I love a late night cookie, especially when I do not want to spend any time in the kitchen mixing dough. That is why I started air frying refrigerated cookie dough and it is still my fastest way to get a warm cookie.
I use a Cosori 6qt basket style air fryer. It's been my favorite for years and very dependable.
"Thanks for the basic recipe, they worked perfectly for the large round pillsbury cookie dough.
~ Lisa
Yes, you can bake cookies in the air fryer, and you can air fry cookie dough straight from a refrigerated package too. I preheat to 320F degrees for 2 minutes before placing flattened cookie dough into the basket and air fryer for 7 to 8 minutes. I prefer Pillsbury or Toll House refrigerated cookie dough in the tubes.
This has been a hit especially with my grand kids. You know a grandma loves to give the kids a warm cookie before bed. Shhh, don't tell their parents. And here is a tip, do not cut slices too thick. Thick slices do not cook as well. A thinner slice is better.
Can You Bake Cookies in the Air Fryer?
Yes, Refrigerated cookie dough bakes well in the air fryer. Preheat to 320F Degrees for 2 minutes, air fryer for 7 to 8 minutes until the edges are deep golden brown and the center is set. Then let the cookies rest in the basket for 3 to 4 minutes. I bake 4 cookies at a time allowing room for the air to flow freely in the basket.
And make sure to try my Air Fryer Sugar Cookies and Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies too!
How I Tested Air Fryer Cookies
I air fried more than 4 batches before of refrigerated cookie dough in my Cosori 6qt air fryer. I compared with parchment paper vs without and checked for doneness at 7 minutes to find when the edges turned deep golden brown and the center was set. I also tested the thickness vs thinner slices.
I found that using a parchment paper made removing the cookies dramatically easier as the cookie dough didn't grow into the basket grate making them hard to remove. I also found that a thinner sliced cookie baked more evenly and cooked the center of the cookies too.
But the real tip is to leave the cookies in the basket for 3-4 minutes after air frying. This is where the cookie begins to cool and more importantly sets up.
What You Need to Air Fry Refrigerated Cookie Dough
A closer look at each ingredient and its role in the recipe.
- Refrigerated Cookie Dough: I prefer Toll House or Pillsbury cookie dough in the tube. But any brand will work.
How to Bake Cookies in an Air Fryer, Step by Step
Preheat Air Fryer to 320 degrees for 2 minutes. While the Air fryer is heating up, separate 4 cookies and shape into a flat circle. Don't press too thin.
The baking will spread the cookie dough. But a good uniform flat circle works great.
Place a piece of parchment paper on the bottom of the basket and place 4 circles of cookie dough making sure there is a 2 inch space around each cookie.
Set air fryer and bake those cookies! It will only take a few minutes.
When the cookies are done baking allow them to sit in the basket for a few minutes with the basket closed.
Then open basket and allow cookies to sit for an additional couple minutes before trying to lift cookies out and onto a cooking rack.
I find that refrigerated cookie dough will turn golden around the edges while still being very soft. If you try to lift out too soon, they become a gooey mess.
So be patient and allow the cookies time to cool and set before lifting them out with a spatula.
Why Are My Air Fryer Cookies Raw in the Middle?
Refrigerated cookie dough can end up being raw in the middle if the cookie is too thick to begin with. I try to flatten the pre-shaped cookies a little bit, or when I slice the cookie dough I try a thinner slice.
Can I Bake These in a Toaster Oven or Oven Instead?
Yes. Refrigerated cookie dough is typically baked in a regular oven. Follow the directions on the package.
A toaster oven will cook the cookies from the top down. It's tricky to use a toasty oven but can be done. Lower the temperature and keep cookies thin for even baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Air Fryer Refrigerated Cookie Dough
Yes, Refrigerated cookie dough bakes in 7 to 8 minutes at 320F degrees
Preheat 2 minutes at 320F degrees, then air fry 7 to 8 minutes until the edges are deep golden brown and the center is set.
I prefer to use parchment paper so the cookie dough does not expand into the grate of the air fryer.
Thick slices can stay underbaked. Slice the dough thinner or make smaller cookies
Yes, allowing the cookies to rest 3 to 4 minutes in the air fryer basket allows the cookies to cool and set making them easier to remove from the basket.
Yes, you can use either Pillsbury or Toll House Cookie dough. You can also use your favorite store brand.
Can You Use Parchment Paper in Air Fryer?
Parchment paper used in an Air Fryer needs to have holes in it so that air can circulate around and bake. If the air flow is disrupted too much, it can cause a fire.
