Name: Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 18 min
Ingredients: 1 cup creamy peanut butter; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg

Save This Recipe

Just drop your email here and We'll send it right away!

Hey there, cookie fans—ever had that sudden urge for something sweet but didn’t want to heat up the entire kitchen? You know how the oven feels like a blast furnace, and suddenly you’re wondering whether a cold snack would do.

That’s when I stumbled on this three-ingredient air fryer peanut butter cookie hack. It’s creamy peanut butter, a scoop of sugar, and an egg—no flour, no giant mixing bowls, no dust storms of confectioners’ sugar.

Why You’ll Love It

Ever wish you could get fresh-baked vibes without hovering over an oven rack? That’s the beauty of these cookies. The air fryer delivers rapid, even heat that crisps the edges while keeping the center soft and chewy. Plus, there’s hardly any cleanup—your mixing bowl doubles as the measuring cup, and the basket just needs a quick wipe.

And let’s be honest: peanut butter cookies are basically a protein snack in disguise. Toss in a few chocolate chips, and you’ve got a treat that hits sweet, salty, and nutty all at once. It’s the kind of recipe that feels indulgent but doesn’t demand an hour of prep or a sink full of dishes. You could argue it’s almost too good to be true, but once you taste that warm, slightly golden edge giving way to a gooey middle, you’ll forgive it for being ridiculously simple.

Timing and Servings

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 7–8 minutes per batch

You’ll end up with about 12–15 cookies, depending on how generous you are with your dough balls. Feeding a crowd? Double the batch and keep the extras warm in the fryer on the lowest setting. They vanish fast, so consider hiding a few for yourself.

Ingredients

1 cup creamy peanut butter (stir natural varieties until smooth)
¾ cup granulated sugar (or swap with brown sugar for a caramel hint)
1 large egg (acts as the glue that holds everything together)

Directions

Combine peanut butter, sugar, and egg in a medium bowl. Stir with a spoon or spatula until the mixture is glossy and uniform—no mixer needed.
Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to portion the dough. Roll into balls and place in the air fryer basket, leaving about an inch between each.
Press each ball gently with a fork in a crisscross pattern. This not only looks classic, it lets the heat reach every crevice.
Set the fryer to 300°F. Slide in the basket and bake for 7–8 minutes, until the edges just begin to take on a light golden hue. Models vary, so peek at minute six if you’re uncertain.
Let the cookies rest in the basket for 2–3 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before indulging.

Variations

Chocolate Chip Twist: Stir in ½ cup mini chocolate chips for melty pockets of sweetness.
Crunch Factor: Swap creamy for crunchy peanut butter to get nutty bits in every bite.
Keto Friendly: Replace sugar with erythritol or monk fruit and choose a sugar-free peanut butter.
Nut-Free Option: Use sunflower seed or almond butter—just watch the texture and tweak sugar if needed.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Room Temp: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to five days. They stay soft and chewy.
Freeze Ahead: Shape dough balls and flash-freeze them on a tray for about an hour. Pop into a freezer bag, then air fry from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the cook time.
Reheat Magic: Warm a few cookies in the fryer at 300°F for 1–2 minutes or give them a 10-second zap in the microwave for that just-baked lift.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter?
Absolutely. Just stir it well so the oils blend back in. Your cookies may spread a touch more, but they’ll still taste fantastic.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?
No problem—bake them at 350°F on a parchment-lined sheet for about 8–10 minutes. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overbake.

How do I get extra crunch?
Chill the dough balls in the fridge for 15 minutes before pressing with a fork. The chill firms up the dough so it spreads less during baking.

Is there a sugar-free method?
Yes—use a cup-for-cup sugar substitute and pick a peanut butter without added sugar. Cook time may shift by a minute, so watch closely the first round.

Conclusion

Next time you’re craving cookies but dreading the oven, reach for your air fryer and three simple ingredients. These peanut butter treats bring golden, chewy goodness to the table in under 15 minutes, with almost no mess. Give them a try, and let me know if they save the day the next time you need a quick sweet fix. Enjoy!