These butter cookies are sweet with a hint of lemon!
These are classic butter cookies with a sandy, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a bright lemon note. They’re simple to prepare in an air fryer and pair perfectly with tea or milk. Ready to make Air Fryer lemon butter cookies? Let’s get started in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
What You Need For This Recipe
These lemon butter cookies require just a few basic ingredients. Prepare the following before you begin:
- All-purpose flour — you can also use a 1:1 gluten-free flour or whole wheat flour if preferred
- Butter — use regular or plant-based butter for a dairy-free version
- Powdered sugar — gives the cookies a fine, tender crumb
- Lemon juice — fresh lemon juice adds bright flavor
- Salt — a pinch to balance the sweetness
The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below.
How To Make Air Fryer Butter Cookies Without Eggs
- Bring the butter to room temperature so it’s soft but not melted.
- Cream the butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
- Add a pinch of salt and fresh lemon juice, mixing with a whisk or mixer.
- Fold in the flour gently with a fork, wooden spoon, or mixer, taking care not to overwork the dough.
- Use your hands to bring the dough together into a smooth ball.
- Place the dough on a cutting board, shape it into a log, and wrap it tightly in cling film.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes (longer is fine).
- Preheat the air fryer to 330°F (166°C). If you have a grill pan for the air fryer, you can use it.
- Unwrap the chilled log and slice into ½-inch rounds.
- Line the air fryer basket with non-perforated parchment paper and arrange the slices with about 1½ inches between them to allow for spreading.
- Bake in the air fryer for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to keep them tender.
- Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack with tongs; they will crisp up as they cool.
- Serve or store once completely cooled.
Can I Bake Cookies In An Air Fryer?
Yes—air fryers are excellent for small-batch baking. The circulating hot air cooks cookies quickly and evenly. Fresh from the air fryer they may feel soft, but they develop a pleasant crispness as they cool.
Shortbread-style cookies like these are especially good for dunking in milk or tea.
Do I Need To Use Parchment Paper For Baking Cookies In An Air Fryer?
Parchment paper isn’t required but does make cleanup easier and prevents sticking. Use non-perforated parchment or a silicone mat sized for your basket.
Note: lightweight parchment can lift in the air fryer’s airflow—place the parchment and dough together so the weight keeps it flat, or use a heavier silicone mat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe proves you don’t need many ingredients to make a delicious cookie. The dough uses fewer than five components, and no eggs or milk are required—making it easy to adapt for lactose-intolerant or vegan diets by swapping in plant-based butter.
The cookies have a tender, sandy crumb and a delicate lemon brightness. They crisp as they cool and are perfect for gifting or enjoying with a hot drink.
Do I Need To Roll My Butter Cookie Dough?
No rolling is necessary. Shaping the dough into a log and slicing it keeps the dough cool and makes uniform rounds. Chill before slicing for clean edges and minimal spreading.
Can I Make Butter Cookies Ahead?
Yes. You can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance—wrap it tightly in cling film and refrigerate. When ready, slice and bake as directed. Dough can also be frozen for longer storage.
How To Store Lemon Butter Cookies
You can store either the dough or the baked cookies:
Store Butter Cookie Dough
- Refrigerator – wrap the dough in cling film and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freezer – wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month; thaw in the fridge before slicing and baking.
Store Baked Butter Cookies
Keep baked cookies at room temperature in an airtight container or resealable bag for up to 5 days. A glass jar or airtight container will preserve texture and flavor.
Do I Have To Chill Butter Cookie Dough?
Yes. Chilling firms the butter and slows spread while baking, helping cookies keep their shape and develop a better texture. A short chill of 15 minutes is enough, though longer is fine.
More Air Fryer Baking Recipes To Try
If you enjoy air fryer baking, try other small-batch recipes such as palmiers, molten lava cakes, brownies, lemon cake, cheesecake, or peanut butter cookies for more variety.
Air Fryer Butter Cookies
14
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
30 minutes
These lemon butter cookies are egg-free and can be made dairy-free with plant-based butter. They crisp as they cool and are ideal with tea or milk. Make a batch to enjoy or share.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (110 grams)
- 6 tablespoons butter (85 grams) — or plant-based butter
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (25 grams)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Let the butter reach room temperature. Cream butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, then add a pinch of salt and lemon juice.
- Fold in the flour gently until combined, taking care not to overmix.
- Knead the dough lightly into a ball, shape into a log, and wrap in cling film.
- Chill the dough for at least 15 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 330°F (166°C). Unwrap and slice the log into ½-inch rounds.
- Line the basket with non-perforated parchment and arrange the slices with spacing for spreading.
- Bake 8–10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking.
- Transfer cookies to a rack to cool; they will crisp as they cool. Serve or store.
Notes
You can substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend if needed.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 14
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 56Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 39mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 0g
Please note: Nutrition information is provided as an estimate and may not be completely accurate.