Parchment paper should only be placed in an air fryer with the cookie placed on top.
Parchment paper tends to fly around loose in the air fryer basket and will catch fire during the preheating process if nothing is placed on it to hold it down.
The heating element gets very hot and will burn anything that touches it.
Making a small batch of chocolate chip cookie dough is ideal to curb an appetite, or to just enjoy a quick small dessert when your sweet tooth hits.
I love enjoying a hot cookie or two without making a mess of the kitchen.
Air Fryer Cookie Time and Temp Trips for Even Baking
Here is a fun tip for you, add ice cream between two cookies for a fantastic Ice Cream Sandwich. Take it up a notch and roll the edges of the Ice Cream in mini chocolate chips. The ice cream will hold onto the chocolate chips for a truly fun dessert.
Place in freezer until ready to serve.
Parchment Paper in Air Fryers makes for an easy clean up!
Can You Air Fry Pillsbury and Toll House Cookie Dough?
If you aren't a believer yet, give it a try for yourself. You can you make cookies in the air fryer and you will love it! I love using the classic chocolate chip dough, but I've also enjoyed Birthday Cake Cookie Dough with sprinkles or even a holiday cookie dough too.
Kitchen Tools & Equipment
This section contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
- Kitchen Scale. I use this for accuracy in measuring and it's a life saver when it comes to consistent baking
- Wire Rack for cooling cookies. I like to have at least 2 cooling racks
- Mixing Bowls. A Large Mixing Bowl for mixing ingredients and small and medium mixing bowls for other ingredients
- Cookie Sheet. Most recipes will take 2 batches to bake. It's great to have multiple baking sheets available
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat. Line Cookie Sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up and to prevent sticking.
- Cookie Scoop. A small #60 Cookie Scoop or a Medium Cookie Scoop #50 are great choices for uniform drops of cookie dough.
- Storage Container. An Airtight Container to store cookies or ZipLoc Bags work great too.
- Additional supplies. Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons along with silicone spatula are all helpful
This post may contain affiliate links. Thanks for using my links! See my Disclosure Policy here.
Rate This Recipe!
Scroll to the bottom to leave a star rating and/or comment. This helps other cookie lovers find this recipe too!
More Recipes
- Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
- Air Fryer Sugar Cookies
- Mrs Fields Chocolate Chip Copycat Cookies
- Brownie Mix Cookies
- Funfetti Cookies
- Apple Crisp Air Fryer Recipe
- Air Fryer Candied Pecans
Air Fry Refrigerated Cookie Dough
Ingredients
- 1 pkg Refrigerated Cookie Dough
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer at 320 Degrees for 2 minutes
- Place Parchment Paper in bottom of Air Fryer (optional)
- Take 1 piece of cookie dough and shape into a flat circle 1 pkg Refrigerated Cookie Dough
- Place 4 cookies on parchment paper in Air Fryer Basket leaving 2 inches of space around cookie dough
- Air Fryer for 7-8 minutes. Edges of cookies will turn a deep golden brown color and center will be set.
- Note: Cookies will still be very soft. They will firm up as they cool.
- Allow cookies to sit inside of warm air fryer for an addition 2 minutes.
- Open Air Fryer basket and allow cookies to sit in basket for 3-4 minutes before removing from basket.
- As Cookies cool they become more firm and are easily lifted off parchment paper to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Marci
Will this work in an air fryer/toaster oven? If so, any changes on directions? Thanks.
Rebecca Johnston
Hi Marci, I use a Cosori Air Fryer for this recipe and placed the cookie dough in the basket. Hope that helps!
Lisa
I used the large round roll of pillsbury cookie dough and sliced eight equal slices 1/4 “ size. I set both baskets in my ninja air fryer megazone to 320 degrees for 9 minutes. I left them in the basket for two minutes and outside the fryer but still in the basket for an additional five minutes. They looked great except in the very CENTER (dough was not quite set enough). I popped them back in the air fryer at. 390 for two minutes. Then I removed the basket after two minutes to let them SET UP in the basket for 3-4 Minutes. I removed them from the parchment and onto the cooling rack. They are PERFECT!! Thanks for the basis for the recipe. Worked perfectly for the large round pillsbury refrigerated cookie dough!
Rebecca Johnston
Hi Lisa. Thanks for your feedback! Sounds like they turned out delicious. You might try making them a little thinner or smaller next time so the centers cook easier. But love a big cookie too!