Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies w/Apple (16 Minute Recipe)
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These Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies are bursting with tender bits of apple and warm spices. And because of the wholesome ingredients, you can enjoy them anytime of day — including first thing in the morning! Top each air fryer breakfast cookie with a simple glaze to create an extra sweet treat!
If you’re new to the world of air fryer cookies, you’re going to be in love! Once you make the cookie dough, it’s all about letting the air-fryer basket take over to make the best homemade cookies, ever.
I’ve made this air fryer oatmeal cookies recipe for years, and I always find that it’s the perfect balance of time, effort, and flavor.
Plus, this new recipe also means that you can enjoy fresh cookies in a short bake time by using the hot heat of the air fryer!
What I love about these simple cookies is that they take less time than over cookies, but still have that delicious chewy texture that everyone loves.
Who knew that air frying the dough would result in cookie perfection? The outside of the cookie has a good crunch and the middle is nice and soft.
It’s the perfect treat for you to whip up the next time you’re craving an afternoon snack! Never deny this recipe when that craving strikes – and have a glass of milk handy, too!
Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies
Enjoy the comforting scents of fresh apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg as they fill every corner of your kitchen.
Not only are these air fryer oatmeal cookies melt-in-your-mouth delicious, but they go from prep to plate in under 20 minutes!
While the flavors are perfect for fall afternoons and winter holidays, you can easily whip up a batch throughout the year.
All you need is a single apple and an armful of pantry staples.
If you enjoy this air fryer cookie recipe, try this giant pecan caramel version next!
Apple cookies with a crispy streusel topping are just as irresistible. Or, make this version with applesauce, raisins, and chopped pecans.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Apples – Choose a variety that is extra sweet and won’t turn to mush when baked.
Honeycrisp, Gala, and Fuji are popular choices, and Jonagold and Braeburn are lovely if you can find them locally.
If you prefer something a little more tart, Granny Smith is the way to go. - Oats – Stick with old fashioned or rolled oats when making oatmeal cookies in the air fryer — or any other way!
Instant oats can be used in a pinch, but your treats will be a bit more chewy. Steel-cut varieties should be avoided entirely. - Spices – You’ve got options with these air fryer oatmeal cookies!
I like a blend of cinnamon and apple pie spice, which is a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom.
If you’re sensitive to any of the spices in the mix, use any combination of the individual spices in place of it. Or, omit the spice mix and use just cinnamon! - Glaze – Whip up a simple mixture of powdered sugar and heavy whipping cream.
It’s sweet and creamy without overpowering the natural sweetness of the air fryer breakfast cookie.
But if extra sweet is what you’re aiming for, you can swap it for homemade caramel sauce instead!
You could also add some of your favorite mix-ins to your next batch. Semisweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chip or dark chocolate chips, or anything else that you want to add to these chewy cookies.
You can even make a big batch and have different flavors! Now you can see why these are some of my favorite cookies to make!
Tips for Making Oatmeal Cookies in the Air Fryer
- Chill dough between batches.
This prevents each air fryer oatmeal breakfast cookie from spreading too much and guarantees crispy edges with a soft, chewy center.
- Time-saving tip:
Scoop out all of the dough at once onto a parchment-lined plate.
It will take up less space in the refrigerator than a mixing bowl, and you can transfer a new batch of oatmeal cookies to the air fryer in seconds!
- Glaze too thick?
Whisk in a little extra cream until it reaches the right consistency. If it’s too thin, simply add more powdered sugar.
- Mess-free drizzling.
Pour the glaze into a piping bag or create your own by snipping off the bottom corner of a small Ziploc bag.
You’ll have the whole batch of air fryer oatmeal cookies glazed in no time — and without splatters all over the counter!
Air Fryer Cookie Recipe FAQ
It’s up to you, but I highly recommend it! It’s an easy way to prevent sticking and your treats are less likely to spread.
Just be sure to purchase parchment inserts designed for air fryer baskets. Or, cut parchment to size and poke a few holes so the air can still circulate.
And always use it on the crisper tray and not in the bottom of the basket!!
You bet! An air fryer is simply a miniature convection oven, which is why it’s so versatile.
It’s especially helpful when you want to make a smaller batch of treats or don’t feel like heating up your whole house with the oven.
You sure can! Increase the temperature to 350°F and see how they look after 8 or 9 minutes.
Air Fryer Breakfast Cookie Storage
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days or chilled for up to 1 week, whichever you prefer.
You can also freeze air fryer oatmeal breakfast cookie extras for up to 1 month. Simply thaw on the counter until soft.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies w/Apple (16 Minute Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups Oats
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup apple sauce, Unsweetened
- 1 egg
- 1 apple, Chopped
Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners Sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium bowl and set it aside.
- In a separate large bowl combine the flour, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Whisk it together and set aside.
- Next, take the butter bowl and add the apple pie spice, vanilla extract, and brown sugar to it. Mix it well. Add in the applesauce and the egg.
- Finally combine the two bowls. Add the apple mixture to the dry ingredient bowl. Mixing everything thoroughly. Fold in the chopped apple pieces.
- Preheat air fryer to 315 degrees. Line air fryer basket with parchment paper.
- Using a small ice cream scoop or a spoon, scoop the cookies out one by one making each cookie ball about two inches wide.
- Place each ball of cookie dough on to the parchment paper, leaving about an inch and a half of space between them. It’s important to leave that space because they do spread out. You will probably have to do multiple batches. I was able to fit in six cookies at a time.
- In between batches place the bowl of uncooked cookie dough in the fridge so that it stays chilled.
- Air Fry cookies for about 6-8 minutes. Repeat until all cookies are made.
- Remove cookies from basket and place on cookie rack to cool.
To make glaze
- Combine confectioners sugar and heavy whipping cream in a bowl, mix well. If you’d like it thinner add more heavy whipping cream, if you’d like it thicker add more sugar. Once cookies are completely cool, drizzle glaze over top of them.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published September 2021, updated and republished October 2024
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These were absolutely delicious! Thank you!
Hi CK,
We are so happy you enjoyed them!
TSRI Team Member,
Holli
Absolutely delicious! These Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies from The Slow Roasted Italian are a hit in my household.
Hi Giselle!
We’re so glad you enjoyed!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
Donna’s oatmeal cookies are a breeze to make. I swapped the apple with blueberries, and they were still amazing! Highly recommend this recipe.
Hi Kimberly!
We’re so glad that you enjoyed the recipe!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn