Quick and Easy Air Fryer Reindeer Cookies
Air Fryer Reindeer Cookies are the perfect blend of fun and flavor for your holiday celebrations. Whether you’re baking with kids, looking for a charming Christmas treat, or seeking a creative gift idea, these cookies tick all the boxes. With their adorable reindeer shapes and delightful taste, they’re sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
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I’ve spent decades honing my skills, ensuring that each recipe I share is a testament to my passion for cooking and my commitment to making vegetarian food accessible and enjoyable for all. My Air Fryer Reindeer Cookies are exactly that, and also absolutely delicious! I’m thrilled to share this easy cookie recipe with you, and I’m confident that it will become a cherished addition to your holiday baking repertoire.
Why You Will Love Making Air Fryer Reindeer Cookies
There are so many reasons to fall in love with making these Air Fryer Reindeer Cookies! They’re not just a treat to eat but a joy to create. Here’s why you’ll adore this recipe:
- Quick and Easy: Using an air fryer cuts down baking time, making these cookies a quick treat to whip up.
- Fun Activity: Perfect for a fun baking session with kids or friends. Everyone will love shaping and decorating these cute reindeer.
- Festive and Creative: They are ideal for adding a touch of whimsy to your holiday spread. These reindeer cookies are sure to be a conversation starter.
- Deliciously Different: The unique blend of flavors and the use of air frying give these cookies a special taste that’s different from your typical holiday cookie. The simple ingredients are one’s that you’ll probably already have in your pantry!
- Make Them Your Own: You can get creative with the decorations, making each reindeer cookie unique. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any leftover candy.
- Perfect for Gifting: These cookies make adorable and personalized gifts for friends, teachers, or coworkers during the holiday season.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Reindeer Cookies with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Making these adorable Air Fryer Reindeer Cookies is easier than you might think! Let’s walk through the steps together to create these festive treats.
Preparing the Dough
Start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F (180ºC). In a large mixing bowl, cream together the granulated sugar and softened butter using an electric mixer until they’re soft and fluffy. Then, mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well incorporated. Finally, gently fold in the all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt just until combined.
Transfer your dough mixture from the large bowl to a flat surface and roll it out to about ½ inch thickness. Cut the cookie dough into 2-inch x ½ inch rectangles.
Now, here’s the fun part – use your fingers to form these rectangles into cute reindeer shapes.
Baking in the Air Fryer
Place the shaped cookie dough on your air fryer basket, lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Bake them for about 7 minutes. Once done, transfer them to a cooling rack and let them cool completely.
Decorating (The Fun Part!)
Melt the white chocolate in a bain-marie or a microwave-safe bowl. If using a microwave, heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it’s completely melted and smooth.
Cut mini pretzel twists in half for the antlers. Make two small holes on the sides of each cookie, dip the twisted pretzel halves in melted chocolate, and then insert them into the holes for antlers. Allow the chocolate to set.
Once the pretzel antlers are set, dip the entire reindeer cookie into the melted white chocolate. Set them aside to cool and harden.
Use red and black candy pencils to add details like eyes and a nose.
These cookies not only taste delicious but are also a joy to make. Enjoy the process, and have fun with your decorations!
From oil sprays to muffin cups and from pizza pans to racks, we've got them all, and they make fantastic Christmas presents, too!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
Here are some tips and tricks to make your Air Fryer Reindeer Cookies even more amazing. Trust me, these little nuggets of wisdom can take your cookie game from great to absolutely fantastic!
- Melting Chocolate: When melting your chocolate (or chocolate candy melts), make sure to do it gently. If you’re using a microwave, those 30-second bursts are key to preventing the chocolate from burning. Stir in between each burst to ensure even melting.
- Working with the Dough: If your dough is too sticky, don’t hesitate to dust your hands and the surface with a little flour. This will make it easier to shape your reindeer cookies without the dough sticking everywhere.
- Getting Creative with Decorations: Feel free to personalize your reindeer. You can use different colored candy pencils for the eyes and nose, a red M&M for the nose, candy eyes or mini chocolate chips for the eyes, or even add little scarves using colored frosting. Remember, each reindeer can have its own personality!
- Air Fryer Settings: All air fryers are a bit different, so if you know yours runs hot, adjust the temperature slightly lower. Keep an eye on the cookies the first time you make them to get a feel for how your particular air fryer cooks.
- What if I don’t have an air fryer? No air fryer, no problem! You can bake these cookies in a regular oven. Check out our Reindeer Cookies Recipe for all of our tips and tricks!
