Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes of mixing.

Add the Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well incorporated into the butter-sugar mixture.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

Mix Dry Ingredients Into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft cookie dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.

Shape the Cookies: Take portions of the cookie dough and roll them into small balls or use cookie cutters to create desired shapes. Place the shaped cookies on a parchment paper-lined tray.

Air Fry the Cookies: Arrange the cookies in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have some space between them. You may need to air fry them in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Bake: Air fry the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for about 6-8 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as cooking times can vary between different air fryer models. The cookies are ready when they turn slightly golden around the edges.

Cool and Decorate (Optional): Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack. If desired, you can decorate them with colorful sprinkles or icing for a festive touch.

Enjoy: Once the cookies have cooled and any decorations have set, it's time to enjoy your homemade air-fried sugar cookies. They're best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for a few days.