The best Air fryer cookie for one (easy recipe)
If you’re craving something sweet, this easy recipe for the best Air Fryer cookie for one is perfect. It’s quick to make, satisfies your sweet tooth, and is loaded with dark chocolate chips.
This single-serving cookie is the perfect way to have a sweet treat without the hassle, and without having to bake a full batch of chocolate chip cookies in a traditional oven. The Air Fryer bakes it perfectly, giving you a warm, gooey dessert in no time.
Ingredients you’ll need for this quick treat
This recipe calls for simple ingredients, found in any grocery store:
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture to the cookie, helping it stay soft and chewy.
- Brown sugar: Brings a deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps create a slightly chewy texture.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the brown sugar with a lighter sweetness and adds a bit of crispness to the edges.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor, giving the cookie a warm, comforting taste.
- Egg yolk: Provides structure and richness, keeping the cookie tender and preventing it from drying out.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the cookie, giving it the right texture and helping it hold together.
- Baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent, helping the cookie rise slightly and giving it a soft, tender crumb.
- Sea salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Chocolate chips: The star ingredient that melts into gooey pockets of deliciousness, making every bite a treat.
Take a look at the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe.
Add-ons and Substitutions
Mix and match these ingredients for the next time you make this recipe:
- Nuts: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for a crunchy texture.
- Peanut Butter: Swirl a spoonful of peanut butter or almond butter into the dough for a nutty twist.
- Dried Fruit: Mix in dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dried apricots for a chewy, fruity element.
- Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth and flavor.
- Chocolate Chips: Swap with white chocolate, dark chocolate chunks, or even butterscotch chips for variety.
- Butter: Use coconut oil or a dairy-free margarine for a vegan option.
- All-purpose flour: substitute for gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version.
How to make this Air-fryer cookie
In a small bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until fully mixed. You can use a handheld whisk or a fork.
Add the egg yolk and mix until just combined.
Add the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and salt) to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips. Be careful not to overmix the cookie dough, as it could result in a tougher cookie after baking.
Shape the dough into a ball with your hands, then gently push it to shape it as a disk. If the dough is too soft or sticky, place it in the fridge for a few minutes until easy to handle.
Preheat the air-fryer to 325 F in the bake setting. Place the cookie dough disk on top of a 7×7 inch greased aluminum foil or specially designed air-fryer parchment paper, and place it in the air-fryer basket.
Air fry for 7-9 minutes (keep an eye on it, every kind of air fryer is different and times may change) or until edges are golden brown and the center is still soft. The cookie will firm up as it cools. Remember that the cookie continues to cook slightly after it is out of the air fryer.
Let cool completely and enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Expert Tips for the perfect dessert
- Use Room Temperature Butter: Softened butter creams more easily with sugar, resulting in a smoother, more evenly mixed dough.
- Room Temperature Egg Yolk: Using a room temperature egg yolk ensures it mixes better with the other ingredients, giving you a consistent texture.
- Chill the Dough if Necessary: If your dough is too soft or sticky, chill it for 10-15 minutes to make it easier to handle and shape.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to a tougher cookie. Mix just until the ingredients are combined for a tender texture.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. This prevents using too much flour, which can make the cookie dry.
- Use High-Quality Chocolate Chips: Choose good quality chocolate for the best flavor. Dark chocolate chips with a high cocoa content melt beautifully.
- Don’t Skip the Preheat: Preheating your air fryer ensures the cookie bakes evenly and achieves the right texture.
- Monitor Baking Time Closely: Air fryers can vary in power and cooking time, so keep an eye on the cookie as it bakes to avoid overcooking.
- Allow the Cookie to Cool in the Air Fryer Basket: Letting the cookie cool slightly in the basket helps it firm up without overcooking, giving you the perfect texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when the cookie is done?
The cookie should have crispy edges, and it should have a gooey center. It will firm up as it cools.
My cookie turned out dry. What did I do wrong?
