.
⏲️ Cooking Time and Temperature
How long to air fry sugar cookies from scratch? What temperature to air fry homemade sugar cookies? Air fry sugar cookies for a total of 5-6 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200C). Use the top rack position if you have an air fryer oven.
This recipe makes about 10 cookies, so you’ll likely cook them in two batches. Because the air fryer is already hot after the first batch, you may want to check the second batch about a minute earlier. Some air fryers brown cookies more than others, but they all taste great.
Once the cookies are finished cooking, let them cool for a few minutes before lifting them off the tray. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
After about 10 minutes, you should be able to gently lift them off with your fingers. If they stick, use a spatula to loosen them. Allow the cookies to fully cool before decorating with frosting and sprinkles.
And there you have it… sugar cookies without an oven!
😋 Tips for the Best Sugar Cookies
Want the best results with air fryer sugar cookies? Try cutting them into seasonal shapes with cookie cutters. Pumpkins are great for Halloween, and Christmas trees work perfectly for the holidays.
You can also have fun decorating them. For clean frosting edges, pipe frosting around the outside of the cookie first, then fill in the center. After frosting the cookies, try topping them with:
- Colorful sprinkles (AKA jimmies)
- Crushed candy bars
- Jellybeans
You can also decorate them with nuts, seeds, dried cherries, or other toppings if you want something a little different.
How to Store Air Fryer Sugar Cookies
Air fryer sugar cookies will keep in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. They also freeze well. Store them in the freezer in freezer bags with the air pressed out.
Air Fryer Sugar Cookies (from Scratch Recipe)
My air fryer sugar cookies from scratch are quick and easy to make.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 164 kcal
Please leave a comment below 😊
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Weigh the dry ingredients using a food scale. Mix together the flour and baking powder in a small bowl.
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In a large bowl, beat the butter and sweetener with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. It will take about 2-3 minutes.
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Add the egg white and vanilla to the butter mixture in the bowl. Mix until combined.
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Next, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Use the electric mixer to mix everything together into a cohesive dough. This will take 1-2 more minutes.
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To shape the cookies, either roll the dough into a log and cut it into circles or use cookie cutters.
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To use cookie cutters, roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper until it is about ¼–½ inch thick (0.64–1.27 cm). Remove the top parchment sheet and cut them into cookies. I cut hearts that are about 2 inches in diameter (5 cm). If you cut shapes with very thin sections (like stars), there’s a higher risk the cookies won’t brown evenly.
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Put 4-5 cookies on your air fryer tray. Air fry for 5-6 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Use the top rack position if you have an air fryer oven.
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This recipe makes about 10 cookies, so I had to air fry them in two batches. Since the air fryer is essentially preheated after cooking the first batch, you may want to take the second batch out 1 minute early.
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Let the cookies cool a few minutes before carefully lifting them from the air fryer tray. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool. If the cookies are sticking a bit, use a spatula to help release them. After cooling and chilling, you can decorate them with frosting and sprinkles if you wish.
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). I’m still waiting for someone to invent cookies that make it easy to stop after just one. (And no, I’m not talking about “healthy” cookies that don’t really taste like cookies.)
That’s one reason I like this small batch sugar cookie recipe. It satisfies a sweet craving without leaving dozens of cookies sitting around. I can enjoy a cookie or two, freeze the rest for later, and move right back into my usual routine. It’s a simple way to enjoy an occasional treat without making a big batch. 🙂
Nutrition information is for one cookie without frosting or other toppings.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Calories: 164kcalCarbohydrates: 18.3gProtein: 2.4gFat: 9.1gSaturated Fat: 5.6gFiber: 0.5gVitamin A: 6.4% DVIron: 3% DV
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FAQs
How to make Pillsbury sugar cookies in the air fryer?
To make air fryer Pillsbury sugar cookies, bake for about 8 minutes in an air fryer set to 350F (177C). Use the top rack if you have an air fryer oven. Let the cookies cool before lifting from the air fryer rack; they’ll firm up more.
How to make sugar cookies from scratch without baking powder?
The egg provides a little leavening in cookie recipes, but it may not completely replace the baking powder. One good substitute for baking powder uses baking soda. For each teaspoon of baking powder in the recipe, use ¼ teaspoon baking soda plus ½ teaspoon cream of tartar.
How to make air fryer vegan cookies?
For vegan air fryer cookies, you need to make a sugar cookie recipe without butter. Use a vegan butter stick or vegan-friendly margarine as a 1:1 butter substitute. You will also need to use an egg replacer for the egg white in this recipe.
Should you use parchment paper in an air fryer?
Parchment paper is safe to use in the air fryer. However, do not use parchment paper under the cookies in this recipe. The paper blocks the air flow in the air fryer, leaving the bottom of the cookies doughy.
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
