Craving a warm, soft cookie but short on time? Discover the magic of making air fryer peanut butter cookies! Yes, you absolutely can bake raw cookie dough in your air fryer, and this recipe makes it incredibly easy to achieve perfectly soft, chewy, or even crispy cookies. What’s more, these aren’t just any peanut butter cookies; they’re secretly healthy, crafted without butter or refined sugar. This means they are naturally keto-friendly, low-carb, and gluten-free, catering to a variety of dietary needs without compromising on flavor.

Forget the long preheating times and extensive cleanup typically associated with baking. Our simple 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies air fryer recipe is a true game-changer. It leverages the efficiency of your air fryer to deliver delightful treats in a fraction of the time, making it perfect for an impromptu snack, a quick dessert after dinner, or when you need to whip up something sweet for unexpected guests. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with these unbelievably easy and satisfying cookies!

⭐ Why You’ll Love Air Frying Peanut Butter Cookies

Baking cookies in an air fryer offers a host of benefits that make it superior to traditional oven baking, especially for simple recipes like these peanut butter delights. Here’s why this method is a must-try:

• Unmatched Speed: Air fryers cook rapidly! You can have fresh peanut butter cookies ready in as little as 5-9 minutes. This is typically less time than it takes for a conventional oven to preheat, making it ideal for those sudden cookie cravings or busy schedules.
• Effortless Baking: This recipe simplifies cookie making to just three steps: stir, shape, and air fry. It’s a fantastic project for budding young bakers or anyone looking for a no-fuss dessert with minimal effort and cleanup.
• Wholesome Ingredients: Surprisingly, these cookies contain no butter, no white flour, and no added refined sugar. They are packed with nutritious peanut butter and an egg, providing a healthier alternative that doesn’t skimp on taste. You can enjoy a sweet treat that aligns with your wellness goals.
• Dietary Adaptability: Perfect for special dietary needs, these cookies are inherently low-carb, keto-friendly, and gluten-free. They are an excellent option for individuals managing diabetes, celiac disease, or those following specific lifestyle diets who still want to enjoy a delicious dessert.
• Irresistibly Delicious: Despite their simple composition and healthy profile, these cookies are incredibly tasty. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for sharing at parties, potlucks, or simply enjoying as a comforting treat at home. Watch them disappear quickly!
• Energy Efficient: Using a smaller appliance like an air fryer consumes significantly less energy than heating a large oven, making it a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to bake small batches of cookies.

🥘 Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Ingredients

Crafting these simple yet satisfying peanut butter cookies requires just three core ingredients. Their quality is key to the best results:

• 128 grams Peanut Butter (approx. ½ cup): The star of the show!
• 96 grams Granular Swerve (approx. ½ cup): Our preferred sugar substitute for a keto-friendly option.
• 1 Large Egg: The essential binder for perfect cookie structure.

Choosing Your Ingredients Wisely:

For the peanut butter, I typically use creamy, natural peanut butter. However, if you enjoy a bit of texture, crunchy peanut butter works wonderfully too! The most important tip here is to select a natural peanut butter that lists only peanuts (and perhaps a touch of salt) in its ingredients. Many commercial brands contain added sugars and hydrogenated oils, which can significantly alter the cookies’ texture and nutritional profile. Avoiding these additives ensures your cookies remain truly healthy and consistent with the recipe’s intent.

While I highly recommend Swerve for its zero-calorie and zero-net-carb properties, you can certainly use regular granulated white sugar as a 1:1 substitute if preferred. Just be aware that this will change the nutritional values, adding calories and carbs to your cookies. More on this in the dietitian tips below.

For optimal baking results, especially with low-carb and gluten-free recipes, precision is key. I strongly advise weighing your ingredients using a food scale. This ensures accuracy that measuring cups cannot always provide, leading to consistently perfect cookies every time. If you bake regularly, a food scale is an invaluable kitchen tool.

Essential Equipment:

Beyond the ingredients, you’ll need a large mixing bowl, an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer), a cookie scoop for uniform sizing, and of course, an air fryer. My personal preference is a 10-Quart Kalorik Digital Air Fryer Oven, which works splendidly for baking. However, most air fryer brands, including popular models like the Ninja Foodi, Philips, Nuwave, Pampered Chef, Actifry, Instant Pot Vortex, Cosori, and Breville, are suitable for this recipe. Just remember that cooking times can vary between models, so always keep a close eye on your cookies when trying a new air fryer recipe to fine-tune the timing for your specific appliance.

A cookie scoop is particularly helpful for creating uniform dough balls, ensuring even baking and consistent cookie sizes. This simple tool makes the process much quicker and tidier.

🔪 How to Air Fry Peanut Butter Cookies: Step-by-Step

Follow these simple steps to create your delicious air fryer peanut butter cookies:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the measured peanut butter, granular Swerve (or sugar), and the large egg. Use an electric mixer to blend these ingredients thoroughly until a smooth, cohesive cookie dough forms. Ensure everything is well incorporated.

2. Shape the Cookies: Use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough into 8 evenly sized balls. Place these dough balls onto your air fryer tray or into the air fryer basket. Peanut butter cookies traditionally don’t spread much during baking, so you’ll need to manually flatten them. Take a fork and gently press down on each cookie dough ball twice – once horizontally and once vertically – to create the classic crosshatch pattern. This not only gives them their signature look but also helps them cook evenly.

   

3. Air Fryer Prep Tip: Avoid Parchment Paper. While parchment paper can be useful in some baking scenarios, it’s generally best to avoid it when air frying these peanut butter cookies. Parchment paper can restrict airflow, extending the cooking time and potentially leading to dry cookies before they are fully baked. It also prevents the cookies from slightly settling into the holes of the rack, which aids in cooking. If you’re concerned about cookies sticking to the air fryer basket, simply press the dough with the fork to create the cookie shape *before* placing them on the air fryer tray. This minimizes handling after shaping and ensures less sticking.

