If you’ve been searching for the ultimate quick treat, Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies are about to become your new best friend. These cookies are irresistibly golden on the outside, perfectly chewy in the middle, and the best part? They’re ready in just minutes thanks to the air fryer! Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just craving a homemade sweet fix, this recipe delivers fresh-baked taste and gooey chocolatey goodness without heating up your whole kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need
Baking these Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies couldn’t be simpler, and it starts with a handful of classic ingredients you probably already have. Each one plays a special role in ensuring you get cookies that are rich in flavor, soft in texture, and loaded with melty chocolate throughout.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Gives the cookies their tender texture and rich, buttery flavor. Make sure it’s soft to blend smoothly with the sugar.
- Brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note, contributing to that perfect chewy bite.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Balances the brown sugar for a hint of crispness at the edges and just the right amount of sweetness.
- Large egg (1): Binds everything together and helps the cookies puff up while baking.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the flavors, giving your cookies that classic homemade aroma and taste.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups): The backbone of your dough, keeping the cookies structured but not heavy.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Ensures the cookies rise just enough and keeps them light.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): A little salt brings all the flavors into beautiful balance and keeps things from tasting flat.
- Chocolate chips (3/4 cup): The star of the show! Use your favorite—semi-sweet, milk, or even a mix for pockets of gooey chocolate in every bite.
How to Make Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars
Start by adding your softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar into a large mixing bowl. Beat the mixture until it’s light and fluffy—this step is key for getting those soft, pillowy cookies! Creaming the butter and sugar well gives your cookies the signature texture we all crave.
Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla
Once the butter and sugars look pale and airy, mix in your egg and vanilla extract. Beat until everything is smooth and combined. The egg helps create a cohesive, smooth dough and a dose of vanilla always makes cookies taste homemade.
Step 3: Stir in Dry Ingredients
Now it’s time to add the dry ingredients. Stir in your all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until a soft dough just comes together. Don’t overmix—stop as soon as there are no dry spots left to keep your cookies tender.
Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in those chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly distributed for maximum melty chocolate in every cookie. You can swap in your favorite chips or even add a handful of walnuts if you’re feeling adventurous.
Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer
Before baking, preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for 3 minutes. This ensures your cookies begin baking right away and turn out evenly browned every time. Use parchment paper to line your air fryer basket or tray so nothing sticks!
Step 6: Scoop, Flatten, and Air Fry
Scoop 1–2 tablespoon portions of dough and space them about 2 inches apart—they’ll spread a bit as they bake. Lightly flatten the tops with your palm or the back of a spoon for the best shape. Air fry the cookies in batches at 320°F for 6–8 minutes, depending on how soft or crispy you like them. The edges should be golden while the centers remain slightly underdone (they’ll firm up as they cool).
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let your Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies cool in the basket for 3–5 minutes—they’ll be delicate at first but set up beautifully. Then, transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling or sneak one while it’s still warm and gooey!
How to Serve Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies

Garnishes
For an extra-special touch, sprinkle a little flaky sea salt over your warm cookies as soon as they come out of the air fryer. You can also melt a bit of chocolate and drizzle it decoratively on top or dust them with powdered sugar for a sweet finish.
Side Dishes
You can never go wrong with the classic combo—serve your cookies with a tall glass of cold milk (regular or dairy-free). For a grown-up twist, try pairing them with espresso or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dreamy dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the cookies on a pretty plate for a cozy, casual offering or package them up in a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon for the cutest edible gift. If you’re entertaining, build an epic dessert board centered around Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies with fruit, chocolates, and nuts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They’ll stay deliciously soft, and a quick 10-second zap in the microwave will bring out that fresh-baked warmth.
Freezing
If you want to plan ahead, freeze the unbaked cookie dough in rounded scoops on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer the dough balls to a zip-top freezer bag. You can bake the cookies straight from frozen; just add a minute or two to the air fryer time. Baked cookies also freeze well—just let them cool completely before sealing and popping them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To revive your Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies with that just-baked magic, pop them back in the air fryer at 320°F for a minute or two or warm them in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. They’ll taste like they just came out of the oven!
FAQs
Can I use different types of chocolate chips in this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to use milk, dark, or white chocolate chips—or even a mix for layers of chocolatey flavor. Chopped chocolate bars work beautifully for extra gooey pockets as well.
Can I double the recipe?
You can easily double the recipe if you need more cookies. Just make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket and bake in batches for the best results.
What if I don’t have parchment paper?
If you don’t have parchment paper, you can use a silicone baking mat cut to fit your air fryer tray. Avoid using cooking spray, as it can make cookies spread too much and brown unevenly.
Why are my cookies coming out too dark on the bottom?
This can happen if the cookies are too close to the heating element or your air fryer runs hot. Try lowering the temperature by 10 degrees or placing a double layer of parchment paper underneath the cookies next time.
How do I make the cookies softer or crispier?
For softer Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies, air fry them closer to 6 minutes and let them finish setting as they cool. For crisper cookies, simply extend the cook time to 8 minutes—just keep an eye on them near the end!
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for a truly crowd-pleasing treat that’s fast, fun, and incredibly satisfying, give these Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies a go. The irresistible aroma and gooey bites of chocolate will win over everyone, every time. Share them with friends or keep them all to yourself—I won’t judge one bit!
Print
Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the deliciousness of homemade chocolate chip cookies made easy with an air fryer. These cookies are perfectly crispy on the outside and wonderfully gooey on the inside, making them a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until a soft dough forms. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for 3 minutes. Line the basket with parchment paper.
- Portion and Air Fry: Scoop portions of dough onto the parchment, flatten slightly, and air fry in batches for 6–8 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool in the basket before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Adjust baking time for desired cookie texture.
- Experiment with nuts or dark chocolate chips for flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg