Name: Air Fryer Italian Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 36 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract; 3 large eggs; 1/2 teaspoon anise; 2 2/3 cup all-purpose flour; 3 teaspoons level (must be level) baking powder; 1 cup powdered sugar; 4-5 tablespoons milk

Air Fryer Italian Cookies — The holidays are just around the corner, and we’re all scrambling to find that perfect recipe for a sweet treat. I’ve found one that’s quick and easy, doesn’t require any baking skills, and is loved by kids of all ages: Air Fryer Italian Cookies!

This is my grandmother’s recipe, and I love it! I just made them for my mother, and she told me they are better in the Air Fryer than in the oven!

Thanks, mom!

When baking these with my grandmother, she told me that they were cookies and not something else entirely different. They are an Italian Delight!

And she was right; they’re so good! I have been making these for years!

I love making cookies in the Air Fryer, and this recipe is no different! Some of my favorite Air Fryer Cookie Recipes are AIR FRYER HOMEMADE KOURABIEDES (GREEK SUGAR COOKIES), AIR FRYER COPYCAT MRS. FIELDS WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES, AIR FRYER SUGAR COOKIES, and AIR FRYER SUGAR COOKIES.

What Are Italian Cookies?

Italian cookies are a type of dessert that originated in Italy. They are typically small, sweet, and round with either a crispy or soft texture. Some Italian cookies can be savory, like biscotti. Often you’ll find them alongside coffee in the morning when Italians have their espresso break from work.

Today, I will show you how to make some traditional Italian cookies to try for yourself!

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Italian Cookies

Vegetable Oil
Granulated Sugar
Pure Vanilla Extract
Eggs
Anise
All-Purpose Flour
Baking Powder
Powdered Sugar
Milk

How To Make Air Fryer Italian Cookies

Mix the vegetable oil, sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, and anise in a large mixing bowl. Mix until frothy.

Then add the flour and baking powder. The dough should not be sticky. If it is moist, add about 2 tablespoons of flour.

Spray your air fryer tray or line your air fryer basket with parchment paper. Then add about a tablespoon of batter. Set in the oven/air fryer and set the temperature to 320 degrees F (air fry) for 3 minutes. THESE COOKIES DO NOT BROWN, so once they are cooked through, remove them.

Let cool.

To make the icing: 1 cup of powdered sugar and 4-5 tablespoons of milk. Mix until the consistency resembles glue, then dip the cookie in and sprinkle with sprinkles/jimmies.

Plate, serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations:

My recipe uses anise, which is a classical Italian ingredient. But if you do not have it on hand, or want to use something else, you can use pure vanilla extract or almond extract.
My grandmother’s notes call for a level teaspoon of baking powder, so in order for the cookies to rise, you must use a knife to get rid of the extra baking powder.
Let the cookies cool, before icing them otherwise the icing will runoff. I would recommend that you use sprinkles. Right after you ice them, shake some sprinkles on them.
You can also sprinkle nuts on top of them, for some added crunch.

How To Store Air Fryer Italian Cookies

You can make these cookies ahead of time. FREEZE them without the glaze for best results. Then let them defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Then glaze them right before serving.

These bite-sized beauties are perfect for parties–double up what recipe makes so there’s enough for everyone!

Store in an airtight container. They will last for about 2 to 3 days.

MORE AIR FRYER COOKIE RECIPES:

Yield: 24 Servings

Air Fryer Italian Cookies

These are homemade old-fashioned Italian Cookies with Sprinkles and Icing. Sometimes they are called Anise Cookies; in my family, we call them Italian Cookies. They are easy to make and easy to eat.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 36 minutes

Ingredients

Cookies:

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon anise
2 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons level (must be level) baking powder

Icing:

1 cup powdered sugar
4-5 tablespoons milk

Instructions

Mix the vegetable oil, sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, and anise in a large mixing bowl.
Mix until frothy.
Then add the flour and baking powder. The dough should not be sticky. If it is moist, add about 2 tablespoons of flour.
Spray your air fryer tray or line your air fryer basket with parchment paper.
Then add about a tablespoon of batter. Set in the oven/air fryer and set the temperature to 320 degrees F (air fry) for 3 minutes. THESE COOKIES DO NOT BROWN, so once they are cooked through, remove them.
Let cool.
To make the icing: 1 cup of powdered sugar and 4-5 tablespoons of milk. Mix until the consistency resembles glue, then dip the cookie in and sprinkle with sprinkles/jimmies.
Plate, serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 137Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 11mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 0gSugar: 9gProtein: 2g

ForkToSpoon.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although we try to attempt to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.