Oh my gosh, you have to try these air fryer matcha cookies! I was skeptical at first—could an air fryer really make cookies as good as my oven? But trust me, the first bite of these crispy, golden-edged beauties changed my mind forever. That vibrant green matcha flavor? Perfection. And the best part? You’re just 20 minutes away from warm, fragrant cookies that’ll make your kitchen smell like a fancy tea shop. My kids now beg for these after school (who am I kidding—I sneak them for breakfast too). Once you taste how the air fryer gives them that perfect crunch with a soft center, you’ll never go back to baking sheets again!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Matcha Cookies
Let me count the ways these little green gems will steal your heart:
- Lightning fast: From bowl to belly in 20 minutes—no oven preheating marathon!
- Crazy crispy: The air fryer gives that perfect snap without drying them out
- Matcha magic: Earthy, slightly sweet flavor that’s way more exciting than plain sugar cookies
- No-fuss cleanup: One bowl, no messy baking sheets—just pop that basket in the dishwasher
- Secretly kinda healthy: Matcha’s packed with antioxidants (we’ll just ignore the butter, okay?)
Seriously, these cookies are my new obsession—and after one bite, they’ll be yours too.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Matcha Cookies
Gather these simple ingredients – I promise you probably have most in your pantry already! The matcha powder is the star here, so splurge on the good stuff if you can. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled, don’t pack it!)
- 1/2 cup sugar (I use regular granulated, but see my notes below for subs)
- 1 tbsp matcha powder (ceremonial grade gives the best flavor and color)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder (make sure it’s fresh!)
- 1/4 tsp salt (just a pinch to balance the sweetness)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (leave it out for 30 minutes – trust me on this)
- 1 egg, room temperature (cold eggs make the dough weird)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (the real stuff, not imitation)
That’s it! Simple, right? Now let’s make some magic happen.
How to Make Air Fryer Matcha Cookies
Okay, let’s get baking! These cookies come together so fast you’ll barely have time to lick the spoon (not that I’m judging if you do). Here’s exactly how I make them:
- Preheat that air fryer to 320°F (160°C) – this takes about 3 minutes in mine, but check yours since models vary.
- Whisk the dry stuff – flour, sugar, matcha powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. I like to sift the matcha to avoid lumps – it makes such a difference!
- Cream the wet ingredients – mash the softened butter with a fork first (no mixer needed!), then mix in the egg and vanilla until it looks like pale yellow pudding.
- Bring it all together – gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until no flour streaks remain. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky – perfect!
- Shape your cookies – roll tablespoon-sized portions into balls, then gently flatten to about 1/2-inch thick. Pro tip: wet your hands slightly to prevent sticking!
- Air fry in batches – leave at least 1 inch between cookies (they spread!). Cook for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn golden but centers are still slightly soft.
- Cool completely – I know it’s hard, but let them sit for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack. They’ll firm up beautifully!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Matcha Cookies
After burning my first batch (oops!), here’s what I learned:
- Peek at 8 minutes – air fryers run hot! Mine’s perfect at 9 minutes
- Use parchment rounds for easy removal – cut them to fit your basket
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them soft
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Listen, I get it – sometimes you gotta improvise! Here’s how to tweak these cookies without losing that amazing matcha magic:
- Matcha matters: Skip the cheap stuff – ceremonial grade gives that vibrant color and rich flavor. If yours looks dull green, it’s probably culinary grade (fine, but less punchy).
- Flour swaps: Gluten-free 1:1 blends work great, but add an extra tablespoon since they absorb differently. Whole wheat flour makes them denser (still tasty though!).
- Sweetener options: Coconut sugar gives a caramel note (use 3/4 cup since it’s less sweet). Maple syrup? Reduce other liquids slightly and expect chewier cookies.
The butter and egg are pretty non-negotiable for texture, but hey – baking’s an adventure, right? If you want to explore other quick air fryer recipes, check out these air fryer pecan pie bars.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Matcha Cookies
These cookies practically beg to be paired with something delicious! My absolute favorite way? Dunked in a frothy matcha latte – double the green goodness! They’re also amazing crumbled over vanilla ice cream for a quick dessert, or served alongside fresh strawberries for a pretty tea-time treat. Honestly though? They disappear too fast at my house to need fancy plating – I usually just grab them straight off the cooling rack!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
These cookies stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days (if they last that long!). For that just-baked crispness, pop them back in the air fryer for 2 minutes at 300°F – magic! The bread trick works wonders too – tuck a slice in the container to keep them soft.
Air Fryer Matcha Cookies Nutritional Information
Now, let’s talk numbers – but remember, these are just estimates since ingredients vary by brand. Per cookie (if you make 12): about 90 calories, 6g sugar, and a happy little boost from that antioxidant-packed matcha. Not bad for something that tastes this indulgent, right?
FAQs About Air Fryer Matcha Cookies
Got questions? I’ve burned enough cookies to have answers! Here’s what people ask me most:
Why did my cookies come out chewy?
This usually happens if your butter was too soft or you overmixed the dough. Next time, aim for butter that’s cool to the touch but leaves a slight dent when pressed. And mix just until the flour disappears – no more!
Can I use honey instead of sugar?
You can, but reduce other liquids by 1 tbsp since honey adds moisture. The cookies will spread more and stay softer – still delicious, just different! I’d start with 1/3 cup honey.
Help! My matcha flavor is too weak!
Two likely culprits: old matcha (it loses potency fast!) or not sifting it. Always use fresh, vibrant green powder and sift it with the flour to distribute evenly. For extra oomph, add another 1/2 tsp matcha.
Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely! Roll it into balls and freeze on a tray before bagging. When craving strikes, air fry frozen dough balls for 10-12 minutes. No thawing needed – my secret midnight snack hack! If you’re looking for more quick air fryer desserts, try these air fryer apple crumble cups.
Share Your Air Fryer Matcha Cookies
Did you make these? I’d love to hear how they turned out! Snap a pic of your green beauties and tag me – nothing makes me happier than seeing your cookie creations (especially if you got creative with the recipe!). Now go enjoy that matcha goodness! For more inspiration on using your appliance, see this guide on air fryer roast chicken.
Print
20-Minute Air Fryer Matcha Cookies – Crispy Bliss!
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy, flavorful matcha cookies made easily in your air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp matcha powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Mix flour, sugar, matcha powder, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Add butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until dough forms.
- Roll dough into small balls and flatten slightly.
- Place cookies in air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes until edges turn golden.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Adjust sugar to taste.
- Check cookies at 8 minutes to prevent burning.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: air fryer matcha cookies, easy matcha cookies, quick dessert