You know those nights when a chocolate chip cookie craving hits, but you don’t want to make a whole batch? Me too! That’s why I’m obsessed with these small batch air fryer chocolate chip cookies—they’re ready in under 20 minutes, make just enough for two (or one very indulgent snack), and leave your kitchen smelling like a bakery. No waiting for the oven to preheat, no piles of dishes, just warm, gooey cookies with crispy edges. And the best part? You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry right now. Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love These Small Batch Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Listen, I know you’re busy (aren’t we all?), but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on warm, homemade cookies. Here’s why this recipe is my go-to:
- Speed: From mixing bowl to mouth in under 20 minutes—no waiting for the oven to heat up!
- Small batch magic: Makes just 4 perfect cookies, so you’re not stuck with a mountain of leftovers (unless you double it—no judgment).
- Air fryer crispiness: That golden crunch you love? Achieved without turning on the big oven.
- One-bowl wonder: Minimal cleanup means more time enjoying cookies and less time scrubbing dishes.
Trust me, once you try these, that big cookie sheet might just collect dust!
Ingredients for Small Batch Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Here’s all you need for these dreamy little cookies—measurements are precise because small batches leave no room for error! (Pro tip: Use that leftover egg for scrambled breakfast tomorrow.)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled—no packing!)
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened (leave it out for 30 minutes—no microwaving!)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed (press it into the spoon)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (the real stuff—imitation makes Grandma frown)
- 1 tablespoon beaten egg (about half an egg—whisk first, then measure)
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips (or roughly chopped chocolate if you’re feeling fancy)
See? Told you it was simple. Now grab that bowl—let’s mix!
Equipment You’ll Need
No fancy gadgets required here! Just grab:
- Your trusty air fryer (any model works)
- Small mixing bowls—one for dry, one for wet
- Measuring spoons (that 1/8 tsp matters!)
A silicone spatula is nice for scraping every last bit of dough, but a regular spoon will do in a pinch. That’s it—now let’s make some cookies!
How to Make Small Batch Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Okay, let’s turn that bowl of ingredients into warm, melty cookies! Follow these steps—I promise it’s foolproof (and if you “accidentally” eat a spoonful of dough, I won’t tell).
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
Grab your smallest bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This isn’t the time to eyeball—that 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda makes all the difference! A few whisks until it’s evenly mixed is all you need. Set it aside while you work on the good stuff.
Step 2: Cream Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, mash the softened butter with both sugars until it looks like pale, grainy frosting. No mixer? No problem—a fork and some elbow grease work fine! Stir in the vanilla and that tablespoon of beaten egg until it’s silky smooth. (If it looks a little separated, just keep mixing—it’ll come together.)
Step 3: Combine and Add Chocolate Chips
Now, gently fold the dry mix into the wet with a spatula. Stop when you can’t see flour streaks—overmixing = tough cookies, and we don’t want that! Toss in the chocolate chips (plus a few extra if you’re feeling rebellious). The dough will be thick and a bit sticky—that’s perfect!
Step 4: Air Fry to Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C)—yes, really! It takes just 2-3 minutes but ensures even baking. Roll the dough into 4 equal balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and space them well in the basket—they’ll spread! Cook for 5-7 minutes until golden at the edges. They’ll look soft in the middle but firm up as they cool on the counter for 2 minutes. Pro tip: Peek at 5 minutes—air fryers vary wildly!
Tips for the Best Small Batch Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Listen, I’ve burned my fair share of test batches—so learn from my mistakes! Here’s how to nail these every time:
- Space those dough balls like they’re social distancing—crowding = uneven, sad cookies. Trust me, 4 max per batch!
- Your air fryer lies (okay, varies). Start checking at 5 minutes—edges should be golden but centers still soft. They’ll firm up as they cool on the rack for 2 minutes.
- Resist eating them straight from the basket! Letting them sit for a minute stops the chocolate from burning your tongue (…mostly).
Now go forth and bake—you’ve got this!
Variations and Substitutions
Want to mix things up? Here are my favorite ways to play with this recipe:
- Flour swap: Use gluten-free 1:1 baking flour if needed—just don’t pack it!
- Chocolate fun: Try dark chocolate chunks, chopped nuts, or even mini M&Ms for color.
- Sugar tweaks: Coconut sugar works instead of brown sugar (but they’ll look darker).
- Butter hack: Melted butter works in a pinch—just let it cool slightly before mixing.
Experiment away—that’s the beauty of small batches! If you are looking for more small-batch inspiration, check out this recipe for air fryer cake donuts.
Serving and Storage
Oh, the joy of eating these cookies warm from the air fryer—that melty chocolate is everything! If you somehow have leftovers (rare in my house), toss them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. A quick 30-second zap in the air fryer brings back that just-baked magic. Happy snacking!
Small Batch Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies FAQs
I’ve gotten so many questions about these little cookies—here are the ones that pop up most often (along with my very opinionated answers!):
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! Just double all ingredients exactly—but bake in batches to avoid overcrowding your air fryer basket. Four cookies max at a time keeps them perfectly golden.
Can I use melted butter instead of softened?
You can, but the texture changes slightly. Let it cool first! Melted butter makes thinner, crispier cookies, while softened gives that classic chew. (My heart belongs to softened—Grandma’s rules!)
Why did my cookies turn out flat?
Three likely culprits: butter too warm (should indent slightly when pressed), old baking soda (test it with vinegar—if it fizzes, it’s good), or overmixed dough. Chill the dough for 10 minutes next time if they spread too much.
Can I make these without an egg?
For one cookie emergency, I used 1 tbsp applesauce—it worked but wasn’t quite as rich. For vegan cookies, a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 2 tbsp water) does the trick! Understanding the role of eggs in baking, like their binding properties, can be helpful.
Why preheat the air fryer?
It’s like preheating an oven—ensures even baking from minute one. Skip it, and your first batch might burn on the bottom while the top stays doughy. (Voice of experience here!)
Nutritional Information
These cookies pack about 80 calories each—but hey, we’re counting smiles, not grams! Estimates vary by ingredients (chocolate chip size matters!), so enjoy without stressing. Life’s too short for calculator cookies.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—my secret weapon for instant cookie happiness! Whether it’s a midnight craving or a quick treat for two, these air fryer gems never let me down. Give them a whirl and tag me with your cookie masterpiece—I’d love to see your gooey chocolate victories! If you are looking for savory air fryer meals, try this air fryer beef meatballs recipe.
Print
4 Irresistible Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies in 20 Min
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and easy recipe for small-batch chocolate chip cookies made in an air fryer, perfect for 2-4 servings.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon beaten egg
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until creamy.
- Add the beaten egg to the butter mixture and stir well.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and roll into balls.
- Place the dough balls in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let cool for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American