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Reindeer Cookies
Got some leftover Air Fryer Reindeer Cookies? No problem! Storing them properly means you can enjoy these treats for a bit longer. Here’s how to keep them fresh and delicious:
- Airtight Containers: The key to keeping your cookies fresh is to store them in an airtight container. This prevents them from going stale and maintains their texture.
- Room Temperature is Best: Store your cookies at room temperature. They’ll stay good for up to a week, which is perfect if you’re planning to snack on them or have guests coming over.
- Freezing: If you’ve made a big batch and want to save some for later, these cookies freeze well. Just wrap them up tightly and pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Reindeer Cookies
Pairing your Air Fryer Reindeer Cookies with the right drinks and snacks can make your holiday treat time even more enjoyable. Here are some quick, delightful pairing ideas:
Warm Beverages for Cozy Vibes
Nothing beats a mug of hot chocolate or spiced apple cider with these cookies. The warm, comforting flavors of these drinks are a perfect match for the sweet crunch of the cookies, making for a cozy, festive snack.
Cold Drinks for a Refreshing Contrast
For a classic, refreshing pairing, try cold milk with these cookies. It’s simple yet satisfying. For adults, a glass of iced coffee can provide a delightful contrast, balancing the sweetness of the cookies with its refreshing bitterness.
Ice Cream for a Decadent Twist
For a more indulgent treat, serve these cookies with a scoop of your favorite ice cream. The contrast between the cold, creamy ice cream and the crisp, warm cookie is an absolute delight.
Savory Companions
To balance the sweetness, consider a cheese platter with a variety of cheeses, nuts, and fruits. This pairing adds a savory touch to your holiday table. Alternatively, a fresh fruit salad with seasonal fruits offers a light and refreshing counterpart to the cookies, enhancing the overall flavor experience.
More Christmas Recipes You Will Love
- Christmas Sugar Cookies
- Christmas Tree Cookies
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- French Toast Casserole for Christmas Morning
- Snowman Cookies
Quick and Easy Air Fryer Reindeer Cookies
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
To assemble:
- 1 cup white chocolate
- ¼ cup mini-pretzels
- Red and black candy pencils
Instructions
For the cookies:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F/180ºC.
- Cream sugar and butter with an electric mixer until soft. Add the egg and vanilla and continue mixing until well incorporated. Add the flour and salt and mix with a spoon just until combined.1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup butter, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt
- Transfer to a working surface and flatten to a ½ inch rectangle. Cut in 2-inch x ½ inch rectangles.
- Form the reindeer shapes with your fingers and place on the AF basket lined with paper and bake at 180ºC for 7 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and let them cool.
- Melt the white chocolate in a bain marie or a microwave-safe bowl in 30 second increments.1 cup white chocolate
- Cut the mini pretzels in half, make two holes in the sides of the cookies, dip the pretzel in the chocolate and place in the holes. Once they dry, dip the reindeers in the chocolate and let them cool.¼ cup mini-pretzels
- Decorate with red and black candy pencils for the eyes and nose. Serve and enjoy!Red and black candy pencils
Notes
-
- Melting Chocolate: When melting your chocolate (or chocolate candy melts), make sure to do it gently. If you’re using a microwave, those 30-second bursts are key to preventing the chocolate from burning. Stir in between each burst to ensure even melting.
- Working with the Dough: If your dough is too sticky, don’t hesitate to dust your hands and the surface with a little flour. This will make it easier to shape your reindeer cookies without the dough sticking everywhere.
- Getting Creative with Decorations: Feel free to personalize your reindeer. You can use different colored candy pencils for the eyes and nose, a red m&m for the nose, candy eyes or mini chocolate chips for the eyes, or even add little scarves using colored frosting. Remember, each reindeer can have its own personality!
- Air Fryer Settings: All air fryers are a bit different, so if you know yours runs hot, adjust the temperature slightly lower. Keep an eye on the cookies the first time you make them to get a feel for how your particular air fryer cooks.
- What if I don’t have an air fryer? No air fryer, no problem! You can bake these cookies in a regular oven. Check out our Reindeer Cookies Recipe for all of our tips and tricks!
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Reindeer Cookies
- Airtight Containers: The key to keeping your cookies fresh is to store them in an airtight container. This prevents them from going stale and maintains their texture.
- Room Temperature is Best: Store your cookies at room temperature. They’ll stay good for up to a week, which is perfect if you’re planning to snack on them or have guests coming over.
- Freezing: If you’ve made a big batch and want to save some for later, these cookies freeze well. Just wrap them up tightly and pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature.
Nutrition
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.
