The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than with the warm, spicy flavors of homemade gingersnap cookies? This Air Fryer Gingersnap Christmas Cookies offers a quicker, more convenient way to enjoy this classic Christmas treat. Crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, these cookies make the perfect addition to your holiday dessert table.
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Why Air Fryer Gingersnap Christmas Cookies?
Air frying these cookies gives them a wonderfully crisp edge while keeping the center soft and tender. It’s a faster cooking method that’s perfect for smaller batches, making it easy to whip up fresh cookies for gatherings or last-minute treats. Plus, using an air fryer keeps your kitchen cool, which is a huge plus during holiday baking marathons!
PRO TIPS for the Best Air Fryer Gingersnap Christmas Cookies
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow butter and egg to come to room temperature for smoother blending and better texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Mixing too much can make the cookies dense. Mix just until combined for a soft, chewy result.
- Spacing in the Air Fryer: Leave enough space between cookies so they can spread evenly.
Ingredients for Gingersnap Christmas Cookies
- All-purpose flour: The base of the cookies provides structure and texture.
- Ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg: These spices give the gingersnaps their signature warm, spicy flavor.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates a soft texture.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the spices.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and a buttery flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and provides a slight crispness on the edges.
- Egg: Acts as a binder and adds moisture.
- Molasses: A key ingredient for authentic gingersnap flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavors in the dough.
- Extras for rolling and decorating: Granulated sugar, melted white chocolate, and optional Christmas sprinkles.
How to bake Air Fryer Gingersnap Christmas Cookies
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and baking soda, and salt.
In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until well combined. For about 3 minutes on medium speed.
Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing well after each addition.
Take tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls.
Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar to coat.
Place the coated dough balls in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for expansion.
Cook the cookies in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes or until they are set and lightly browned.
Remove the cookies from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack.
Decorating your Gingersnap Christmas Cookies
Dip each cooled cookie halfway into melted white chocolate, allowing excess to drip off.
Add a sprinkle of festive Christmas sprinkles on the chocolate-coated side, if desired.
Place the decorated cookies on parchment paper to let the chocolate set before serving.
How to Store Leftover Cookies
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They’ll retain their chewy texture and flavor, making them great for a week-long treat.
Other Cooking Methods Apart from the Air Fryer
You can bake these cookies in a conventional oven if you don’t have an air fryer. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set and slightly browned.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cookies with a mug of hot chocolate, coffee, or even a glass of milk for a classic pairing. They also make wonderful additions to holiday cookie platters and are perfect for gift-giving.
Air Fryer Gingersnap Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour 200 grams
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground ginger 2 grams
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 gram
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves 1 gram
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3 grams
- 1/4 teaspoon salt 1.5 grams
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened (113 grams)
- 1 cup granulated sugar 200 grams
- 1 large egg approximately 50 grams
- 1/4 cup molasses 85 grams
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 grams
For Rolling:
- Extra granulated sugar as needed
For Decoration:
- Melted white chocolate as needed
- Christmas sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until well combined. For about 3 minutes on medium speed.
- Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing well after each addition.
- Take tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls.
- Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar to coat.
- Place the coated dough balls in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for expansion.
- Cook the cookies in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes or until they are set and lightly browned.
- Remove the cookies from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack.
Decorating
- Dip each cooled cookie halfway into the melted white chocolate, letting the excess drip off.
- Immediately sprinkle the dipped area with christmas sprinkles, if using.
- Place the cookies on parchment paper and let the chocolate set before serving
FAQs about Gingersnap Christmas Cookies
Can I use a different type of sugar for coating?
Yes, coarse or colored sugar can add an extra festive touch.
Can I substitute molasses with honey?
Honey can be used as a substitute, though it will alter the taste and texture slightly. Molasses adds a deeper flavor that’s classic to gingersnaps.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
No problem! You can bake these cookies in a conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes.
Enjoy these delightful air fryer gingersnap cookies and bring a little extra warmth and spice to your holiday season!
There you have my version of the quick Air Fryer Gingersnap Christmas Cookies. When you make yours, kindly let me know how it goes!
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About the Author
I am Seun, and I love to share my first-hand experience using multiple air fryers. Stick around for yummy delicacies made from the air fryer and many amazing tips on using your newfound Kitchen appliance – the air fryer!
