Dessert

Air Fryer Christmas Tree Cookies Recipe

Bylilan Sage February 1, 2026February 1, 2026

Introduction

These Air Fryer Christmas Tree Cookies are a festive twist on a classic treat, perfect for holiday celebrations. Crisp on the outside, soft inside, and topped with a sweet Hershey’s Kiss, they’re simple to make and fun to decorate.

A single triangular sweet treat shaped like a Christmas tree, consisting of three visible layers: the bottom layer is a light brown, crumbly cookie base; the middle layer is a smooth, shiny dark brown piece of chocolate shaped like a Hershey's Kiss, standing upright in the center; on top, bright green buttercream frosting is piped neatly around the chocolate in the shape of a Christmas tree, textured with small ridges and decorated with tiny colorful sprinkles including white, yellow, pink, and purple pearls. This dessert sits on a clean white marbled surface with a soft focus on similar treats in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup peanut butter
½ cup butter (room temperature)
¾ cup brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg
½ cup granulated sugar (for coating cookies)
22 Hershey Kisses
Frosting and sprinkles (for decorating)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat together the peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until well combined.
Step 3: Add the egg to the peanut butter mixture and mix until just combined.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Step 5: Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out balls of dough. Roll each scoop between your hands to form smooth balls, then place them on a baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Step 6: Preheat the air fryer to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
Step 7: Pour the granulated sugar into a small bowl and roll each chilled dough ball in the sugar until coated.
Step 8: Arrange the coated cookies on the parchment paper about an inch apart, then lightly press down on each dough ball. They will spread slightly while cooking.
Step 9: Air fry the cookies for 6 to 8 minutes, or until very lightly golden. Avoid overcooking to keep them soft.
Step 10: Remove the basket and let the cookies cool for 5 minutes. Using a spatula, carefully lift each cookie and immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center.
Step 11: Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating with frosting and sprinkles to resemble Christmas trees.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
Substitute peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for a different twist or allergy-friendly option.
If you don’t have parchment paper, lightly grease the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
Decorate with colored frosting and festive sprinkles to personalize your Christmas tree cookies.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw completely before decorating. To refresh, warm briefly in the air fryer for a few seconds without the Hershey’s Kiss.

How to Serve

The image shows round cookies arranged on light brown parchment paper over a white marbled texture. Each cookie base is light brown and sugar-coated with a rough texture. Some cookies have a smooth, dark brown chocolate kiss on top, while others have a three-layer decoration: the cookie base, a bright green piped swirl shaped like a Christmas tree with a soft, smooth texture, and colorful small round sprinkles in red, white, pink, and purple, topped with a tiny yellow star-shaped sprinkle. The background includes a blurred jar of peanut butter with a spoon inside and other similar cookies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I bake these cookies in a regular oven instead of an air fryer?

Yes, you can bake them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8-10 minutes, but watch carefully to avoid overbaking. The air fryer gives a quicker bake with a slightly crisp edge.

What if I don’t have Hershey Kisses for the topping?

You can substitute with any small candy or chocolate pieces, or simply skip the topping and decorate the cookies with frosting and sprinkles for a festive look.