Looking for a quick and easy peanut butter cookie recipe made right in your air fryer? These soft-baked, nutty cookies come together in just minutes with only 3 simple ingredients – peanut butter, sugar, and an egg.
Baked at a high heat, they develop the signature crispy edges and fudgy centers of a classic peanut butter cookie, no oven required!
Whether you prefer them on the soft side or with a bit more crunch, you can adapt this recipe to suit your tastes. Chocolate chips, cinnamon, lemon zest, and other mix-ins take these simple cookies over the top.
So if you’re craving a warm, freshly baked peanut butter cookie, why wait for the oven when you can satisfy the craving in a fraction of the time with your air fryer? Read on for the full quick recipe, helpful tips for air frying perfection, and fun variations to make this classic your new go-to treat!
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
So Simple, Yet So Good- These cookies take simple ingredients and turn them into something magical with almost no effort on your part. Just mix and scoop – your air fryer does the rest! You’ll be amazed that peanut butter, sugar and an egg can create these melt-in-your-mouth treats.
Crispy Outside, Soft Inside- The air fryer gives these cookies a delightfully crispy outside while keeping the inside soft, gooey and irresistible. The temperature contrasts create a blissful experience for your tastebuds!
So Simple to Make- This recipe comes together in just minutes with a handful of ingredients you likely have on hand. Even novice bakers will impress themselves with how easy yet scrumptious these air fried cookies turn out. Give them a try – we bet you’ll make them weekly!
✨ Recipe Ingredients
For this peanut butter cookies air fryer recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup Peanut Butter (natural)
- 1 Egg (large)
- 1 cup Granulated White Sugar
👨🍳 How To Make
Easily air fry peanut butter cookies with this simple recipe:
Step 1
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
Step 2
Mix the peanut butter with the sugar and egg in a mixing bowl.
Step 3
Using a cookie scoop, scoop the dough onto the parchment paper. You can use a fork or a knife to create marks on the cookies.
Step 4
Air fry for about 5 minutes at 400F (200C). They should turn a light golden color when they are done.
Remove from the air fryer and let them cool for 10 minutes before serving. That’s it! Enjoy these tasty air fryer peanut butter cookies!
💡Tips
1. Don’t Overcook
It’s easy to quickly dry out or burn air fried items, so set a timer and don’t overcook. These cookies take only around 5 minutes at 400°F. Check at 4 minutes, then frequently watch the last 1-2 minutes.
Remove immediately once edges are set and golden brown. They’ll firm up more as they cool. Overbaking makes them rock hard instead of delightfully chewy.
2. Allow Proper Cooling
Have patience and allow the cookies to cool on the tray for the full recommended 10 minutes before touching or serving. This gives the interior structure time to set up.
If you dig in too quickly, they’ll fall apart or crumble, especially if overbaked. Once cooled, they have the perfect crispy edge and fudgy center for the ideal peanut butter cookie experience.
3. Achieving the Perfect Texture
The texture of your cookies can be a personal preference, but here are some tips to achieve your desired outcome:
For Softer Cookies: Air fry for a shorter time, around 4 minutes. Let them cool completely in the air fryer basket before removing, as they will firm up.
For Crispier Cookies: Extend the air frying time by 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn them.
Cooling: Let the cookies cool for at least 10 minutes. They might seem soft initially but will harden as they cool.
4. Flavor Enhancements
While the basic recipe is delicious, consider these additions to elevate your cookies:
Vanilla Extract: A teaspoon of vanilla extract can add depth to the flavor.
Chocolate Chips or Chunks: For a classic combination, mix in some chocolate chips or chunks.
Spices: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can add warmth to the flavor profile.
Lemon Zest: For a unique twist, add a bit of lemon zest.
5. Try Different Peanut Butter Types
While the recipe calls for regular natural peanut butter, you can try using creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter to add different textures to your cookies.
You can even try using flavored peanut butter like chocolate or cinnamon for a unique twist on a classic recipe.
Variations
1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies: For a delicious twist on the classic peanut butter cookie recipe, try adding chocolate chips to the dough. Simply fold in a cup of semisweet chocolate chips before scooping the dough onto the parchment paper.
Air fry the cookies as usual and enjoy the delicious combination of peanut butter and chocolate in every bite.
2. Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies: If you’re a fan of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, then you’ll love these peanut butter and jelly cookies.
To make them, follow the original recipe but add a dollop of your favorite jelly or jam on top of each cookie before baking. Once the cookies are done, the jelly will have melted and created a delicious fruity layer on top of the peanut butter cookie.
3. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies: Try adding rolled oats to the dough. This will give the cookies a chewy texture and a nutty flavor that complements the peanut butter perfectly.
Simply fold in a cup of rolled oats before scooping the dough onto the parchment paper and air fry as usual.
4. Peanut Butter Banana Cookies: For a healthy twist on the classic peanut butter cookie recipe, try adding mashed banana to the dough.
This will give the cookies a natural sweetness and a soft texture that is perfect for snacking on. Simply mix one mashed banana into the dough before scooping onto the parchment paper and air fry as usual.
Keto / Low Carb Version
To make a keto and low carb version of this air fryer peanut butter cookie recipe, there are a few simple substitutions you can make:
Instead of regular white sugar, use a low carb sugar substitute like erythritol or monk fruit sweetener. This will drastically cut the carbs and sugar.
You can also replace the regular peanut butter with natural peanut butter or other nut butters like almond butter or sunflower seed butter. These tend to be lower in carbs than regular peanut butter.
Storage
To keep your cookies delicious after baking:
Storing: Store in an airtight container. They can last for up to a week.
Freezing Dough: You can freeze the dough balls and air fry them later.
Serving Warm: If you want to serve them warm later, just pop them back in the air fryer for a minute.
You’ll Love These Recipes Too
If you liked these air fryer peanut butter cookies, make sure to check out these great recipes too:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the best way to tell when the cookies are done in the air fryer?
The cookies are done when they turn a light golden color. It’s important to let them cool for about 10 minutes after removing them from the air fryer, as they will continue to firm up during cooling.
2. Can I make peanut butter cookie dough balls instead of scooping them?
Yes, you can absolutely make peanut butter cookie dough balls instead of scooping the cookies. Simply roll the completed peanut butter dough into balls using your hands or a cookie dough scoop, place on the lined air fryer basket, then lightly flatten them with a fork before air frying as directed.
3. Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth in this recipe?
Yes, crunchy peanut butter can be used as a substitute for smooth peanut butter. It will add extra texture to the cookies, but the overall flavor profile remains similar.
Store Bought vs Homemade Peanut Butter
When it comes to peanut butter, you can choose between the convenient store bought kind or make your own homemade version. Store bought peanut butter has the advantage of being readily available and requiring no preparation. However, homemade peanut butter has several advantages of its own.
Homemade peanut butter contains only peanuts and whatever additional ingredients you choose to add. This allows you to control the quality of ingredients and avoid additives like hydrogenated oils and excess sugar found in some commercial brands. Making your own also allows you to create customized flavors, like honey roasted or coconut peanut butter.
Another major advantage of homemade peanut butter is freshness. Since it’s made in small batches you can consume it within days of making it before the oils have a chance to oxidize and turn rancid, compared to the months of shelf life for store bought.
Making Homemade Peanut Butter
Simply toast raw peanuts in the oven. Allow to cool slightly then blitz in a food processor for several minutes until a smooth, creamy texture is reached. Add a pinch of salt if desired. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
While making your own takes more time and effort, for many it’s worth it for superior flavor and control over ingredients. Choosing between store bought and homemade comes down to deciding what’s more important – convenience or homemade quality.
These air fried peanut butter cookies are so easy to make and come out perfect every time. Crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, they satisfy any peanut butter cookie craving. Be sure to visit the website for more air fryer recipes and dessert ideas. Feel free to leave a comment below with any questions or customizations for this simple cookie recipe. Enjoy making these tasty peanut butter treats in your air fryer!
Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
- 1 cup Peanut Butter (natural)
- 1 Egg (large)
- 1 cup Granulated White Sugar
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
- Mix the peanut butter with the sugar and egg in a mixing bowl.
- Using a cookie scoop, scoop the dough onto the parchment paper. You can use a fork or a knife to create marks on the cookies.
- Air fry for about 5 minutes at 400F (200C). They should turn a light golden color when they are done. Remove from the air fryer and let them cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
