Air Fryer Heart Shaped Cookies
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Air Fryer Heart Shaped Cookies are my favorite way to bake something sweet without turning on the oven. The vanilla dough bakes up soft and tender with golden edges in just minutes. Smooth icing creates a beautiful finish while sprinkles add festive color. They’re quick, easy, and so pretty you’ll want to make them for every occasion.
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I make them for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, bridal showers, and kids’ parties because they’re perfect for gifting and travel beautifully in tins or boxes. They’re festive, fun to decorate, and everyone loves receiving homemade cookies. They stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for 2 to 3 months.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Heart Shaped Cookies with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
I’ve been air frying these heart sugar cookies for years, and it saves so much time but the result’s just as perfect and satisfying.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, start by creaming together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy using a hand mixer or stand mixer.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
Roll Out the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness using a rolling pin. You want the dough just thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to bake evenly in the air fryer.
SERIOUSLY GOOD
DESSERTS!
Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Lemon Pound Cake
∙ Key Lime Bars
∙ Boston Cream Pie
∙ No-Bake Chocolate Lasagna
∙ Raspberry Cheesecake
...and much more!
Cut Out the Hearts
Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cookies and place them on a lined air fryer basket. A square parchment paper or an air fryer basket liner works great for this since the cookies won’t stick and cleanup is so easy.
Bake in the Air Fryer
Bake in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 5 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Don’t overbake them or they’ll lose that soft, tender texture.
Make the Icing
While the cookies cool, prepare the icing by whisking together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth in a mixing bowl. Then, divide into two bowls, and add red food coloring to one of them to create a red icing.
Decorate the Cookies
Once the cookies are fully cooled, decorate with icing and sprinkles as desired. There’s no wrong or right here, so follow your heart and be as creative as you can be. Let the icing set before serving or storing so it doesn’t smudge when you touch or stack them.
Serve and enjoy!
If you’re sharing and taking these cookies to a party, bake sale, or giving them as gifts, wait till the icing’s full set before packing. Once set, layer them in an airtight container or a cookie tin with parchment between each layer so the icing doesn’t stick or smudge.
They travel best at room temperature, so you don’t need to worry about keeping them cold. Just pack them snugly but not too tight, so they don’t shift around and crack during transport. For gifting, use a sturdy gift box to keep them looking presentable and special.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
Decoration:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Red food coloring
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a soft dough forms.2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cookies and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 5 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
- While the cookies cool, prepare the icing by whisking together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Divide into two bowls, and add red food coloring to one of them for a pink icing option.1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, Red food coloring
- Once the cookies are fully cooled, decorate with icing and sprinkles as desired. Let the icing set before serving or storing.Sprinkles
Notes
Nutrition
SERIOUSLY GOOD
DESSERTS!
Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Lemon Pound Cake
∙ Key Lime Bars
∙ Boston Cream Pie
∙ No-Bake Chocolate Lasagna
∙ Raspberry Cheesecake
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
You can leave your leftover cookies at room temperature for up to 3 days. They’ll stay fresh even if you don’t refrigerate them, as long as you keep them covered in an airtight container or a cookie jar.
To keep the icing intact, make sure it’s totally set and slip a piece of parchment between layers if you’re stacking them. Keep the container away from direct sunlight so the icing doesn’t melt.
For longer storage, flash-freeze them in a single layer on a freezer-safe sheet pan until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag for 2 to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving, and the texture stays just as soft.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Heart Shaped Cookies
Enjoy these cookies on their own or pair them with hot chocolate, coffee, or a cold glass of milk. You can also serve them alongside fresh strawberries and whipped cream for a simple Valentine’s Day dessert spread.
If you’re hosting a brunch, they’re perfect next to fruit salad, yogurt parfaits, or even a cheese and cracker board. They also make a beautiful addition to any dessert table with brownies, cupcakes, or other Valentine’s treats.
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