Dessert

Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Bylilan Sage March 21, 2026March 21, 2026

Introduction

These air fryer peanut butter cookies are quick, easy, and delightfully soft with a classic crisscross pattern. Perfect for when you want a homemade treat without heating up the oven, they come out golden and chewy every time.

The image shows two peanut butter cookies stacked on top of each other with the top cookie broken in half, revealing a soft and crumbly inside texture in light golden brown color. The cookies have a slightly cracked surface and feature a light pattern of fork marks on top, with a slightly crisp edge. Around the stack, more whole cookies with the same light golden brown color and fork patterns are visible, all resting on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ cup butter (room temperature)
½ cup brown sugar
⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
1 ¼ cups flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

Step 1: Beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a medium mixing bowl until light and creamy.
Step 2: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined, then beat in the peanut butter.
Step 3: Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the bowl and beat until well combined.
Step 4: Place the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill.
Step 5: Line the basket of your air fryer with parchment paper and preheat it to 350°F (175°C).
Step 6: Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out the dough, then shape each portion into a ball and roll it through granulated sugar to coat.
Step 7: Arrange the cookie dough balls in the air fryer basket, leaving 1 to 2 inches between each to allow for spreading.
Step 8: Use a fork to gently press a crisscross pattern onto the top of each cookie.
Step 9: Air fry for 5 minutes or until the edges and the tips of the crisscross pattern are golden brown. Avoid overbaking.
Step 10: Let the cookies cool for a couple of minutes before carefully removing them from the air fryer with a spatula. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, handling gently to prevent breaking.

Tips & Variations

For extra chewiness, slightly underbake the cookies and let them finish setting on the cooling rack.
Use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy for added texture.
Try adding a handful of chocolate chips or chopped peanuts to the dough for variation.
If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the cookies in a regular oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them soft, add a slice of bread to the container. Reheat gently in the air fryer or microwave for a few seconds if preferred warm.

How to Serve

The image shows four round, light golden cookie dough balls placed on a flat layer of gray parchment paper inside a black baking tray. Each cookie dough ball has a crisscross pattern pressed on the top surface, and the edges look slightly grainy with sugar coating. The scene is lit softly, and the focus is on the two cookies closest to the camera with a shallow depth of field blurring the far cookies and background. The texture of the dough looks slightly rough but soft. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter instead of creamy?

Natural peanut butter can be used, but expect the dough to be a bit drier. You may need to add a tablespoon of milk or water to help bind the dough.

What if my cookies spread too much in the air fryer?

Make sure to chill the dough thoroughly before baking and space the dough balls well apart. You can also slightly reduce the butter to limit spreading.