Oh my gosh, you guys – have I got a treat for you! These air fryer peanut butter blossoms are my go-to when I need a quick, crowd-pleasing cookie that tastes like I spent hours in the kitchen. The first time I made them, my kids came running when they smelled that peanut butter goodness wafting through the house. And when they saw those chocolate kisses melting slightly into the warm cookies? Pure magic!
What I love most is how ridiculously easy these are. Five ingredients, one bowl, and your air fryer does all the heavy lifting. No mixer, no chilling dough, no fancy techniques. Just soft peanut butter cookies with that perfect little chocolate kiss surprise in the center. Trust me, these disappear faster than you can say “peanut butter blossoms” at my house!
I’ll never forget the first time I tried making these in the air fryer instead of the oven. I was skeptical – could they really turn out as good? But wow, that first batch convinced me for good. The air fryer gives them this incredible texture – slightly crisp edges with that melt-in-your-mouth soft center. And in just 8 minutes? Game changer.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Peanut Butter Blossoms
Listen, I don’t just make these air fryer peanut butter blossoms because they’re delicious (though, let’s be real, that’s reason enough). Here’s why they’ve become my secret weapon for last-minute treats:
- Speed demon: From bowl to plate in under 20 minutes – no waiting for the oven to preheat!
- Pantry superhero: Five ingredients you probably have right now. No fancy flour blends or weird additives.
- Texture magic: That air fryer gives you crispy edges with a center so soft, it practically melts around the chocolate kiss.
- Crowd pleaser: Kids go nuts for them, adults pretend they’re “just having one” (then sneak three more).
- No-fail recipe: Even my baking-challenged cousin nailed these on her first try. That’s saying something!
Seriously, these cookies are like edible happiness. The way that warm peanut butter cookie hugs the chocolate kiss? *Chef’s kiss* (pun totally intended).
Ingredients for Air Fryer Peanut Butter Blossoms
Here’s the beautiful part – you only need five simple ingredients to make these magical little cookies! I always double-check my pantry before starting because nothing’s worse than getting halfway through and realizing you’re out of vanilla (been there!). Here’s exactly what you’ll need:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter – Not the natural kind that separates, just regular old Jif or Skippy (trust me on this)
- 1 cup granulated sugar – Plain white sugar works perfectly here
- 1 large egg – Straight from the fridge is fine, no need to wait for room temp
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – The good stuff makes a difference!
- 24 chocolate kisses – Unwrapped and ready to go (I always unwrap a few extra… for quality control)
Ingredient Substitutions & Notes
Ran out of something? No panic! You can swap almond butter for peanut butter (texture changes slightly), or coconut sugar for granulated (expect darker cookies). Crunchy peanut butter works in a pinch, but creamy gives that perfect smooth bite. And yes, those holiday Hershey’s kisses in different flavors? Absolutely fair game – try mint or caramel for fun twists!
How to Make Air Fryer Peanut Butter Blossoms
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – making these irresistible cookies! I promise it’s easier than you think. The first time I made these, I couldn’t believe how simple the process was. Now I’ve got it down to a science, and I’m going to walk you through every step so yours turn out perfect too.
Step 1: Mix the Dough
Grab your favorite mixing bowl – no fancy stand mixer needed here! I use the same old yellow plastic bowl my mom gave me when I moved out. Dump in your peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Now here’s the best part: no flour! That’s right, these magical cookies hold together without it.
Mix everything together with a sturdy spoon until it comes together in this gorgeous, smooth, slightly sticky dough. You’ll know it’s ready when there are no streaks of egg visible and the texture looks like playdough. Pro tip: if your dough seems too wet, let it sit for 5 minutes – the sugar will absorb some moisture.
Step 2: Shape and Cook in Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F while you roll the dough into balls. I aim for about 1-inch size – roughly the diameter of a ping pong ball. Roll them between your palms until smooth, and don’t worry if your hands get a little sticky. (Bonus: you get to lick peanut butter off your fingers afterward!)
Place the balls in your air fryer basket with about an inch between them – they’ll spread a bit. I can usually fit about 6-8 at a time depending on my air fryer size. Cook for 6-8 minutes until they’re puffed up and just starting to turn golden around the edges. Check at 6 minutes – you want them soft in the center still!
Step 3: Add Chocolate Kisses
Here’s where the magic happens! The second those cookies come out of the air fryer, gently press a chocolate kiss into the center of each one. The cookies should be warm enough to make the kiss sink in slightly but not so hot that it completely melts (learned that the hard way!).
Let them cool in the basket for about 2 minutes before transferring to a rack. The kisses will set as they cool, creating that perfect little chocolate pool in the center. Warning: resisting the urge to eat them immediately is nearly impossible – that warm peanut butter-chocolate combo is heavenly!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Peanut Butter Blossoms
After making dozens (okay, maybe hundreds) of these air fryer peanut butter blossoms, I’ve picked up some tricks that’ll guarantee cookie perfection every time. These aren’t fussy cookies, but a few little tweaks make all the difference between “good” and “oh-my-gosh-I-need-another-one” amazing!
Chill sticky dough for 10 minutes – If your dough feels too soft after mixing (maybe your kitchen’s warm or your peanut butter was extra oily), pop it in the fridge briefly. This helps the cookies hold their shape better in the air fryer’s intense heat. Just don’t forget about it – we’re talking 10 minutes max!
