Air Fryer Sugar Cookies

Decorated sugar cookies on a rimmed baking sheet.

5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer sugar cookies are soft and chewy and ready in less than 6 minutes! They have just the right amount of sweetness and hold their shape perfectly. They are perfect for any occasion, whether it's Halloween, Christmas, or Easter.

Prep Time20

Cook Time5

Total Time25

Course: All Recipes, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: cookies

Calories: 177kcal

Author: Jeri Walker

Ingredients

For the Cookies

¾ cup cold butter unsalted
1½ cups sugar
½ cup sour cream
1 large egg
1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
3½ cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt

For the Icing

1½ cups powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoon butter slightly softened
5 teaspoon milk or water

Instructions

Step 1: Mix the wet ingredients together. Use an electric mixer on low speed to cream together the butter and sugar in a large bowl. This will take about 3-4 minutes. Add the sour cream and a large egg and beat until combined. This will take another few minutes. You want the mixture to be light and fluffy. Next, add the vanilla extract and almond extract and mix until smooth.
Step 2: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the same bowl as the wet ingredients. Mix with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Divide the dough in half and place one half in the fridge to keep cool while you make the other half into cookies.
Step 3: Roll out the dough. Lightly flour your countertop and roll out the homemade cookie dough with a rolling pin until it is about ¼-inch thick. Lightly dust the top of the dough with flour as needed to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Make cookies. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Any remaining dough can be put together and rolled back out.
Step 5: Bake. Preheat your air fryer to 350℉. Place a piece of air fryer parchment paper in the basket. Place the cut-out cookies in the basket in a single layer. Air fry cookies for 4-5 minutes, until the edges start to turn slightly golden brown. For best results, carefully flip the cookies halfway through the cooking time. Remove the cookies from the basket. Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
Step 6: Make the icing. In a medium bowl, mix powdered sugar with vanilla extract, butter, and milk with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Step 7: Decorate. Separate the icing into small bowls and add a drop or two of food coloring to tint it. Decorate your cookies as desired with icing. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Measuring Flour: Scoop the flour into a measuring cup with a spoon and level it off with a knife. If you pack it down, there will be too much flour, and the cookies will turn out dry.
Use Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
Cook in Small Batches: Ensures even cooking and allows for proper air circulation.
Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool completely before adding the icing. Otherwise, the icing will melt and run off. Add sprinkles as soon as the icing is applied so they have something to stick to.

Nutrition