️⏲️ Keto Peanut Butter Cookies Air Fryer Time and Temperature

Getting the perfect texture for your air fryer peanut butter cookies is all about the right time and temperature. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Set & Cook: Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177°C). Once preheated, air fry your peanut butter cookies for a total of 5-9 minutes. If you’re using an air fryer oven model, position the tray in the middle rack for optimal heat circulation.

2. Texture Preferences: The exact cooking time will determine your cookie’s final texture:

   • 5 Minutes: For those who love a supremely soft, dense, and wonderfully chewy cookie, 5 minutes is your sweet spot. At this duration, the Swerve (or sugar) retains a slightly grainy texture, which adds a delightful mouthfeel. This is my personal favorite!
   • 8-9 Minutes: If you prefer a cookie with a crispier exterior and a more crumbly, traditional cookie texture, extend the air frying time to 8-9 minutes. These cookies will have a more pronounced golden-brown finish.

   Don’t be alarmed if the cookies don’t appear fully “done” immediately after you remove them from the air fryer. This is normal. Like many baked goods, they will continue to firm up and set as they cool. Resist the urge to overbake them in search of immediate firmness!

Cooling and Chilling: Allow the cookies to cool on the air fryer tray for at least 1 hour. This extended cooling period is crucial for them to fully set and prevent them from breaking when moved. After this, carefully lift each cookie with a spatula and transfer them to a baking rack to continue cooling for another 30 minutes. For the best texture and flavor, I recommend chilling them in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap, before enjoying. The flavors meld and the texture improves even further with a bit of chill time.

🌡️ How to Store Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

Once your air fryer peanut butter cookies have completely cooled, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully! To prevent them from sticking together in the freezer, place a piece of parchment paper or freezer paper between each cookie before stacking them in an airtight freezer bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months and thawed at room temperature or gently warmed for a quick treat.

😋 What Goes with Peanut Butter Cookies?

Peanut butter cookies are wonderfully versatile and pair well with a variety of delights. For a timeless classic, nothing beats a warm cookie with a tall glass of cold milk! You could also elevate your dessert experience by serving them alongside a scoop of your favorite ice cream, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, or even a drizzle of chocolate sauce. For a nostalgic twist reminiscent of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, spread a thin layer of your favorite jelly or jam between two cookies to create a delicious cookie sandwich. These cookies are also excellent with a cup of coffee or tea for an afternoon pick-me-up.

📋 Calories, Net Carbs, Protein

Each serving (one cookie) of these air fryer peanut butter cookies boasts an impressive nutritional profile:

• 109 Calories
• 2 grams Net Carbs
• 4.8 grams Protein

This makes them an excellent choice for those tracking macros or looking for a guilt-free treat. The low net carb count is particularly beneficial for keto and low-carb diets.

FAQs About Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

Should you chill peanut butter cookie dough before baking?

While chilling cookie dough is a crucial step for many recipes (especially those designed to spread significantly, like certain chocolate chip cookies), it’s generally not necessary for this peanut butter cookie recipe. These cookies inherently don’t spread much, whether the dough is chilled or not. So, you can mix and bake immediately, saving you valuable time!

Can you put frozen cookie dough in an air fryer?

Absolutely! The air fryer is fantastic for baking frozen cookie dough. To do so, place your frozen cookie dough balls in a small, air fryer-safe pan. Air fry them at a slightly lower temperature, typically around 325°F (163°C). The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your frozen cookies, but generally, expect them to take between 10-15 minutes. Always keep an eye on them to prevent burning and ensure they cook through evenly.

How to make air fryer peanut butter cookies no egg?

Eggs play an important role as a binder in most cookie recipes, helping to hold the ingredients together and prevent crumbling. If you need to make vegan air fryer peanut butter cookies or simply prefer to go egg-free, you can use an egg replacer. A flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, allowed to sit for 5 minutes until gel-like) is a popular and effective alternative. Be aware that using an egg replacer might subtly alter the cookie’s texture, potentially making them a bit more delicate or crumbly.

What makes peanut butter cookies crispy?

Traditionally, peanut butter cookie recipes that incorporate flour tend to yield a crispier texture. Since our recipe is flour-free, the primary way to achieve crispiness is by extending the cooking time slightly in the air fryer. As noted in the cooking instructions, baking for 8-9 minutes will result in a cookie that is crispier on the outside and more crumbly throughout compared to the softer, chewier 5-minute version.

How to make peanut butter cookies taste better?

While these 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies are delicious on their own, you can certainly customize them to enhance their flavor and texture! Consider adding various mix-ins to the dough, such as sugar-free chocolate chips, finely chopped walnuts or pecans, additional chopped peanuts for extra crunch, or even dried cranberries or raisins for a touch of fruity sweetness. Another exciting option is to experiment with different nut butters; try almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter (sunbutter) for unique flavor profiles and to cater to peanut allergies.

👨🏾‍🍳 More Air Fryer Dessert Recipes

If you’re loving the convenience and delicious results of air frying desserts, you’re in luck! Here are a few more air fryer sweet treats to try:

• Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls: Warm, gooey, and ready in minutes!
• S’mores in the Air Fryer: Enjoy this campfire classic indoors, anytime.
• Air Fryer Banana Muffins: Perfect small-batch muffins with no butter.

Don’t stop there! Explore our entire collection of Air Fryer Recipes for more culinary inspiration.

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