Air-Fryer Sugar Coated Sugar Cookies

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth, these air-fryer sugar coated sugar cookies are the perfect treat! With just a few simple ingredients and the convenience of an air fryer, you can enjoy warm, soft, and perfectly golden sugar cookies in no time. Coated in a sweet layer of sugar, these cookies are crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside—making them an irresistible snack for any occasion (aka a random Monday). Whether you’re baking for a special event or just want a homemade dessert, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite! I’ll probably be making these too often!

Reasons Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Easy: The air fryer speeds up the baking process, so you can enjoy fresh, homemade cookies in just minutes without turning on the oven.
• Crispy on the Outside, Soft on the Inside: The air fryer creates the perfect balance, giving you cookies with a crispy exterior and a melt-in-your-mouth soft center.
• No Need for an Oven: Perfect for hot days or when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen—just use the air fryer!
• Customizable Coating: You can easily adjust the amount of sugar or add your favorite toppings like cinnamon or sprinkles for extra flair.
• Perfect for Small Batches: Ideal for when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to bake a whole batch—just make a few cookies at a time!

Ingredients You’ll Need for these Air-Fryer Sugar Coated Sugar Cookies

• Butter (softened): Softened butter creates a smooth dough and helps give the cookies their tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
• Granulated sugar: The sugar adds sweetness and helps form the signature crispy, sugary coating on the cookies’ exterior. It’s also a key ingredient for making the dough light and tender.
• Egg: The egg helps bind the ingredients together and provides structure to the cookies, making them soft and chewy on the inside.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract adds a warm, comforting flavor that complements the sweetness of the sugar, creating a well-rounded taste in each bite.
• All-purpose flour: Flour is the main structure of the dough, giving the cookies their body and texture. All-purpose flour is perfect for achieving the right balance of chewiness and crispiness.
• Baking powder: Baking powder helps these air-fryer sugar coated sugar cookies rise slightly, giving them a soft and airy texture. It’s a key leavening agent that helps create the perfect cookie consistency.
• Salt: A small amount of salt balances the sweetness of the sugar and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

How Do You Make These Cookies?

• Cream the butter and sugar:
  Start by creaming together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric hand mixer. Beat them together for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. If your butter isn’t softened yet, simply microwave it for 10-15 seconds until it’s soft but not melted. The creaming process is crucial because it helps incorporate air into the dough, making the cookies tender and light.
• Add the egg and vanilla:
  Next, add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Continue mixing for another 1-2 minutes until everything is well combined. The egg provides structure to the cookies, while the vanilla extract enhances their flavor, giving them a warm, comforting aroma.

• Mix the dry ingredients:
  In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt. The baking powder will act as the leavening agent, ensuring the cookies rise slightly and become light and fluffy.
• Incorporate the dry ingredients:
  Gradually add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. It’s important to add the dry ingredients in stages to ensure everything is evenly incorporated and prevent any lumps in the dough.
• After the first half is mixed in, add the remaining dry ingredients and continue to mix until the dough comes together. If you need to use a spatula in the end to ensure everything is mixed in you can do so.
• Chill the dough:
  Now that your air-fryer sugar coated sugar cookies dough is ready, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough allows the butter to firm up, which helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and results in a chewier texture.

• Shape the cookies:
  After the dough has chilled, take small portions (about 1 tablespoon each) of dough and roll them between your hands into smooth balls. Once rolled, coat each dough ball in granulated sugar, ensuring it’s evenly covered. This gives the cookies their signature sugary exterior.
• Flatten the cookies:
  Place each sugar-coated dough ball onto a parchment-lined baking tray or directly into the air fryer basket. Use your fingers to slightly flatten each cookie. Flattening them just a bit helps them cook evenly and results in a nice crisp texture on the edges while keeping the center soft.

