Easy Air Fryer Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Rich and fudgy, these Air Fryer Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are a treat that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat. Perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings, these cookies are a breeze to make. Whether it’s for a festive Christmas time gathering or a simple weeknight dessert, this recipe promises delicious cookies that are both quick and easy to prepare.

A stack of air fryer chocolate crinkle cookies with powdered sugar.

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Why You Will Love Making This Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

  • Quick and convenient, perfect for busy bakers.
  • A unique twist on a classic cookie recipe.
  • No need to preheat an oven, thanks to the air fryer.
  • Give into your chocolate craving! These cookies have a fudgy and soft texture, similar to a brownie.
  • Chocolate cookies are a huge hit at holiday parties and gatherings. Perfect for any occasion!

What Ingredients Do I Need?

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Ingredients for chocolate crinkle cookies on a tray.
Great Present Ideas
Sizzle to Success: Must-Have Accessories for Your Air Fryer

From oil sprays to muffin cups and from pizza pans to racks, we've got them all, and they make fantastic Christmas presents, too!

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How to Make Air Fryer Chocolate Crinkle Cookies With Step-By-Step Instructions

A full printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

Mixing the Dough

Start by taking a large mixing bowl and combining the unsweetened cocoa powder with granulated sugar and vegetable oil.

A white bowl filled with cocoa powder next to a cup of coffee.
Combine cocoa powder and sugar.
A white bowl filled with chocolate and a cup of coffee.
Add oil and mix to combine.
A chocolate cake in a bowl with an egg in it.
Beat in eggs and add vanilla.

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. This mixture should look glossy and well-combined.

Combining Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, stirring until the dough comes together. It will be thick and should hold together well, which is perfect for rolling into balls later.

Chilling

Cover your dough and let it chill in the fridge. This step is crucial as it makes the dough easier to handle and helps the cookies bake up with that perfect crinkle top.

When the dough is nearly finished chilling, you can get your air fryer ready. Set it to 320°F/160°C and line the basket with air fryer parchment paper.

Rolling and Baking

Once chilled, use an ice cream scoop, cookie scoop, or spoon to form dough balls. Place powdered sugar into a small bowl and then roll the balls generously in the confectioners’ sugar.

Someone scooping cookie batter in a cookie scoop.
Once the dough has chilled, scoop it into balls.
Chocolate cookie dough in a bowl of powdered sugar.
Roll the cookie dough ball in the flour mixture.

Arrange them in the air fryer basket, not too close to each other, and bake cookies until they spread and showcase their characteristic cracks.

Chocolate crinkle cookies in an air fryer with powdered sugar.
Place the cookie dough balls in the air fryer basket an inch apart.
Chocolate crinkle cookies in the air fryer basket.
Bake until you see the cracks appear, approximately 6 minutes.

Let them cool slightly in the basket before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Now, you’re ready to enjoy these fudgy, delightful cookies!

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

  • Dough Consistency: The consistency of your cookie dough is key. If it’s too sticky to handle after chilling, don’t hesitate to chill it a bit longer. The firmer the dough, the easier it will be to roll and the less it will spread, giving you that perfect crinkle look.
  • Sugar Coating: When it comes to rolling your dough balls in powdered sugar, the more the merrier. This isn’t just for taste—it’s what gives the cookies their distinctive crinkled appearance. The sugar also caramelizes slightly, adding a deliciously crisp outer layer.
  • Air Fryer Tips: Every air fryer is a little different, so it’s important to know yours. If this is your first time making cookies in it, keep a close eye on them to prevent over-baking. They might cook faster or slower depending on your model.
  • Cooling: Let the cookies cool for a few minutes in the air fryer basket before moving them. This allows them to set and makes them easier to transfer to a wire rack without breaking. Once on the rack, let them cool completely—they will continue to set as they cool, ensuring the perfect texture inside and out.
  • Make-Ahead: You can prepare the dough and keep it refrigerated for up to 2 days before you plan to bake the cookies. Great if you’re doing a cookie-a-thon for Christmas!
  • Is it possible to make these cookies without an air fryer? Yes, you can bake them in a conventional oven. Check out our post for oven baked Chocolate Crinkle Cookies for all of our tips and tricks.
  • Can I add chocolate chips to the dough? Certainly! Fold in a handful of chocolate chips after the dough is mixed for an extra chocolatey treat.
A stack of air fried chocolate crinkle cookies with powdered sugar.

How to Store Leftover Crinkle Cookies

  • On the counter: Once the cookies have cooled completely, transfer them to an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to a week at room temperature.
  • Keep them soft: To keep the cookies soft, you can add a slice of bread to the container. The cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, keeping them chewy.
  • Freeze: If you’ve made a big batch, these cookies can also be frozen. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy your cookies from the freezer, let them thaw at room temperature on a wire rack to prevent any sogginess from condensation.
Chocolate crinkle cookies with powdered sugar.

What to Serve with Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

It’s quite possible to munch your way through a batch of air fried chocolate crinkle cookies on their own but try them with my suggestions to take them to another level.

A Perfect Pairing with Ice Cream

Imagine tucking into a warm chocolate crinkle cookie with a scoop of your favorite ice cream. The contrast of the warm, fudgy cookie with the cold, creamy ice cream is a match made in dessert heaven.

Coffee or Hot Chocolate

For those cooler evenings or when you’re settling down after a meal, why not brew a fresh pot of coffee or make a mug of hot chocolate? The rich flavors of the cookies are complemented beautifully by the warmth and bitterness of coffee or the sweet luxury of hot chocolate.