Always check at 6 minutes – Air fryers vary wildly, so peek through that window at the 6-minute mark. You want the edges lightly golden but the centers still slightly soft – they’ll firm up as they cool. Overbaking makes dry cookies and melty chocolate disasters (ask me how I know).
Use parchment liners for easy cleanup – Those perforated parchment sheets made for air fryers? Lifesavers! They prevent any sticky situations and let you lift out the whole batch at once. No more fishing for rogue cookies in the basket!
Roll uniform balls for even cooking – I use a small cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon) to portion the dough, then roll between my palms. Same size = same bake time. Bonus: lick your fingers after – chef’s privilege!
One last thing – don’t skip letting them cool slightly before adding kisses. That 2-minute wait means the chocolate holds its shape instead of becoming a melted puddle. Unless you want peanut butter chocolate soup cookies… no judgment here!
Storage and Reheating
Okay, confession time – these air fryer peanut butter blossoms rarely last more than a day in my house. But on the off chance you have leftovers (you disciplined soul, you!), here’s how to keep them tasting fresh:
Pop them in an airtight container at room temperature with a sheet of parchment between layers. They’ll stay delicious for about 3 days – though the chocolate kiss might lose its shine after day two. No fridge needed! The peanut butter keeps them moist, but the fridge can make them dry out faster.
Want that just-baked warmth? A quick 10-second zap in the air fryer brings back that magical fresh-from-the-basket texture. Just don’t walk away – they go from warm to molten in seconds! My kids love them slightly chilled too – the chocolate gets this satisfying snap when you bite in.
Pro tip: If you’re making these ahead for a party, store the baked cookies without kisses and add them right before serving. That way the chocolate stays picture-perfect!
Air Fryer Peanut Butter Blossoms FAQs
I get questions about these cookies all the time – seems like everyone wants to put their own spin on them! Here are the answers to the ones I hear most often:
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead?
Technically yes, but I don’t recommend it. Those peanut bits change the texture completely – you lose that smooth, melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes these so special. Stick with creamy for the classic blossom experience. (Though if you must use crunchy, try blending it first to break up the pieces!)
Why did my chocolate kisses melt into puddles?
Oh honey, you baked them too long! Those first few batches are tricky – you want the cookies just barely golden at the edges. If they’re too hot when you add the kisses, you’ll get chocolate soup instead of pretty blossoms. Next time, pull them at 6 minutes even if they look underdone – they keep cooking from residual heat!
Can I freeze these cookies?
Absolutely! Just freeze them without the chocolate kisses first. Bake and cool the peanut butter cookies completely, then stash them in freezer bags for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw at room temp for an hour, give them a quick 30-second warm-up in the air fryer, then add fresh kisses. Works like a charm for holiday prep!
Nutritional Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist, but I do like to know what I’m putting into my body (even when it’s cookies!). These air fryer peanut butter blossoms are definitely a treat, but they’re not as heavy as you might think. Each little cookie packs a decent amount of protein from the peanut butter – enough that I sometimes convince myself they’re practically health food!
The nutritional values will vary depending on your specific brands of peanut butter and chocolate kisses. But generally speaking, each cookie comes in around 120 calories with a nice balance of sweetness and protein. You’re looking at about 7g of fat (the good kind from peanuts!), 12g of carbs, and 3g of protein per blossom.
My philosophy? Life’s too short to stress over cookie calories. Just enjoy them in moderation (or don’t – I won’t tell!). The air fryer actually helps keep these lighter than traditional baked versions since they need less oil. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go “quality check” another cookie…
Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it – my not-so-secret secret for the easiest, most irresistible cookies that’ll make you the hero of any gathering! I still remember the first time I brought these air fryer peanut butter blossoms to my book club – let’s just say I didn’t bring any home. Now they’re requested at every potluck!
What I love most about this recipe is how it brings people together. My kids beg to help roll the dough balls (and sneak chocolate kisses). My neighbor texts me every time she makes them because she can’t believe how simple they are. And my husband? Let’s just say he’s learned not to stand between me and the last cookie!
I’d love to hear how your batch turns out! Did you stick with classic milk chocolate kisses or try something wild like dark chocolate with sea salt? Snap a pic of your prettiest blossom and tag me – nothing makes me happier than seeing your cookie creations. And if you loved these as much as we do, leave a quick rating so other peanut butter-chocolate addicts can find this recipe too!
Now go forth and make magic with your air fryer! Just don’t blame me when your family starts requesting these weekly. Trust me, once you’ve tasted that perfect peanut butter-chocolate combo fresh from the air fryer, there’s no going back. Happy baking, friends!
Print
Irresistible Air Fryer Peanut Butter Blossoms in 8 Minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy air fryer peanut butter blossoms with a soft peanut butter cookie base and a chocolate kiss on top.
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 24 chocolate kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
- Mix peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla in a bowl.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls.
- Place balls in air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes until lightly golden.
- Press a chocolate kiss into each cookie while warm.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Use creamy peanut butter for best texture.
- Let cookies cool slightly before adding chocolate kisses.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: air fryer peanut butter blossoms, peanut butter cookies, chocolate kiss cookies