Air fryers may be popular for cooking main meals, but they’re also a great tool to use for baking – particularly if you’re in a rush. The countertop appliance’s use of convection heating, high-speed fan, and small size make it an ideal solution for baking sweet treats quickly. In this article, we’ll explore the magic of using an air fryer to bake cookies, and provide a simple recipe to get you started.
The Benefits of Air Fryer Baking
There are several benefits to using an air fryer for baking cookies. Here are a few:
- Quick cooking time: Air fryers typically cook faster than traditional ovens, which is perfect for those who hate waiting for their cookies to bake.
- Small space: Air fryers are ideal for small batch desserts like cookies, making them perfect for those with limited kitchen space.
- Less spreading: The convection heating in air fryers helps to reduce the spreading of cookie dough, resulting in a thicker, more rounded cookie.
- Moisture retention: The use of convection heating and high-speed fan in air fryers helps to retain moisture in the cookies, resulting in a chewier texture.
The Secret to Thick and Chewy Cookies
According to cooking author and food blogger Arman Liew, the key to making thick and chewy cookies in an air fryer is using a combination of white and brown sugar. The molasses in brown sugar helps to add moisture to the cookies, resulting in a denser and chewier texture.
What You’ll Need
Here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need to make the cookie dough:
- 350g of all-purpose flour
- 63g of butter
- 94g of brown sugar
- 61g of white sugar
- 31g of unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 340g of chocolate chips
How to Make the Cookie Dough
To make the cookie dough, start by mixing the dry ingredients together in a bowl. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream the butter, sugars, and cream, before stirring in the milk and vanilla extract. Then fold in your dry ingredients until combined and stir in the chocolate chips. Once your dough is made, roll out 12 equal-sized balls of cookie dough and place three to four at a time into the air fryer basket, which should first be lined with baking paper.
Tips from Arman
Here are some tips from Arman to help you get the best results from your air fryer cookie baking:
- Air fry in batches: Make sure to air fry the cookies in batches to ensure they have enough room to spread out.
- Don’t skip the rest time: Letting the cookies rest in the basket keeps them from breaking and allows them to firm up as they cool.
- Keep an eye on the cookies: Everyone’s air fryer is a bit different, so keep an eye on the cookies to ensure they’re cooked to perfection.
The Finished Cookies
Once your cookies are cooked, leave them to cool on a wire rack and repeat the process until all of your dough balls have been cooked. The finished cookies will be thick, soft, and chewy, with a perfect crumb and gooey chocolate chips.
Conclusion
Air fryer baking is a game-changer for those who love baking but hate the waiting. With the use of convection heating, high-speed fan, and small size, air fryers are the perfect solution for baking sweet treats quickly. By following the recipe and tips provided in this article, you’ll be well on your way to making delicious, thick, and chewy cookies in the comfort of your own home.
