Air Fryer Gingerbread Man Cookies

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This Air Fryer Gingerbread Cookies recipe is a quick and easy version of everyone’s favorite Christmas cookie! Made with pantry staples and done in just minutes, these air fryer gingerbread man cookies will become a new family tradition.

You’ll also like Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls,  Air Fryer Donuts and Air Fryer Cookies,.

Suitable for vegetarian diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

top down view of gingerbread cookies packaged in a red tin

There is something about the smell of warm cinnamon and ginger in the air that makes me want to decorate and sing Christmas carols. Baking a fresh batch of Air Fryer Gingerbread Cookies is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.

Gingerbread cookies are sooooo nostalgic and remind me of my childhood holidays. And I’ve passed the tradition on to my own kids, and we look forward to making gingerbread men each year.

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Fresh Gingerbread Cookies

Sometimes I like to surprise them with a plateful when they come home from school. What kid doesn’t love coming home to a plate of fresh-baked cookies?!

These cookies are fun and easy to make and they make a great edible gift for teachers, neighbors, delivery drivers, and anyone in your life that deserves a special treat.

For more holiday cookies try Air Fryer 4th of July Cookies or these Air Fryer Pistachio Pudding Cookies (for St Patricks Day) or these Easter Air Fryer Brownie Mix Cookies.

Oh and if you want something a bit different and even easier, then try this Fruit Christmas Tree.

one finished gingerbread man propped up against a stack of cookies

Why You’ll ♡ Them

  • Nostalgic – Decorated gingerbread men are a classic holiday treat.
  • Fun and Easy – This recipe is so easy to make and you’ll have everything you need in your pantry.
  • Perfect for gifting – Edible gifts are always popular and these will make a special gift for someone you care about.
  • Kid-friendly – Get your kids in the kitchen and make some holiday memories!
top down view of the baked gingerbread cookies in the air fryer basket

Ready to learn how to make gingerbread cookies two different ways? Then gather up your ingredients and I will show you…

Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!

For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Air Fryer Tools on Amazon.

How To Make Gingerbread Cookies In The Air Fryer

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

  1. Preheat the air fryer to at 350F / 176C.
  2. Use a microwave to melt the butter in a mixing bowl.
  3. Add sugar, molasses, eggs, and spices and mix until combined.
  4. Next, stir in the flour. If the dough is sticky, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it is no longer sticky.
  5. Wrap the dough in plastic and chill in the freezer for 10 minutes.
  6. Roll out the dough to a quarter-inch thick and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
  7. Place cookies in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 – 9 minutes.
image collage showing the steps for making air fryer gingerbread cookies

Make Them In The Oven

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

  1. Melt the butter in a bowl.
  2. Mix in the sugar, molasses, eggs, and spices until combined.
  3. Stir in the flour. If the dough is sticky, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it is no longer sticky.
  4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and freeze for about 10 minutes.
  5. Roll out the dough to a quarter-inch thick and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter.
  6. Bake cookies in a 350F / 176C oven for 12-14 minutes.
top down view of gingerbread man cookies on a baking tray

Expert Tips

  • Don’t skip the chilling process! Chilling helps the dough to roll out smoothly and cook evenly.
  • Settings can vary so check these air fryer cookies frequently so they don’t overcook.
  • Let the cookies cool completely before decorating. We won’t tell if you sneak a plain cookie while you wait.
  • Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting with less cook time, checking for doneness, then adding more time as needed.
finished gingerbread cookies on a cooling rack

Troubleshooting

  • Cookies Burn on the Edges – Make sure your dough is rolled evenly. Thinner parts will cook faster resulting in overcooked or burnt areas. Your dough may also be too warm. After you cut out the cookies, pop the tray into the fridge for a few moments before cooking.
  • Dough is Dry – You may have added too much flour. Mix in 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until the dough is soft and pliable. Be sure to repeat the 10-minute freezing process.
  • Dough is Too Wet – Add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time until the dough reaches the proper consistency.
a white plate filled with decorated gingerbread man cookies

