Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies (3 Ingredients!) - Career Girl Meets... (2024)

By Danielle Nieman

Tender, soft, and chewy, these 3-Ingredient Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies are DELICIOUS. And the recipe is quick and easy!

This post is all about how to make Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies.

There are many delicious advantages to making Peanut Butter Air Fryer Cookies! Not only do they make for a great gift, but they’re insanely tasty and only require three ingredients: peanut butter, sugar, and one egg.

If you don’t feel like making the whole batch, you can easily freeze the dough balls and pop a few in the air fryer whenever you crave a homemade cookie. Baking them in the air fryer has several bonuses, and you will never have to worry about burnt cookie bottoms again!

Since these cookies are small and tender, the air fryer offers consistency from a controlled baking environment. This device is your best bet if you prefer a super moist and tender cookie. However, if you want a crispier peanut butter cookie, you can bake them for a minute or two longer.

Quick, almost too easy, and incredibly delicious, these peanut butter cookies are perfect in every way. Check out the simple, step-by-step recipe below!

Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

Are Cookies Better In The Oven Or Air Fryer?

FYI, I tested this recipe in the oven and air fryer. The peanut butter cookies made in the air fryer were extra moist, tender, and evenly baked from top to bottom. While baking with an air fryer does require you to cook fewer cookies at a time, the results were more delicious and worth it!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Creamy Peanut Butter, 1 Cup

• White Granulated Sugar, 1 Cup

• Large Egg, 1

Equipment Needed:

• Air Fryer

• Parchment Paper

• Measuring Cup

• Mixing Bowl

• Stand or Hand Mixer

• Wire Cooling Rack

• Spatula

• Fork

What’s A Creative Way To Gift These Cookies?

My mom found these beautiful black and white gift boxes/baskets on Amazon! Each cardboard box comes with a classy black bow that ties to a quality plastic bag.

This recipe makes about 20 cookies, and the box was the perfect size. I lined the bottom with a couple of pieces of white paper doilies. You could also include a bottle of port wine if you wish!

How To Make Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies, Step-By-Step

Step 1: Add the three ingredients (peanut butter, sugar, and egg) to a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Using a stand or hand mixer, combine the ingredients thoroughly until incorporated and smooth. The cookie dough will be thick and slightly crumbly.

Step 3: Using your hands, roll the dough into dough balls, about one tablespoon of cookie dough per ball. You should get around 20 dough balls.

Criss-Cross Pattern Tip: Dip your fork in sugar for a perfect design.

Step 4: Place a liner into the air fryer basket or cut a circle of parchment paper to fit. Place about five dough balls into the basket, one inch apart.

Step 5: With the tines of a fork, slightly flatten each cookie ball, making a criss-cross pattern. Press down horizontally and then vertically for the criss-cross design.

Step 6: Set the air fryer to 350 degrees F and bake the cookies for 5 minutes for moist and tender cookies. After 5 minutes, remove the basket from the air fryer and allow the cookies to set for about three minutes before transferring them to the wire cooling rack. For crispier cookies, bake for 6 to 7 minutes.

Moist Cookie Tip: You may question whether the cookies are baked after five minutes because they will be SOFT, but I promise once they cool, you’ll have a round and moist baked cookie that’s absolutely delicious!

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Cookie Recipe:

• You Won’t Have To PREHEAT The Oven Or HEAT Your Home During The Summer Months.

• Air Fryers Are Quick & EASY To Use.

• You Can Make A FEW Cookies At A Time And STORE The Rest Of The Dough Balls In The Freezer.

FAQs & Variations For Easy Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies (3 Ingredients!)

Is It Safe To Bake Cookies In The Air Fryer?

Absolutely! You can use the air fryer for any cookie recipe, but you must adjust the baking times because the air fryer cooks faster than an oven.

What Brand Of Peanut Butter Should I Use?

You can use any brand of creamy peanut butter, but it’s recommended to AVOID natural peanut butter because it doesn’t have the same consistency.

Do You Have To Use Parchment Paper For Cookies In The Air Fryer?

I prefer to use parchment paper in the air fryer because it makes clean-up time go quicker and keeps it cleaner. However, you can use non-stick cooking spray if you prefer.

Why Do You Put Fork Marks On Peanut Butter Cookies?

Because peanut butter cookies are dense, the flattened criss-cross patterns are needed to help bake the cookies evenly.

Are 3-Ingredient (Air Fryer) Peanut Butter Cookies Healthy?

These cookies are healthier because they are flourless and higher in protein due to the peanut butter and egg components. Of course, they still contain sugar and some fat, so enjoy them in moderation.

How Long Should I Cook Peanut Butter Cookies In The Air Fryer?

For moist and soft cookies, bake them at 350 degrees F in the air fryer for five minutes. For a crispier treat, cook them for six to seven minutes.

What’s In The 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe?

Four-Ingredient peanut butter cookies call for peanut butter, one egg, sugar, and vanilla extract.

How Can You Tell When The Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Are Done?

The cookies should be golden brown around the edges and look soft in the center.

How Should I Store These Peanut Butter Cookies?

Store them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to five days.

Can You Freeze Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies?

Yes! I recommend freezing the dough balls and baking them fresh when craving a last-minute snack. Of course, you can also freeze the cookies after they have been baked. Store the cookies or dough balls in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to three months.

What Variations Could I Add To This Cookie Recipe?

You could add chocolate chips to this recipe for a different variation. I recommend using 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips.

Final Thoughts On Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

These 3-Ingredient Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies are the perfect homemade treat and are so simple to make! Baking them in the air fryer versus the oven ensures they are extra moist and tender. You can even freeze some of the dough balls to bake later for a delicious, last-minute snack.

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4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos

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