Name: Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup rolled oats; 3 tablespoons maple syrup; 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon cinnamon; 2-3 tablespoons chocolate chips; 2-3 tablespoons chopped pecans or walnuts; 2-3 tablespoons raisins or dried cranberries

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Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies are this amazing treat that I make when we want something sweet but healthy. You can make them with just some basic ingredients like oats and maple syrup. Why do I love this recipe? It has only four main ingredients, but it tastes incredible. Then you get these chewy, soft cookies that are ready in minutes. But the best part is how simple it is – we don’t need any butter or eggs. Also, it uses less energy than heating up the big oven, so it saves time and money.

Why You’ll Fall In Love With These Oatmeal Cookies

These Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies will win your heart for many reasons. First, they’re incredibly simple to make with just four basic ingredients. The air fryer cooks them quickly and evenly, giving you warm cookies in under 10 minutes. You can customize them easily by adding chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit. They’re also healthier than traditional cookies since they use maple syrup instead of refined sugar and applesauce instead of butter. Plus, they’re naturally dairy-free and can be made gluten-free with certified oats. Finally, the small batch size means you won’t be tempted to eat dozens of cookies!

Ingredients for Making Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies

Main Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
¼ teaspoon baking soda

Optional Additions

¼ teaspoon cinnamon
2-3 tablespoons chocolate chips
2-3 tablespoons chopped pecans or walnuts
2-3 tablespoons raisins or dried cranberries

How To Make Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies

Start by adding your rolled oats to a blender or food processor. Pulse them for 5-6 seconds to break them down slightly. You want a mix of flour-like bits and whole oats, but don’t overprocess them into complete flour. The texture should still have some chunky pieces.

Transfer the processed oats to a medium mixing bowl. Add the maple syrup, unsweetened applesauce, and baking soda. If you’re using cinnamon or any add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, add those now too. Mix everything together until well combined and the mixture holds together.

Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper. Make sure the paper doesn’t block the air vents. Divide your cookie dough into 7 portions for smaller cookies or 3-4 portions for larger ones. Roll each portion into a ball with your hands, then flatten and shape it into a cookie. Place them in the lined basket, leaving some space between each cookie.

Set your air fryer to 325°F (163°C). Cook the cookies for 4-6 minutes until they’re slightly golden on top. Don’t worry if they look underdone – they’ll continue cooking from residual heat. Remove the basket and let the cookies cool for at least 10 minutes before touching them. This cooling time is crucial for the cookies to set properly.

After 10 minutes, transfer the cookies to a cooling rack or enjoy them while they’re still warm. They’ll have a chewy texture with slightly crispy edges.

Expert Tips For Success

The key to great Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies is not overprocessing the oats. You want some texture remaining, not oat flour. Pulse briefly and check the consistency frequently.

Don’t skip the cooling time in the basket. The cookies will look underdone when you first remove them, but they need those 10 minutes to finish setting. Moving them too early will cause them to fall apart.

Use parchment paper to prevent sticking, but trim it so it doesn’t block airflow. You can also lightly spray the basket with cooking oil if you prefer.

Make sure your maple syrup is pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup. The real thing provides better flavor and binding properties for the cookies.

If your mixture seems too dry, add an extra tablespoon of applesauce. If it’s too wet, add a few more processed oats to balance it out.

Variations

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies: Add 3 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips to the base recipe. The smaller chips distribute better than regular-sized ones.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies: Replace 1 tablespoon of applesauce with 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter. Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor.

Spiced Oatmeal Cookies: Include ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg, and a tiny pinch of cloves for warm, cozy flavors.

Cranberry Walnut Cookies: Add 2 tablespoons each of dried cranberries and chopped walnuts for a fruity, nutty combination.

Banana Oatmeal Cookies: Replace the applesauce with mashed ripe banana for natural sweetness and moisture.

Great Add-Ins for Oatmeal Cookies

The beauty of these cookies lies in their versatility. Chocolate chips are always a hit – try mini chips, dark chocolate chunks, or even white chocolate chips. For nuts, chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds add great crunch and flavor.

Dried fruits work wonderfully too. Raisins are classic, but dried cranberries, chopped dates, or dried blueberries bring different flavors. You can also try shredded coconut for tropical flair.

For extra spice, consider adding vanilla extract (just ½ teaspoon), a pinch of ginger, or even a tiny amount of cardamom. Seeds like chia or flax can boost the nutrition without changing the taste much.

Don’t add more than 3-4 tablespoons total of add-ins, or the cookies might not hold together properly.

Storing Leftover Oatmeal Cookies

Store your cooled Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They’ll stay soft and chewy if the container seals well.

For longer storage, freeze the cookies for up to 2 months. Place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before eating.

You can also freeze the cookie dough portions before cooking. Form the balls, place them on a parchment-lined tray, and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and cook directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the cooking time.

If your stored cookies lose their softness, warm them in the air fryer at 300°F for 1-2 minutes to refresh them.

FAQS

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Yes, you can use quick oats, but the texture will be different. Quick oats break down more during processing, so you’ll get a smoother, less chewy cookie. If using quick oats, pulse them for only 2-3 seconds instead of 5-6.

Why do my cookies fall apart when I try to move them?
This usually happens when the cookies haven’t cooled long enough or the mixture was too dry. Make sure to let them cool in the basket for the full 10 minutes. If the dough seems crumbly before cooking, add an extra tablespoon of applesauce to help bind it.

Can I make these cookies without an air fryer?
Absolutely! You can bake these in a regular oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and watch for light golden edges. The air fryer just makes them faster and uses less energy.