• Air fry the cookies:
  Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3-5 minutes. Once preheated, arrange the sugar-coated, flattened cookies in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure there’s enough space between them for the hot air to circulate. Air fry the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until they’re golden around the edges and slightly firm to the touch. Keep a close eye on them since air fryers can vary in cooking times.
• Cool the cookies:
  Once the air-fryer sugar coated sugar cookies are done, remove them from the air fryer basket and let them cool on the pan for a few minutes. This helps them firm up further. After cooling slightly, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Letting them cool on the wire rack ensures that the cookies retain their crispness on the outside while staying soft in the center.
• Enjoy:
  Once your cookies have cooled, they’re ready to enjoy! These air-fryer sugar coated sugar cookies are perfectly crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and sweet with just the right amount of sugary coating.

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Tips for Perfect Cookies:

• Chill the dough: Don’t skip the chilling step! It’s essential for creating a dough that’s easy to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
• Watch the air fryer: Keep a close eye on your cookies as they cook, as air fryers can vary in temperature and cooking times.
• Roll them in sugar: The sugar coating is what gives these cookies their classic sweet crunch. Don’t skimp on this step—it makes a big difference in the final result!

These air-fryer sugar coated sugar cookies are a simple and delicious way to bake cookies quickly without needing a full oven. They’re perfect for any occasion or when you need a sweet treat in a flash. Enjoy!

Storage Tips For These Air-Fryer Sugar Coated Sugar Cookies

• Room Temperature:
  Store your cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. This will keep them soft and prevent them from becoming too hard. Place a sheet of parchment paper between layers of cookies to avoid sticking.
• For Longer Freshness:
  If you’d like to keep them fresh for longer, you can add a slice of bread or a small piece of apple inside the container. This will help keep the cookies moist for an extra few days as they absorb moisture from the bread or fruit.
• Freezing:
  To keep your cookies fresh for even longer, you can freeze them. Simply place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe airtight container or a zip-top bag with parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together. Store them for up to 3 months. To thaw, just leave them at room temperature for a few hours or microwave them for about 10-15 seconds for a quick warm-up.
• Freezing the Dough:
  If you want to bake cookies later, you can freeze the dough! Roll the dough into balls, coat them in sugar, and freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer the air-fryer sugar coated sugar cookies dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, just pop the frozen dough balls into the air fryer (no need to thaw) and air fry for a few extra minutes.

Common FAQ’s Related to This Recipe

• Can I make these sugar cookies without putting them in an air fryer?
  • Yes! If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake these cookies in a conventional oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Make sure to space the cookies out on a baking sheet and watch them closely to avoid over-baking.
• Can I substitute the butter with something else?
  • You can substitute the butter with margarine or vegetable oil, but the flavor and texture may vary slightly. Butter gives the cookies a rich flavor and soft texture, so using margarine or oil will produce a slightly different result. For a dairy-free option, use a plant-based butter substitute.
• How do I know when the sugar cookies are done in the air fryer?
  • The cookies should be golden brown around the edges and slightly firm to the touch. They may appear soft in the center but will continue to firm up as they cool. It’s always a good idea to check the cookies after 8 minutes to prevent overcooking.
• Can I use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar?
  • Yes, you can use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for a more moist and flavorful cookie. The air-fryer sugar coated sugar cookies will have a slightly different texture and flavor with brown sugar, giving them a richer, caramel-like taste.
• Can I make the sugar cookie dough ahead of time?
  • Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This will allow the dough to firm up and make it easier to roll into cookie balls. You can also freeze the dough for longer storage (up to 3 months) and bake the cookies straight from frozen, adjusting the cooking time slightly.
• Why are my cookies spreading too much in the air fryer?
  • If your cookies spread too much, it might be because the dough wasn’t chilled long enough. Make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before shaping and baking. Chilled dough helps prevent excessive spreading during cooking.
• How do I prevent my cookies from sticking to the air fryer basket?
  • To prevent sticking, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper (make sure it fits and doesn’t block air circulation). Alternatively, you can lightly grease the basket with a non-stick spray or oil.
• Can I skip the sugar coating on the sugar cookies?
  • While the sugar coating gives the cookies their signature sweet crunch, you can skip it if you prefer a less sweet cookie. The cookies will still be delicious, though the texture and appearance will be different.

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