Craving bakery-style cookies without leaving your kitchen? These Air Fryer Copycat Lofthouse Cookies are soft, chewy, and frosted to perfection, ready in just minutes for a quick sweet fix.

Plate of soft and chewy Air Fryer Copycat Lofthouse Cookies with colorful frosting and sprinkles.
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If you love those soft, frosted Lofthouse cookies from the store but want to skip the trip, this Air Fryer Copycat Lofthouse Cookies recipe is your new best friend.

These cookies come out perfectly soft and chewy, with a fluffy, sweet frosting on top, all made right in your air fryer in a fraction of the time.

Perfect for last-minute desserts, after-school treats, or whenever a cookie craving strikes, they’re easy, fun, and completely irresistible.

Close up of a plate of Air Fryer Copycat Lofthouse Cookies on kitchen counter.

If you are looking for even more Air Fryer Cookie Recipes, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER COPYCAT DOUBLETREE COOKIES, AIR FRYER 2 INGREDIENT OREO MUG CAKE, AIR FRYER BREAKFAST COOKIES and AIR FRYER COOKIE DOUGH CRESCENT BITES.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

  • Soft & Chewy Texture: Just like the bakery version, each bite is perfectly pillowy and tender.
  • Quick & Easy: Ready in minutes thanks to the air fryer—no oven required.
  • Frosting Heaven: Sweet, fluffy frosting that’s smooth, creamy, and perfectly spreadable.
  • Kid-Approved: The whole family will go crazy for these fun, colorful cookies.
  • Customizable Fun: Add sprinkles, chocolate chips, or your favorite toppings for a playful twist.

Lofthouse Cookies Ingredients

Ingredients needed for Air Fryer Copycat Lofthouse Cookies on kitchen table.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Soft, finely milled flour perfect for baking cookies.
  • Baking Powder: Leavening agent that makes baked goods rise perfectly.
  • Baking Soda: Adds lift and helps cookies brown evenly.
  • Salt: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness in baked goods.
  • Butter: Rich, creamy fat that adds moisture and flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens dough and helps create a tender texture.
  • Sour Cream: Adds tangy flavor and keeps cookies soft.
  • Pure Vanilla Extract: Intensifies flavor with a warm, sweet aroma.
  • Eggs: Provides structure, moisture, and richness to the dough.

How To Make Air Fryer Copycat Lofthouse Cookies

Mix the Dry Ingredients For the Lofthouse Cookies Air Fryer.

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Mixing bowl with butter and sugars being creamed together for Air Fryer Lofthouse Cookies.

Step 2: In another bowl, add the butter, sugar, and sour cream, and cream them all together. (This will help you get a light and fluffy cookie)

Eggs and vanilla being mixed into creamed butter and sugar for Air Fryer Lofthouse Cookies.

Step 3: Add the eggs and pure vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix well.

Gradually folding dry ingredients into wet ingredients to make Air Fryer Lofthouse Cookie dough.

Step 4: Slowly fold in the dry mixture into the wet mixture, mix well.

 Rolling Air Fryer Lofthouse cookie dough into 2-inch balls.

Step 5: Roll the cookies into 2 inch balls.

Lofthouse cookie dough arranged on parchment paper in air fryer basket, ready to cook.

Step 6: Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper, then place the Lofthouse cookie dough on top. Air fry at 320°F for 5–7 minutes, then remove and allow cookies to cool.

Mixing icing in a bowl with a few drops of pink food coloring.

Step 7: While the cookies cool, combine the icing ingredients in a bowl and mix until smooth. Add a few drops of food coloring to achieve your desired shade—classic pink works perfectly, but any color is fine.

Air fryer Lofthouse cookies being frosted and decorated with colorful sprinkles.

Step 8: Frost the cookies, and then add some sprinkles on top.

Close up of Air Fryer Copycat Lofthouse Cookies on kitchen counter.

