Dessert

2 Perfect Snickerdoodle Cookies in the Air Fryer Recipe

Bylilan Sage February 1, 2026February 1, 2026

Introduction

These two perfect snickerdoodle cookies made in the air fryer offer a quick and delicious treat with minimal effort. Crisp edges and soft centers come together beautifully with a classic cinnamon sugar coating. Ideal for a fast homemade dessert or snack.

Two thick, round cinnamon sugar cookies are stacked on a silver cooling rack lined with white parchment paper. Each cookie has a cracked light golden-brown surface coated with a fine layer of cinnamon sugar, giving a slightly rough texture. The bottom cookie looks soft and slightly crumbly. Nearby, several cinnamon sticks lie on the white marbled surface, adding warm brown hues to the scene. The background is softly blurred with neutral tones, highlighting the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons sugar + 2 teaspoons
1 large egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup flour
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Step 1: Place the butter in a medium sized mixing bowl and microwave until melted.
Step 2: Add 3 tablespoons of sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla to the melted butter. Stir well with a fork until combined.
Step 3: Stir in the flour, cornstarch, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt until the dough is smooth and well mixed.
Step 4: Form the dough into 2 equal balls.
Step 5: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
Step 6: Combine the remaining 2 teaspoons of sugar with the ground cinnamon on a plate. Roll each cookie dough ball in the cinnamon sugar to coat.
Step 7: Lightly flatten each cookie and place them on a sheet of air fryer parchment paper, spaced a couple of inches apart. Place the parchment with the cookies into the air fryer basket.
Step 8: Air fry for 5 minutes. Remove the basket from the air fryer but leave the cookies inside to cool for at least 20 minutes, allowing them to firm up before handling.

Tips & Variations

For a softer cookie, reduce the air frying time by a minute and adjust cooling accordingly.
Use parchment paper designed for air fryers to prevent sticking and easy cleanup.
Add a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar for a deeper spice flavor.
If you don’t have cream of tartar, swap with an equal amount of lemon juice or vinegar for a similar effect.

Storage

Store cooled snickerdoodle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat briefly in the air fryer at 300°F for 1-2 minutes if you prefer them warm, but avoid overheating to keep them soft inside.