Air-Fryer Oatmeal Cookies

Looking for a healthier cookie recipe that still delivers on flavor? These air fryer oatmeal cookies do just that! With oats, chocolate chips and a hint of vanilla, this recipe is the perfect blend of crispy on the outside and insanely chewy on the inside.

Air fryer oatmeal cookies offer the best of both worlds—the comforting taste of homemade cookies with the speed and convenience of air frying. Plus, the recipe is easily customizable, whether you have a peanut butter craving or need a spiced twist.

Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookie Ingredients

• Butter: Softened butter creates a rich and tender cookie base and gives the cookies their crispy edges.
• Sugar and brown sugar: A combination of white and brown sugar provides sweetness and moisture, contributing to the chewy texture of these air fryer oat cookies.
• Eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together and add structure to the cookies.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the cookies. Here our list of the best vanilla extract brands to buy.
• Quick-cooking oats: Instant oats give the cookies their signature texture and nutty flavor. Here’s the main difference between steel cut and quick-cooking oats.
• Flour: All-purpose flour provides structure to the oatmeal cookies and helps them hold their shape.
• Instant vanilla pudding mix: This secret ingredient adds extra flavor and helps keep these air fryer oatmeal cookies soft and oh-so-chewy.
• Baking soda: Baking soda is a leavening agent and helps the cookies rise and spread slightly during baking.
• Salt: A teaspoon of salt enhances all the flavors in the cookie and balances the sweetness.
• Semisweet chocolate chips: Semisweet chocolate chips add rich pockets of chocolate throughout the cookie and melt as they cook.
• Chopped nuts (optional): The addition of chopped nuts like pecans and walnuts provides a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor. Use any type of nut you have on hand and toast them for additional flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Cream the butter and sugars

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Preheat the air fryer to 325°F. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about five to seven minutes.

Editor’s tip: Make sure your butter is at room temperature before baking—it should be soft enough to leave an indent when pressed, but not melted.

Step 2: Add the eggs and vanilla

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Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until fully combined.

Step 3: Combine the  dry ingredients

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In a separate bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, instant pudding mix, baking soda and salt.

Step 4: Mix wet and dry ingredients

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Gradually beat the dry mixture into the creamed butter mixture until well incorporated to form the oatmeal cookie dough.

Step 5: Add the mix-ins

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Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and chopped nuts (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Editor’s tip: Reserve a handful of chocolate chips to press into the tops of the cookies just before air frying.

Step 6: Cook the cookies

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Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto baking sheets and flatten slightly. In batches, place the cookies an inch apart on a greased tray in the air fryer basket. Cook the cookies in batches for 8 to 10 minutes or until they are lightly browned around the edges.

Editor’s tip: Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion the dough for evenly sized cookies.

Step 7: Cool and serve

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Once done, remove the cookies from the air fryer and transfer them to wire racks to cool.

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Recipe Variations

• Add dried fruit: Mix in 1/2 cup of dried cranberries or raisins for a fruity twist to these air fryer oat cookies.
• Give it a peanut butter twist: Add 1/4 cup of peanut butter to the wet ingredients for a nutty, creamy twist.
• Swap out the chocolate chips: Try using white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks or peanut butter chips for a different flavor profile.
• Add some warm spice: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg to the dry ingredients to give these air fryer oatmeal cookies a warm, spiced flavor.

How to Store Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies

Store your air fryer oatmeal cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to two months. You can add a slice of bread to the container to absorb excess moisture and maintain crispness.

Can you freeze air fryer oatmeal cookie dough?

Yes—you can freeze both the uncooked dough or baked cookies! Roll the dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Bake them directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the cook time.

Place baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookie Tips

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How do you prevent air fryer oat cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before putting the cookies in the air fryer will allow the butter to firm up and reduce the spread while cooking. Preheating your air fryer before adding the cookies in can also help.

Can you make air fryer oatmeal cookies without nuts?

Absolutely! Simply omit the nuts from the recipe without affecting the overall structure of the cookies. You can also just replace them with extra chocolate chips or dried fruit like raisins.

What type of oats should I use?

Quick-cooking oats work best for these cookies because they provide a chewy texture without making the cookies too dense. Avoid using steel-cut oats as they won’t soften properly during cooking.

Can I make these air fryer oatmeal cookies without eggs?

For an egg-free version of these air fryer oat cookies, substitute the eggs with 1/4 cup applesauce or mashed banana per egg. Here are the seven best egg substitutes when baking.