Air Fryer Copycat Lofthouse Cookies Recipe Tips

  • Don’t overmix the dough: Overworking can make cookies dense instead of soft and fluffy.
  • Measure flour carefully: Too much flour will dry out the cookies; spoon and level for accuracy.
  • Use parchment paper or a silicone liner: Prevents sticking and keeps cookies soft underneath.
  • Cool completely before frosting: Warm cookies will melt the icing and lose that signature Lofthouse look.
  • Customize frosting colors: Gel food coloring works best for vibrant, even hues without thinning the icing.
  • Store in an airtight container: Keeps cookies soft for several days; layer with parchment between cookies to prevent sticking.
  • Freeze dough for later: Roll into balls and freeze to have fresh cookies anytime

Storing, Freezing and Reheating Instructions

  • Storing: Keep cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain their soft, fluffy texture.
  • Freezing: Place un-frosted cookie dough balls or baked cookies in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before frosting.
  • Reheating: Warm cookies in the air fryer at 300°F for 1–2 minutes or in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to restore softness and freshness.
Plate of Air Fryer Copycat Lofthouse Cookies with pink frosting and colorful sprinkles

Air Fryer Copycat Lofthouse Cookies Recipe Faqs

Can I make these cookies without an air fryer? Yes! You can bake them in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes, but the texture might be slightly less soft than the air-fried version.

How do I keep the cookies soft and fluffy? Don’t overmix the dough and avoid overcooking. Cooling completely before frosting also helps maintain softness.

Can I use store-bought frosting? Absolutely! You can use pre-made frosting and just add a few drops of food coloring to get the iconic Lofthouse pink or any color you like.

How should I store these cookies? Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes! Chill the dough in the fridge for up to 24 hours before air frying.

Can I make these gluten-free? You can substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, but results may vary slightly in texture.

Can I add decorations besides sprinkles? Yes! You can use mini chocolate chips, colored sugar, or edible glitter to personalize your cookies

Plate of Air Fryer Copycat Lofthouse Cookies topped with pink frosting and colorful sprinkles.

More Easy Air Fryer Cookie Recipes

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Air Fryer Copycat Lofthouse Cookies

Air Fryer Copycat Lofthouse Cookies

4.60 from 5 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
10 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Servings: 35 Servings

Description

Soft, fluffy, and perfectly frosted, these Air Fryer Copycat Lofthouse Cookies are easy to make at home in minutes. Enjoy classic bakery-style cookies without the wait or the oven!

Ingredients 

Lofthouse Cookie Ingredients

  • 6 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature

Lofthouse Frosting Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream, or milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Food Coloring of your choice

Additional Ingredients

  • Sprinkles

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, mix the6 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt.
  • In another bowl, add the 2 sticks unsalted butter, 2 cups granulated sugar and 1 cup sour cream and cream them all together.
  • Add the 2 large eggs and 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix well.
  • Slowly fold in the dry mixture into the wet mixture, mix well.
  • Roll the cookies into 2 inch balls.
  • Line the air fryer with parchment paper, and then add your Air Fryer Lofthouse Cookie Dough to the Air Fryer Basket. Air Fry (using the air fryer setting) for 5-7 minutes at 320 degrees F. Remove and let cool.
  • While the cookies are cooling, add ½ cup unsalted butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and Food Coloring of your choice to a bowl, and mix well. Add a couple of drops of the food coloring until you get the color you wish.
  • Frost the cookies, and then add some Sprinkles on top.

Equipment

Notes

While today, I went with the iconic pink icing. You can really use any of the colors of the rainbow that you wish. Some other great colors for copycat versions:
  • Yellow Frosting: Add a couple of drops of lemon juice to the frosting.
  • Birthday Colors: This would make for a great birthday treat. Use the birthday boy/girl’s favorite colors.
  • Christmas Colors: Add red and green frosting.
  • Easier: You can do all of the pastel colors.
  • Patriotic Holidays: Patriot Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, use Red/Blue and White Colors.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 238kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 97mgPotassium: 39mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 305IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg

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