There’s nothing like the smell of freshly baked gingerbread during the holidays, and these air fryer gingerbread men cookies make it easier than ever to enjoy that nostalgic aroma.
Made with warm spices and rich molasses, these cookies have a deep, classic flavor and a soft center that holds up beautifully when decorated.
Using an air fryer means no preheating the oven and no waiting to rotate baking sheets. Each batch cooks in about 10 minutes, giving you quick, evenly baked cookies that look just as good as they taste.
Be sure to grab this homemade gingerbread spice recipe – you’ll need it for your holiday baking. If you love easy holiday treats in the air fryer, try air fryer thumbprint cookies and air fryer shortbread cookies.
The best part…
- The molasses gives these cookies that true old-fashioned gingerbread flavor.
- The air fryer delivers perfectly baked cookies in minutes.
- It’s a great way to get kids involved in holiday baking and decorating.
- These cookies are soft in the center, crisp on the edges, and sturdy enough for icing.
Ingredients
For the cookies
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for a soft yet sturdy cookie.
- Gingerbread spice blend: Ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves. This adds warmth and spice to these cookies.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and stay tender.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter gives a smooth, rich dough.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and balances the molasses flavor.
- Molasses: Deep, dark sweetness that defines traditional gingerbread.
- Egg: Holds everything together.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a touch of sweetness and aroma.
For the Royal Icing:
- Powdered sugar.
- Egg white
- Fresh lemon juice
* Need to print out this recipe? You’ll find a printable recipe card at the end of this post. Enjoy!
How to make gingerbread men cookies in the air fryer.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
Beat softened butter and sugar until light and creamy.
Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla, mixing until fully combined.
Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
Wrap the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so the dough firms up.
Once chilled, roll the dough out on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness then cut out with gingerbread man cookie cutters and other holiday shapes.
Arrange cookies in a single layer, leaving space between them.
Air fry at 330°F (160°C) for 8 – 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
Leave the cookies in the air fryer basket for a couple more minutes then Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Make the royal icing
Sift powdered sugar into a bowl. Add the egg white and lemon juice.
Mix to combine, then beat until the mixture is thick and glossy.
Pipe or spread icing on the cooled cookies and let it set before storing or packaging. Use colorful marshmallows or m & ms for the buttons.
Serve with
Serve these air fryer gingerbread cookies with hot cocoa, coffee, hot chocolate or a warm spiced latte.
They’re also adorable on holiday dessert platters or packaged as edible gifts for friends and neighbors.
If you are having guests over and need more for your dessert table, make these gingerbread truffles, Biscoff truffles or Santa’s toy bag Oreos.
How to store
- Room temperature: Keep cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Store undecorated cookies for up to 3 months; thaw before decorating.
Helpful Tips
- Chill the dough well so your cookies keep their shape while baking.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; air circulation is key to even baking.
- Let cookies cool fully before adding icing.
- If your air fryer tends to run hot, check a test cookie at the 5-minute mark.
FAQs
Yes, pre-made gingerbread dough works fine. Roll it out slightly thicker and reduce air fry time by a minute.
If your dough isn’t chilled enough, the cookies can puff or spread. Make sure it’s firm before cutting.
No, flipping isn’t necessary for this recipe. They cook evenly when arranged in a single layer.
These air fryer gingerbread men bring classic holiday flavors to table in a less time.
With rich molasses, warm spices, and a soft chewy bite, they’re the kind of cookies that make your kitchen smell like Christmas.
Happy baking!
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Air Fryer Gingerbread Men cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting if needed when rolling out the dough)
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon all spice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Royal Icing:
- ½ lb powdered sugar
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add molasses, egg, and vanilla, then mix again until fully combined.
- Gradually stir in the dry mixture until a soft dough forms. If it feels sticky, add a bit more flour.
- Flatten the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Once chilled, roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thick. Use gingerbread man cutters to cut out shapes, gathering and rerolling scraps as needed.
- Place cookies in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between them. Air fry at 330°F for 8–10 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges.
- Transfer baked cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely before decorating.
Prepare the Royal Icing:
- Sift powdered sugar into a bowl. Add egg white and lemon juice, then beat until glossy and thick peaks form.
- Use the icing to pipe faces, buttons, and fun designs on the cooled cookies. Let the icing dry before serving or storing.
Notes
- If using Gingerbread spice instead of individual spices, use 1 tablespoon for this batch
- Chill for clean cuts: Cold dough is easier to handle and helps the cookies keep their shape while baking.
- Batch baking tip: If your air fryer is small, bake in batches and let the basket cool for a minute between rounds.
- Flavor boost: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for extra warmth.
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week. You can also freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months.
- Icing consistency: If your icing is too thick, add a few drops of water. Too thin? Add more powdered sugar.
Nutrition
