Air-Fried Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Featured in: Sweet Comforts

These chocolate crinkle cookies feature a rich, fudgy center and a delicate cracked surface achieved through air frying. Combining cocoa, flour, sugar, and eggs into a sticky dough chilled for optimal texture, they are rolled in powdered sugar before air frying at 325°F. The result is a batch of tender, slightly crisp treats perfect for dessert or sharing. Variations include adding espresso powder or switching vanilla for other extracts to enhance flavor. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to five days.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 15:06:00 GMT
Air-Fried Chocolate Crinkle Cookies: A close-up view of crackled, powdered sugar-dusted, homemade cookies. Pin
Air-Fried Chocolate Crinkle Cookies: A close-up view of crackled, powdered sugar-dusted, homemade cookies. | panpatriot.com

Rich, fudgy chocolate cookies with a signature crinkled appearance and a slightly crisp exterior, made effortlessly in the air fryer.

I love how these cookies come out perfectly crinkled with minimal effort using the air fryer.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: 1 cup (125 g)
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder: ½ cup (45 g)
  • Baking powder: 1 tsp
  • Salt: ¼ tsp
  • Granulated sugar: 1 cup (200 g)
  • Vegetable oil: ¼ cup (60 ml)
  • Large eggs: 2
  • Pure vanilla extract: 1 tsp
  • Powdered sugar: ½ cup (60 g)

Instructions

Step 1:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Step 2:
In a large bowl, beat sugar and oil until combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
Step 3:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a sticky dough forms.
Step 4:
Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up (or up to 2 hours for best results).
Step 5:
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or use a silicone liner.
Step 6:
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and coat generously in powdered sugar.
Step 7:
Arrange balls in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each (bake in batches if needed).
Step 8:
Air fry at 325°F (165°C) for 7&8 minutes, or until cookies are set with crackled tops.
Step 9:
Allow cookies to cool in the basket for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Warm, air-fried Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, picture-perfect with a fudgy interior and delicious aroma. Pin
Warm, air-fried Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, picture-perfect with a fudgy interior and delicious aroma. | panpatriot.com

This recipe always brings smiles during family gatherings and holiday baking sessions.

Notes

For extra flavor, add ½ teaspoon instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients. Try swapping vanilla extract for orange or peppermint extract for a twist. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls, whisk, hand mixer or spoon, measuring cups and spoons, air fryer, parchment paper or silicone liner, wire rack

Allergen Information

Contains eggs and wheat (gluten). May contain traces of nuts or soy depending on ingredient brands check all labels if allergies are a concern.

Freshly baked Air-Fried Chocolate Crinkle Cookies served on a wire rack, ready for a sweet treat. Pin
Freshly baked Air-Fried Chocolate Crinkle Cookies served on a wire rack, ready for a sweet treat. | panpatriot.com

These cookies are a wonderful treat that combines ease and rich flavor for any occasion.

Recipe Questions

What temperature is best for air frying these cookies?

Air frying at 325°F (165°C) ensures the cookies cook evenly, developing a crisp exterior while keeping a fudgy center.

Why should the dough be chilled before air frying?

Chilling firms the dough, preventing excessive spreading and helping maintain the signature crinkled appearance.

Can I substitute any ingredients in the dry mix?

You can add ingredients like instant espresso powder for richer flavor, or swap cocoa powder with alternative types to vary tastes.

How do I prevent cookies from sticking to the air fryer basket?

Line the basket with parchment paper or a silicone liner before arranging cookie dough balls to avoid sticking.

What is the yield of this batch?

This method produces approximately 20 cookies depending on portion size.

How long can these cookies be stored?

Keep cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days to maintain freshness.

Air-Fried Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Fudgy chocolate crinkle delights with a crisp exterior, made simply in the air fryer.

Prep duration
20 min
Cooking duration
8 min
Total duration
28 min

Category Sweet Comforts

Difficulty Easy

Origin American

Yield 20 Servings

Dietary requirements Vegetarian, Dairy-free

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

01 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 1 teaspoon baking powder
04 ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

01 1 cup granulated sugar
02 ¼ cup vegetable oil
03 2 large eggs
04 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Coating

01 ½ cup powdered sugar

Directions

Step 01

Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

Step 02

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat granulated sugar with vegetable oil until combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 03

Form Dough: Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a sticky dough forms.

Step 04

Chill Dough: Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours to firm.

Step 05

Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or a silicone liner.

Step 06

Shape and Coat Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and coat generously in powdered sugar.

Step 07

Arrange for Cooking: Place dough balls in the air fryer basket, spacing them apart. Bake in batches if necessary.

Step 08

Air Fry: Cook at 325°F (165°C) for 7 to 8 minutes, until cookies set and develop crackled tops.

Step 09

Cool: Allow cookies to cool in the basket for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Necessary tools

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Hand mixer or spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Air fryer
  • Parchment paper or silicone liner
  • Wire rack

Allergy information

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult with healthcare providers if you're uncertain.
  • Contains eggs and wheat (gluten). May contain traces of nuts or soy depending on brands.

Nutrition facts (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Calories: 90
  • Fat: 3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Protein: 1 g