Name: Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
Prep time: 14 min
Cook time: 4 min
Ingredients: 1 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter; ¾ Cup Sugar; 1 Large Egg

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If you’re looking for an easy air fryer recipe, these 3-ingredient Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies are the best! A classic peanut butter cookie, but easier! Rich, decadent, and oh so sweet.

air fryer peanut butter cookies stacked on a board

The perfect dessert to quiet that peanut butter craving. I can’t wait to experiment with some other easy cookie recipes in the air fryer! I think this will officially be my new favorite way to make cookies. Yum!

Skip the oven and have homemade 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies in 8 minutes. Lightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. A sweet and decadently rich peanut butter treat.

It’s not hard to make air fryer peanut butter cookies, but if you want them to come out crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle, it takes a little more know-how. So, I decided to experiment with an air fryer instead of my oven!

These easy air fryer cookies are healthier than deep frying because less oil is needed. Plus, they are about 20% faster than baking or microwaving. These cookies came out perfect every time – crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle!

The best part? They taste just like traditional peanut butter cookies without all of the added ingredients!

3 ingredient air fryer peanut butter cookies

3-Ingredient peanut butter cookies have been a staple in households since I can remember. An easy to make cookie that is always a big hit. Making an easy cookie with just 3 ingredients just got a little easier and healthier with your air fryer.

air fryer peanut butter cookies on a wood board

Ingredients for cookies

It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this delicious recipe. Three to be exact! You can’t get any easier than that!

Creamy Peanut Butter
White Sugar
Egg

**See the recipe card at the end of the post for quantities.

Instructions for Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

Step 1:

Combine all three ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Mix until fully combined. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Step 2:

Using a 1 ½-inch cookie scoop, or heaping tablespoon, scoop the dough onto parchment paper. Using a fork, press the cookie flat, first one direction, then again from the opposite direction to make a crosshatch pattern on top.

Step 3:

Line the bottom of your air fryer with parchment paper. Be sure to not have extra parchment paper running up the side of the air fryer or it will get caught by the air and fold over the cookies.

Step 4:

Place as many cookies in your air fryer that will fit, while giving each cookie a half inch space. I was able to do about 4-6 at a time. Set your air fryer at 370 degrees and cook them for 4 minutes before letting them rest in the air fryer for 4 minutes.

Step 5:

Repeat until you’ve used up your batter.

What happens if you put a cookie in an air fryer?

You’ll notice that the outside of these air fryer peanut butter cookies will become slightly crispy while leaving the inside chewier than a traditional oven-baked peanut butter cookie recipe. In general, this is what happens to most cookie recipes made in the air fryer.

You might not be able to cook them in bigger batches like the oven, but you save so much cooking time, oven heating time, etc. that it’s still quicker.

Should peanut butter cookie dough be refrigerated before air frying?

Yes, peanut butter cookie dough should be refrigerated before baking. You’ll want to make sure the dough is firm enough to not expand too much when baking with an air fryer.

Place it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before placing it on top of parchment paper and into your air fryer.

How long will peanut butter cookies in the air fryer last?

Peanut butter cookies in the air fryer will stay fresh for up to a week when stored in an airtight container. You can also freeze leftovers and enjoy them throughout the month. However, just as with most desserts, PB cookies are the best straight out of the oven.

stack of air fryer peanut butter cookies on a board

Do I have to use parchment paper for these easy air fryer cookies?

Yes. Due to the breathing holes in the bottom of your air fryer, the cookies could seep through as the cooking process starts. No one wants to clean up that mess!

I don’t suggest using tin foil as it will cause your cookies too cook too quickly and unevenly. And never use wax paper as it will melt! Parchment paper is the best and only choice!

Tips:

It’s important that you do not skip the chilling step. The air fryer will make the cookies spread and be crumbly more than the oven. The chilling step keeps them from spreading too much and keeps them from being a crumbly mess when leaving the air fryer.
It’s also very important to not touch the cookies until they’ve set for a minimum of 4 minutes. This allows them to set up and not fall apart when removed from the air fryer.
I like to shape the parchment paper to the bottom of my air fryer, then pull it out and prepare my cookies on it. This way, I can just set the parchment paper back inside without having to set one cookie at a time inside the air fryer.
Each air fryer is a different shape. Mine allowed for 4-6 cookies at a time, but your shape might not allow that many, and it may allow for more. Just be sure to give enough space for the cookies to spread a bit and you’ll be good to go.
Putting more or less cookies doesn’t require you to adjust the cook time or rest time.
This cookie dough is very sticky, so it’s best to not get your hands involved in the scooping process and stick to a scoop or spoon.
Each air fryer has various cooking settings. If your air fryer doesn’t have a 370 degree setting, choose the closest step under it as opposed to over it.

Variations for your cookies

Add 1/2 cup of your favorite chips. Chocolate, butterscotch, white chocolate, even peanut butter!
Sprinkle crushed peanuts on top just after they are finished baking.
Add 1/3 cup crushed peanuts to your batter
Melt some milk or dark chocolate. Dip half the cookies in melted chocolate once they’ve cooled.
Make your favorite buttercream frosting. Or buy a store bought you like. Spread on one cookie, add another on top and make a cookie sandwich!

How to store cookies

You can store these peanut butter cookies in an airtight container or sealable bag. Store for 3-5 days. When you want a cookie place it on a plate in the microwave to warm for a couple of seconds.

Can you freeze peanut butter cookies in an air fryer?

Yes! Peanut butter cookie dough can be frozen for up to a month. Simply place individual cookies on a baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes before transferring to a freezer bag.

You can also freeze leftover air fryer peanut butter cookies to enjoy later. To defrost, simply allow the cookies to thaw overnight in your refrigerator before enjoying.

If you’re looking for a healthier and faster way to make peanut butter cookies, an air fryer is the way to go! These easy air fryer cookies come out perfect every time – crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle. Plus, they are about 20% faster than baking or microwaving. So if you’re looking for a delicious and easy cookie recipe, give this one a try!