Air-Fried Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Featured in: Baking

These chocolate crinkle treats are rich and fudgy with a signature cracked exterior. Made with cocoa, flour, sugar, and eggs, the dough is chilled to firm before coating in powdered sugar. Using the air fryer at 325°F yields a slightly crisp outside and soft interior in about 8 minutes. Perfectly sized for an easy batch of 20 servings, these sweet bites combine convenience with classic flavors enhanced by vanilla and optional espresso powder.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:18:00 GMT
Warm, crackled air-fried chocolate crinkle cookies, dusted with powdered sugar, ready for dessert. Save to Pinterest
Warm, crackled air-fried chocolate crinkle cookies, dusted with powdered sugar, ready for dessert. | buddybiteskitchen.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 with a perfect crackled top every time and the air fryer keeps them crisp yet soft inside.

Ingredients

  • Dry Ingredients: 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour, ½ cup (45 g) unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt
  • Wet Ingredients: 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Coating: ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar

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.
A plate of freshly baked air-fried chocolate crinkle cookies, tempting with crispy edges and rich chocolate. Save to Pinterest
A plate of freshly baked air-fried chocolate crinkle cookies, tempting with crispy edges and rich chocolate. | buddybiteskitchen.com

These cookies always bring my family together, especially when fresh and warm from the air fryer.

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

Nutritional Information

Calories: 90, Total Fat: 3 g, Carbohydrates: 15 g, Protein: 1 g per serving

Close-up of perfect air-fried chocolate crinkle cookies, showing their crinkled tops and soft, fudge-like interior. Save to Pinterest
Close-up of perfect air-fried chocolate crinkle cookies, showing their crinkled tops and soft, fudge-like interior. | buddybiteskitchen.com

Air frying these cookies makes baking faster and cleanup easier without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Common Recipe Questions

How do I ensure the cookies get a crinkled appearance?

Chilling the dough before air frying helps create the signature cracked tops by slowing the spread and allowing cracks to form as they bake.

What coating is used for the cookies?

The dough balls are generously coated in powdered sugar before cooking, giving a sweet and textured exterior.

Can I add flavor twists to these treats?

Yes, swapping vanilla extract with orange or peppermint extract or adding espresso powder to the dry mix enhances the flavor profile.

What temperature and time are recommended for cooking?

Air fry at 325°F (165°C) for 7-8 minutes until the tops are set and crackled, resulting in a slightly crisp texture.

How should these treats be stored?

Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and texture.

Air-Fried Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Rich and fudgy chocolate crinkles with a crisp exterior made easily in the air fryer.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
8 minutes
Total Time
28 minutes
Created By Max Buddyfield

Recipe Category Baking

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Recipe Yield 20 Number of Servings

Dietary Preferences Suitable for Vegetarians, Free of Dairy

What You'll Need

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

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Combine dry ingredients: Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until evenly mixed.

Step 02

Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the sugar and vegetable oil together until just combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.

Step 03

Form dough: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a sticky dough forms.

Step 04

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

Step 05

Prepare air fryer: Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or a silicone liner to prevent sticking.

Step 06

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

Step 07

Arrange cookies: Place the coated dough balls in the air fryer basket, spacing them adequately to allow airflow; bake in batches if necessary.

Step 08

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

Step 09

Cool cookies: Let cookies rest in the basket for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tools You'll Need

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

Allergy Warnings

Review each ingredient carefully for allergens. If unsure, consult with a healthcare provider.
  • Contains eggs and wheat (gluten). May contain traces of nuts or soy depending on ingredient brands.

Nutritional Info (per serving)

These details are for general information only. Always consult a healthcare professional for dietary concerns.
  • Calorie Count: 90
  • Fat Content: 3 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 15 grams
  • Protein Content: 1 grams