Easy Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies
If you’re looking for an easy way to make a small batch of oatmeal cookies without turning on the oven, these air fryer oatmeal cookies are the perfect solution. They’re quick (just 6 minutes in the air fryer), use simple pantry staples, and make only 6 cookies; great when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want a full dozen sitting on the counter.
As a long-time food blogger and former meal prep business owner, I’ve made hundreds of cookie recipes, and these are a personal favorite. I’ve always loved the chewy texture and cozy flavor of oatmeal cookies, and now that I make them in the air fryer, they’ve become a go-to when I need a quick treat or want to test a new variation. If you love oatmeal cookies as much as I do, you’ll love how easy and satisfying they are.
Love this recipe? Keep your air fryer out and try one of these other easy air fryer desserts next: Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies, Air Fryer Apples, or Air Fryer Pears. They’re quick, cozy, and made with simple ingredients, just like these cookies!
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Ingredient spotlight and substitutions
- Unsweetened applesauce – help get that tender chewy oatmeal cookie consistency without butter. You could also use pumpkin puree.
- Ground flax – ground flax mixed with the applesauce replaces the eggs in this recipe keeping it vegan and egg free!
- Oat flour or gluten free flour – I typically keep oat flour on hand (you can make your own by grinding up oats in your high speed blender). The oat flour or gluten free flour helps to create the structure in the cookies so they don’t fall apart after baking.
- Coconut sugar – coconut sugar adds natural sweetness without being too sweet. You could also use brown sugar.
- Rolled oats – What’s an oatmeal cookie without oats? Rolled oats keep their texture as they bake but still create tender and soft cookies.
- Tahini, peanut butter or almond butter (use whatever you have on hand) –this replaces the butter in this recipe to ensure they turn out soft and tender.
- Dairy free chocolate chips – you can use chocolate chips or chunks in this recipe.
How to make oatmeal cookies in the air fryer
In a large bowl, combine the apple sauce and ground flax. Stir well. Add the oat flour, baking powder and salt to the ground flax mixture, stirring well to incorporate. Add the rolled oats and coconut sugar and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined. Add the nut butter (tahini, almond butter, peanut butter). I like to wait to add this till last to give the ground flax as much time as possible to absorb the liquid from the applesauce. Fold in the chocolate chips. Add a piece of parchment to the air fryer basket. Cut holes in the parchment to allow air flow. Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop out the dough onto the parchment paper, making 6 evenly sized cookies. Place the cookies in the air fryer leaving some room around each cookie. Press the cookies down a bit (they do not spread). It helps if you wet your hand lightly so the dough doesn’t stick. Bake at 350F for 6 minutes.
After baking, open the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly so you don’t burn your fingers grabbing them. Enjoy hot or cold.
Tips for success
- Make holes in the parchment: This helps air flow circulate better—don’t fit it perfectly to the basket. You can also buy pre-cut air fryer parchment with holes.
- Double and freeze: Make a double batch! Freeze extras and bake them straight from frozen in 8 minutes.
Mix in ideas
- Shredded coconut – this gives them a summer vibe
- Mini M&Ms – this is so fun to make them into monster cookies
- Dried fruit – raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, chopped dates, chopped figs
- Chopped nuts – pecans, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pistachios
- Cinnamon or nutmeg – for a warm and cozy flavor
- Zest or orange or lemon – adds brightness and would be exception with dried fruit
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Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies Recipe (Bake in 6 Minutes)
These easy air fryer oatmeal cookies bake in just 6 minutes and are made with simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for small batches, this recipe makes 6 soft, chewy oat cookies, no oven needed! Customize with your favorite mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit.
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Servings: 6
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon ground flax
- 1 tablespoon oat flour - or gluten free flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- pinch sea salt
- 1.5 tablespoons coconut sugar - or brown sugar
- ⅓ cup rolled oats
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons tahini (or peanut butter or almond butter)
- 3 tablespoons dairy free chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the applesauce and ground flax.¼ cup unsweetened applesauce, 1 tablespoon ground flax
- Add the oat flour, baking powder and salt. Stir to incorporate.1 tablespoon oat flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, pinch sea salt
- Add the coconut sugar, rolled oats and vanilla extract. Stir well to be sure the oats are well incorporated.1.5 tablespoons coconut sugar, ⅓ cup rolled oats, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pour the tahini in batter and stir well.2 tablespoons tahini (or peanut butter or almond butter)
- Add the chocolate chips and stir to ensure they are distributed well.3 tablespoons dairy free chocolate chips
- Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit in the air fryer basket. Cut a few holes to ensure airflow.
- Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out 6 cookies and press them down so they are flat.
- Bake in 350F air fryer for 6 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Equipment
Recipe Notes
Top tips
- Use parchment or a silicone liner: Line the air fryer basket so the dough doesn’t melt through the tray. Trust me this will be a mess otherwise.
- Flatten the cookies: These won’t spread much. Gently press each cookie flat before baking or they don’t bake through in the 6 minutes.
- Only use enough parchment for the number of cookies you’re making. Any excess paper can lift up and hit the heating element.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
Calories
149
Fat
9
g
Carbohydrates
17
g
Fiber
2
g
Sugar
9
g
Protein
3
g
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.
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Can you bake these in the oven?
Yes! These are also great baked in the oven. You will want to preheat your oven to 375F and bake the cookies for 12 minutes. They will not get as brown on top but are equally delicious. This is a great option if you double or triple the recipe and want to bake all the cookies at one time.
How to store leftover cookies
- Fridge: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Let thaw on the counter for 30 minutes. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 1 minute if desired.
I’m not vegan, but my daughter is. I happened to see your recipe and sent it to my daughter. We decided to try making the cookies today and all we can say is that they’re delicious, easy to make and so healthy. Thanks a lot for this recipe!!
How much coconut sugar should I add? I couldn’t find it
So sorry about that – I’ve updated the recipe card. It’s 1.5 Tbsp. of coconut sugar. Thanks for letting me know!