I've always loved the creamy, nutty flavor of peanut butter, especially when it's baked into warm, chewy cookies. Making Peanut Butter Cookies is one of my favorite after-school activities because it's super easy and fun. The best part is smelling the delicious aroma fill the kitchen as they bake. Plus, sharing them with friends makes snack time way better!
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Why This Recipe Works
- They’re crispy and delicious. You’ll love the crunch of the edge of these homemade peanut butter cookies!
- They’re great to store. If you’re lucky enough to have any as leftovers, you can easily just store them in an airtight container.
- Cooking them in the air fryer makes it a breeze! The air fryer is the perfect way to make this peanut butter cookie recipe because it’s a breeze to clean up!
🥘 Ingredients
Also be sure to check out these Lemon Shortbread Cookies too. They taste fantastic!
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Provides the rich, nutty flavor that defines these classic peanut butter cookies and also contributes to the moist, chewy texture within the crispy exterior.
- Granulated Sugar: Not only sweetens the cookies but also helps them spread and crisp up during baking, creating that irresistible crunchy outer layer.
- Large Egg: Acts as a binding agent, adding moisture and achieving the perfect balance of crispy and chewy in cookies.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Vanilla-Infused: Adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract can give your cookies a subtle, aromatic depth that harmonizes beautifully with the peanut butter.
- Chocolate Chips: You can try adding chocolate chips to your cookies for a classic and irresistible combination.
- Nutty Flavor: Mix chopped nuts into your dough for an extra crunch. Any nuts of your choice will enhance the texture and flavor.
- Alternate Nut Butter Cookies: Swap out the peanut butter for almond butter or cashew butter to explore different nutty tastes in your cookies.
- Sweeter Peanut Butter Cookies: For those with a sweet tooth, consider adding more sugar or even some honey to your mixture for a sweeter delight.
🔪 How To Make Peanut Butter Cookies In The Air Fryer?
Step One: Combine all three ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix until fully combined.
Step Two: Chill your cookie mixture in the fridge for 30 minutes. Using a 1 ½-inch cookie scoop, or heaping tablespoon, scoop the dough onto parchment paper.
Step Three: Using a fork, press the cookie flat, first in one direction, then again from the opposite direction, to make a crosshatch pattern on top.
Step Four: Line the bottom of your air fryer with parchment paper. Be sure to not have extra parchment paper running up the side of the air fryer, or it will get caught by the air and fold over the cookies.
Step Five: Place as many cookies in your air fryer that will fit while giving each cookie a half-inch space. I was able to cook about 4-6 cookies at a time. Set your air fryer at 370 degrees and cook them for 4 minutes before letting them rest in the air fryer for 4 minutes.
Step Six: Each crispy peanut butter cookie should be lightly browned once cooked. Transfer the peanut butter cookies to a cooling tray. Repeat until you’ve used up all your cookie dough. Allow the peanut butter cookies to cool completely on the cooling rack ready to serve.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Use Real Peanut Butter: Natural peanut butter flavor makes the cookies taste way better than the processed peanut butter.
- Type of Peanut Butter: Ideally, you will use smooth peanut butter to make these peanut butter cookies, however, you can use chunky peanut butter or Jiff's crunchy peanut butter if desired. Just be sure to stir the chunky peanut butter well before adding it to the other ingredients.
- Avoid Overbaking: Keep an eye on your cookies and take them out when they're just barely golden around the edges.
💭 FAQs
You have to visually look at these cookies. The tops should be turning a golden brown. If the edges are starting to get dark in color, take them out of the air fryer as soon as possible.
Yes. If you don’t have an air fryer or prefer to use the oven, you can certainly cook these cookies in the oven. Simply preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Place your cookies on prepared baking sheets and cook the cookies for 12-15 minutes, until lightly golden brown on top. Cool cookies completely before enjoying!
Overall, these crispy peanut butter cookies are the perfect treat to enjoy any time of day. Whether you enjoy them fresh from the oven or store them for later, they're sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!
You can! If you want to make the cookie dough ahead of time, just wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer. Let it unthaw, and then you can bake it at a later point in time.
Yes, you can use light brown sugar instead of white sugar in this recipe. Just replace the ¾ cup of granulated sugar with ¾ cup of packed brown sugar. Whether using white or brown sugars in this recipe, the cookies should be just as delicious!
The main ingredients in these cookies are peanut butter, sugar, and egg. Other ingredients like flour, baking soda, baking powder or unsalted butter aren't necessary to achieve the desired result of a crispy, delicious cookie.
Keep your peanut butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week for the best freshness. For longer storage, place the cookies in a sealed container in the fridge; they'll stay fresh for up to two weeks. If your cookies have gone a bit stale, warm them in the oven at 300°F for 5-10 minutes to bring back their chewy texture.
🧂Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a Glass of Milk: Pair these crispy cookies with a cold glass of milk for a classic, comforting snack.
- As a Dessert with Ice Cream: Use the cookies to make a delicious ice cream sandwich by adding a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream between two cookies.
- Gift Them in a Jar: Package the cookies in a cute jar with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Pair with a Cup of Coffee or Tea: Enjoy these cookies with your favorite coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat.
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Crispy Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
- ¾ Cup Sugar
- 1 Large Egg
Instructions
- Combine all three ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix until fully combined.
- Chill your cookie mixture in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Using a 1 ½-inch cookie scoop, or heaping tablespoon, scoop the dough onto parchment paper.
- Using a fork, press the cookie flat, first in one direction, then again from the opposite direction, to make a crosshatch pattern on top.
- Place as many cookies in your air fryer that will fit while giving each cookie a half-inch space. I was able to cook about 4-6 cookies at a time.
- Set your air fryer at 370 degrees and cook them for 4 minutes before letting them rest in the air fryer for 4 minutes. Each crispy peanut butter cookie should be lightly browned once cooked. Transfer the peanut butter cookies to a cooling tray. Repeat until you’ve used up all your cookie dough.
- Allow the peanut butter cookies to cool completely on the cooling rack.
- Once cooled, serve these best peanut butter cookies immediately to enjoy their fresh, irresistible taste.
Notes
Nutrition
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