Delicious Variations

  • Swap Shapes – Gingerbread men and women are classic but you can cut out any shape you like. Keep it festive with bells, candy canes, and snowmen, or use other shapes to fit any season or holiday.
  • Try Corn Syrup – For a sweeter cookie that’s lighter in color, use corn syrup instead of molasses.
close up view of air fryer gingerbread cookies inside the air fryer basket

Make Ahead and Storage

  • Make Ahead – If you have time or you want to get a head start on the baking process, you can make the dough in advance and skip the part where you stick it in the freezer. Instead, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and put it in the fridge. You can store it for up to 7 days then roll out and bake as directed.
  • Store – Cookies can be stored in a cookie tin, airtight container, or zip-top bag for up to 3 weeks.
  • Freeze – You have several options when it comes to freezing gingerbread.
    • Freeze Uncooked Dough – Roll the dough in a ball, wrap well with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
    • Freeze Uncooked Cookies – Prepare the dough and cut out the cookies as directed. Instead of baking, place the uncut cookies in a freezer-safe container. Cook them directly from frozen. You may need to add a minute or two to the cooking time so watch closely.
    • Freeze Baked Cookies – Place fully baked cookies into a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to decorate and eat just let them defrost on the counter for about an hour.
air fryer gingerbread cookies on a countertop

Giving Gingerbread As An Edible Gift

Gingerbread Cookies make the perfect gift. Place decorated cookies on a plate, in a gift box, or in a cellophane bag. Teachers, service workers, neighbors, and friends will enjoy these cookies so much.

You can also give a “decorate your own cookie” gift box. Include several undecorated cookies along with several tubes of red, green, and white icing and some fun sprinkles.

decorated gingerbread man cookies packaged in a red cookie tin

FAQs

Can I Bake These Gingerbread Cookies in the Oven?

Yes! We’ve included the oven instructions above and the full oven recipe below.

Serving Suggestions

More Christmas Recipes

Tools Needed

Weight Watchers Points

There are 8 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.

Thank you for reading my gingerbread cookie recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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top down view of gingerbread cookies packaged in a red tin
Print Recipe
4.80 from 10 votes

Air Fryer Gingerbread Cookies

A quick and easy way to make these beloved Christmas cookies
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time9 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Western
Servings: 16
Calories: 194kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • cup (76g) butter melted
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ cup (150g) brown sugar
  • ½ cup (140g) molasses
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3 cups (360g) flour plus an additional ½ cup (60g), to be added 1 tablespoon at a time if dough is too sticky

Instructions

  • Melt butter, then combine with sugar, molasses and egg. Mix in the cinnamon, ginger and cloves.
  • Stir in flour. If the dough is sticky, add in an additional 1 tablespoon of flour at a time, until it is no longer sticky.
  • Wrap dough in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 10 minutes.
  • Roll out the dough to a quarter-inch thickness and cut with cookie cutters.
  • Bake cookies at 350F / 176C for 8-9 minutes in the air fryer, or for 12-14 minutes in the oven.
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Notes

  • Don’t skip the chilling process! Chilling helps the dough to roll out smoothly and cook evenly.
  • Settings can vary so check these air fryer cookies frequently so they don’t overcook.
  • Let the cookies cool completely before decorating. We won’t tell if you sneak a plain cookie while you wait.

Troubleshooting

  • Cookies Burn on the Edges – Make sure your dough is rolled evenly. Thinner parts will cook faster resulting in overcooked or burnt areas. Your dough may also be too warm. After you cut out the cookies, pop the tray into the fridge for a few moments before cooking.
  • Dough is Dry – You may have added too much flour. Mix in 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until the dough is soft and pliable. Be sure to repeat the 10-minute freezing process.
  • Dough is Too Wet – Add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time until the dough reaches the proper consistency.
There are 8 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 194kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 45mg | Potassium: 197mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 133IU | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2mg

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Recipe Rating




12 Comments

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    my wife is feeling a bit down so I made her these to cheer her up , worked like a charm .
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  4. 3 stars
    I’m waiting for new cooker to get delivered, my grandson loves gingerbread and keeps asking if I will make him some! now I’ve found this airfryer recipe I Can make him some today!! thanks

  5. 5 stars
    I never would have thought to make cookies in the air fryer. This is such an amazing idea.