Air Fryer Snowball Cookies are amazing! If you haven’t had a chance to taste these soft shortbread cookies, they will so melt in your mouth.

Plate of snowball cookies on green/blue pate.
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In the fall I love a homemade batch of homemade cookies, and these Air Fryer Snowball Cookies are absolutely perfect.

If you love simple Air Fryer Cookie Recipes, try my recipe for Air Fryer Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies, Homemade Thin Mints, or Air Fryer Conchas.

Snowball Cookies In Air Fryer

Snowball Cookies in the air fryer are a delightful twist on a classic treat! These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are rolled in powdered sugar, creating a beautiful snowy finish.

The air fryer makes them incredibly easy to prepare, yielding perfectly baked cookies with a crisp exterior and tender center. In just a matter of minutes, you’ll have a batch of these irresistible cookies ready to enjoy.

Perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy afternoon treat, these Snowball Cookies are sure to be a hit!

Plate of Air Fryer Snowball Cookies on cutting board.

Ingredients

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Snowball Cookies on table.
  • Unsalted butter, softened
  • Powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
  • Vanilla extract
  • All-purpose flour
  • Finely chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts)
  • Kosher Salt
  • Optional Ingredients: Almond extract (for added flavor), Cinnamon (for a warm spice note), Chocolate chips (for a chocolatey twist), or Coconut flakes (for a tropical touch).

How To Make Snowball Cookies In Air Fryer

Mixing bowl, filled with Air Fryer Snowball Cookies ingredients.

Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the flour, chopped nuts, and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms. Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on a parchment-lined plate or tray.

Cook the Cookies: Arrange the cookie balls in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook in batches. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden on the bottom.

Cool and Coat: Once cooked, let the cookies cool for a few minutes. While they are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar to coat.

Serve: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, then dust with additional powdered sugar if desired. Enjoy your delicious snowball cookies!

Plate of Air Fryer Snowball Cookies

Air Fryer Snowball Cookies Recipe Tips

  • Use Softened Butter: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother dough.
  • Chill the Dough: If the dough feels too soft to handle, refrigerate it for about 30 minutes before rolling into balls. This will help the cookies maintain their shape during cooking.
  • Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Arrange the cookie balls in a single layer with space between them in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
  • Monitor Cooking Time: Air fryers can vary in cooking times, so check your cookies a minute or two early to prevent overcooking.
  • Rolling in Sugar: For a snowy appearance, roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they’re still warm, and then again after they’ve cooled completely.
  • Experiment with Flavors: Consider adding almond extract or cinnamon to the dough for added flavor variations.
  • Nuts Preference: Feel free to mix and match nuts according to your taste, or omit them altogether if you prefer nut-free cookies.
  • Storage: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze them for longer storage.
  • Serve with Coffee or Tea: These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm beverage, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy afternoons.
  • Presentation: Dust with additional powdered sugar just before serving for a beautiful finish!
Air Fryer Snowball Cookies

Air Fryer Snowball Cookies Recipe Faqs

Can I use margarine instead of butter? While you can use margarine, using unsalted butter will yield the best flavor and texture for snowball cookies.

What type of nuts can I use? You can use any finely chopped nuts you like, such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds. Feel free to omit them for nut-free cookies.

How should I store leftover cookies? Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage.

Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. Just let it soften slightly at room temperature before rolling.

Why are my cookies not holding their shape? If the dough is too soft, chilling it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before rolling into balls can help.

How do I know when the cookies are done? The cookies should be lightly golden on the bottom. They may not change color significantly on top, so check the bottoms for doneness.

Can I add other flavors? Yes! You can experiment with flavors by adding vanilla, almond extract, or spices like cinnamon to the dough.

What if I don’t have an air fryer? You can bake these cookies in a conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden.

How can I make these cookies gluten-free? Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.

Can I dust the cookies with regular sugar instead of powdered sugar? While you can use regular sugar, powdered sugar gives the traditional snowy finish that is characteristic of snowball cookies.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Don’t Forget To Pin!

hape the Cookies: Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on a parchment-lined plate or tray. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for about 5 minutes. Cook the Cookies: Arrange the cookie balls in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook in batches. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden on the bottom. Cool and Coat: Once cooked, let the cookies cool for a few minutes. While they are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar to coat. Serve: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, then dust with additional powdered sugar if desired. Enjoy your delicious snowball cookies!

Air Fryer Snowball Cookies

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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 24 Servings

Description

Air Fryer Snowball Cookies are amazing! If you haven't had a chance to taste these soft shortbread cookies, they will so melt in your mouth.

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for rolling
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional Ingredients:

  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, for added flavor
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, for a warm spice note
  • Chocolate chips, for a chocolatey twist
  • Coconut flakes, for a tropical touch

Instructions

  • In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the flour, chopped nuts, and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
  • Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on a parchment-lined plate or tray.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for about 5 minutes.
  • Arrange the cookie balls in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook in batches. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden on the bottom.
  • Once cooked, let the cookies cool for a few minutes. While they are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar to coat.
  • Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, then dust with additional powdered sugar if desired. Enjoy your delicious snowball cookies!

Equipment

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 134kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 26mgPotassium: 32mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 237IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg

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