Overmixing the dough or adding too much flour can make the cookie dry. Be sure to mix until just combined and measure your flour accurately.
Can I double the recipe to make more cookies?
Absolutely! Just multiply the ingredients accordingly and cook each cookie separately in the air fryer for the best results.
Do I need to line the air fryer basket?
It’s recommended to use greased aluminum foil or air fryer parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
How long does the cookie take to cool?
Let the cookie cool for about 5 minutes in the air fryer basket before transferring it to a cooling rack. This helps it set without overcooking.
What’s the best way to store the cookie if I don’t eat it right away?
Store the cookie in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep it longer, refrigerate it for up to a week.
Can I freeze the unbaked dough?
Yes, you can freeze the unbaked dough. Shape it into a ball or disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before air frying.
Can I freeze the baked cookie?
Yes, you can freeze the baked cookie. Once cooled, place it in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before eating.
Take a look at the links below for more single-serving Recipes, or click this link for more cookie recipes.
Take a look at this Air Fryer Cookie for One Video so you can see the cookie up close.
If you make this recipe, please be sure to give it a star rating and leave a comment!
The best Air fryer cookie for one (easy recipe)
Equipment
- 1 whisk or fork
- 1 air fryer
- 1 7×7 aluminum foil sheet
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk room temperature
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 6 tablespoons. Using scoop and level method
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a small bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until fully mixed. You can use a handheld whisk or a fork.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Add the egg yolk and mix until just combined.1 large egg yolk
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips. Be careful not to overmix the cookie dough, which could result in a tougher cookie after baking.1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1/8 teaspoon baking soda, 1/8 teaspoon sea salt, 3 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Shape the dough into a ball with your hands, then gently push it to shape it as a disk. If the dough is too soft or sticky, place it in the fridge for a few minutes until easy to handle.
- Preheat the air-fryer to 325 F in the bake setting. Place the cookie dough disk on top of a 7×7 inch greased aluminum foil or specially designed air-fryer parchment paper, and place it in the air-fryer basket.
- Air fry for 7-9 minutes (keep an eye on it, every kind of air fryer is different and times may change) or until edges are golden brown and the center is still soft. The cookie will firm up as it cools. Remember that the cookie continues to cook slightly after it is out of the air fryer.
- Let cool completely and enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Add-ons and Substitutions
Mix and match these ingredients for the next time you make this recipe:- Nuts: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for a crunchy texture.
- Peanut Butter: Swirl a spoonful of peanut butter or almond butter into the dough for a nutty twist.
- Dried Fruit: Mix in dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dried apricots for a chewy, fruity element.
- Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth and flavor.
- Chocolate Chips: Swap with white chocolate, dark chocolate chunks, or even butterscotch chips for variety.
- Butter: Use coconut oil or a dairy-free margarine for a vegan option.
- All-purpose flour: substitute for gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version.
Expert Tips for the perfect dessert
- Use Room Temperature Butter: Softened butter creams more easily with sugar, resulting in a smoother, more evenly mixed dough.
- Room Temperature Egg Yolk: Using a room temperature egg yolk ensures it mixes better with the other ingredients, giving you a consistent texture.
- Chill the Dough if Necessary: If your dough is too soft or sticky, chill it for 10-15 minutes to make it easier to handle and shape.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to a tougher cookie. Mix just until the ingredients are combined for a tender texture.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. This prevents using too much flour, which can make the cookie dry.
- Use High-Quality Chocolate Chips: Choose good quality chocolate for the best flavor. Dark chocolate chips with a high cocoa content melt beautifully.
- Don’t Skip the Preheat: Preheating your air fryer ensures the cookie bakes evenly and achieves the right texture.
- Monitor Baking Time Closely: Air fryers can vary in power and cooking time, so keep an eye on the cookie as it bakes to avoid overcooking.
- Allow the Cookie to Cool in the Air Fryer Basket: Letting the cookie cool slightly in the basket helps it firm up without overcooking, giving you the perfect texture.