Milk – A Classic Choice

Sometimes, you just can’t beat the classic combination of cookies and milk. Whether you’re a dunker or a sipper, the creamy goodness of milk alongside the intense chocolate flavor of the crinkle cookies is sure to please everyone.

As a Gift

If you’re heading to a holiday party or looking for a sweet way to say thank you, these air fryer cookies wrapped up in a cute box or tin make for a thoughtful and delicious gift. Pair these Christmas cookies with a card or a festive ribbon for that extra touch of cheer.

Chocolate crinkle cookies on a baking sheet.

More Cookie Recipes For You To Try

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Easy Air Fryer Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Rich and fudgy, these Air Fryer Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are a treat that's as delightful to look at as it is to eat. Perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings, these cookies are a breeze to make. Whether it's for a festive Christmas time gathering or a simple weeknight dessert, this recipe promises delicious cookies that are both quick and easy to prepare.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time6 minutes
Total Time16 minutes
Servings36 servings
Calories40
Course: cookies
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup confectioners' sugar

Instructions

  • In a medium mixing bowl, mix together cocoa, sugar, and vegetable oil. Next, beat in your egg one at a time until they are combined. Then, stir in vanilla extract.
    ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 cup white sugar, ¼ cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • In a separate mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Then gradually stir them into the bowl of wet ingredients and mix thoroughly together.
    1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Cover your dough and place it in the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 320°F/160°C.
  • Line the basket with air fryer parchment paper (it has holes in it to allow the flow of air to circulate). Then, using a scoop, scoop the cookie dough into balls of approximately 1½ tablespoons, and roll the sticky dough balls in powdered sugar, until covered. Now, place them in the air fryer basket, approximately 1½ inches apart.
    ¼ cup confectioners' sugar
  • Air fry the cookie balls until the cracks appear. Let the cookies cool for a couple of minutes in the basket, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your delicious chocolate cookies cooked in your air fryer!

Notes

  1. Dough Consistency: The consistency of your cookie dough is key. If it’s too sticky to handle after chilling, don’t hesitate to chill it a bit longer. The firmer the dough, the easier it will be to roll and the less it will spread, giving you that perfect crinkle look.
  2. Sugar Coating: When it comes to rolling your dough balls in powdered sugar, the more the merrier. This isn’t just for taste—it’s what gives the cookies their distinctive crinkled appearance. The sugar also caramelizes slightly, adding a deliciously crisp outer layer.
  3. Air Fryer Tips: Every air fryer is a little different, so it’s important to know yours. If this is your first time making cookies in it, keep a close eye on them to prevent over-baking. They might cook faster or slower depending on your model.
  4. Cooling: Let the cookies cool for a few minutes in the air fryer basket before moving them. This allows them to set and makes them easier to transfer to a wire rack without breaking. Once on the rack, let them cool completely—they will continue to set as they cool, ensuring the perfect texture inside and out.
  5. Make-Ahead: You can prepare the dough and keep it refrigerated for up to 2 days before you plan to bake the cookies. Great if you’re doing a cookie-a-thon for Christmas!
  6. Is it possible to make these cookies without an air fryer? Yes, you can bake them in a conventional oven. Check out our post for oven baked Chocolate Crinkle Cookies for all of our tips and tricks.
  7. Can I add chocolate chips to the dough? Certainly! Fold in a handful of chocolate chips after the dough is mixed for an extra chocolatey treat.

Storage Tips

  • On the counter: Once the cookies have cooled completely, transfer them to an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to a week at room temperature.
  • Keep them soft: To keep the cookies soft, you can add a slice of bread to the container. The cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, keeping them chewy.
  • Freeze: If you’ve made a big batch, these cookies can also be frozen. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy your cookies from the freezer, let them thaw at room temperature on a wire rack to prevent any sogginess from condensation.

Nutrition

Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 287mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

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Recipe Rating




13 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    It’s a eeally good recipe! When Ibbaked it for the first time. It was soo perfect and there’s a balance of outside crunch and chewy, moist goodness inside. My husband and 3-yr old finished them off in 2 days! I tried to double the recipe the 2nd time but I got a very dry dough and it didn’t spread as it did the 1st time. Could be too much flour? I tried saving it by putting in 3tbsp of milk but it was unsavable 😔.. lesson learned, just make it as in the original amount from the recipe😅

  2. 5 stars
    I love cooking with my Air Fryer, but I’ve never made cookies in it. So the thought that I could is what caught my eye about this recipe. So cool! Yummy, chocolatey, and so delish! I’m making another batch of these for my neighborhood Christmas cookie exchange next week.

  3. 5 stars
    The cookies are soft and chocolatey with the perfect crinkle, and the air fryer makes them so quick to bake. My family loved them, and they’re already asking for more. Definitely making another batch!

    1. That’s nice to hear, Paula! The air fryer is such a big help to make these perfectly baked cookies!

  4. 5 stars
    Just letting you know that recipe is spot on! Love how moist the crinkle inside but crunchy on the outside. The balance of flavor is really good! I just added a little bit of chocolate in mine because I sooo love sweets!

    I’ll make more of this V-day and will gift it to friends and fam. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

    1. You’re very welcome and thank you for making this recipe, Katie! They will be perfect for V-day and for sharing with your loved ones.

  5. 5 stars
    I made it last night and it was my first time baking crinkles in the air fryer. It turned out really good. It turned out a little crispy on the outside but the inside was just chewy and perfectly baked!