Ready to bake Pillsbury sugar cookies are just a classic! They release so many fun holiday patterns, not just limited to Christmas. There’s patterns for Halloween, Easter, and more! Nowadays, I make my Pillsbury sugar cookies in the air fryer for a quick and easy option.
Pillsbury holiday shape cookies are pre-cut sugar cookies that are ready to bake and feature colorful designs in the dough. They’re available for a variety of occasions, like bunnies for Easter, hearts for Valentine’s Day, ghosts for Halloween, or reindeer and trees for Christmas!
The idea with these cookies is that there is no preparation required at all! No mixing, cutting, shaping, or any other preparation task is required. Simply place and bake, for a sweet treat with adorable theming.
So, why choose the air fryer? Well, the air fryer preheats a lot faster than the oven, and it actually bakes the cookies quicker as well. In short, you’ll save some time! Plus, it leaves your oven available for other items, so you can work on dinner and dessert simultaneously!
If you prefer to make your own instead of using premade, make sure to check out my homemade Air Fryer Sugar Cookies recipe as well!
Ingredients List
9-ounce package Pillsbury ready to bake shapes sugar cookie dough
Step By Step Instructions
Line your air fryer basket with perforated parchment or foil, or a silicone baking liner. If you have very narrow grates or mesh, you may be able to skip this, but it prevents the cookies from falling through and becoming misshapen
Place the Pillsbury sugar cookies in a single layer approximately ½” apart to allow for slight expansion during cooking
Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 6-8 minutes, until the cookies are set but not browning (they should puff up slightly). If you need to do multiple batches, reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes for subsequent batches, or let the air fryer cool in between
Cool in the air fryer for at least 5 minutes (longer is fine as well) before transferring to a rack to cool completely. This should give the cookies time to harden slightly so they don’t break. Enjoy!
What Are the Ideal Cooking Times and Temperatures for Pillsbury Sugar Cookies in the Air Fryer?
The ideal temperature for air frying Pillsbury sugar cookies usually ranges between 320°F to 350°F (160°C to 180°C).
The cooking time might vary, but typically falls between 6 to 10 minutes, based on your desired level of doneness and the air fryer’s wattage.
Can I Use the Air Fryer to Make Pillsbury Sugar Cookies Crispy or Chewy?
Yes, you can! Adjusting the cooking time can influence the texture of your cookies. For a crispier result, bake them for a bit longer.
Conversely, reducing the time slightly can maintain a chewier consistency.
How Should I Prepare the Air Fryer Basket or Tray for Baking Pillsbury Sugar Cookies?
Preparing the air fryer basket or tray generally involves lining it with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
While you could attempt to cook them without any liner, the cookies become soft as they cook, and will form into the grates of your basket or tray. They’re still edible, but less aesthetically pleasing.
Can I Add Decorations or Frosting to Pillsbury Sugar Cookies After Air Frying?
Absolutely! Once the cookies are baked in the air fryer and have cooled down, you can decorate or frost them as desired.
This allows for more customization, especially if using plain, unprinted cookies. Use colors for the occasion, season, or flavor you desire.
Can Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough Be Frozen for Later Use in the Air Fryer?
Yes, Pillsbury ready to bake cookie dough may be frozen for up to 2 months for later use.
You may either defrost in the refrigerator overnight before using, or carefully pry them out and cook directly from frozen in the air fryer. Frozen will require 1-2 additional minutes of cooking time.
Recipe Pro Tips
I can fit 8 cookies at a time in each 4-qt basket of my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. I find that you actually need the full amount to weigh down the parchment so it doesn’t curl up (but not all air fryers will do this, or you can use a silicone mat, which is heavier)
If your cookies look misshapen when you open the air fryer, gently reshape with spatula while they are hot. Note that if they are just puffy, they will fall as they begin to cool
There’s no set time you have to cook Pillsbury sugar cookie shapes. They are safe to eat raw, but you can cook them extra if you like them brown and crispy!
Storage Tips
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container or zippered bag at room temperature for up to 1 week (or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, but they never last that long)!
Pillsbury cookies may be frozen before or after baking for 2-3 months for longer term storage. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight for best results (or cook directly from frozen in the air fryer if you can pry them apart)
I love to make Pillsbury sugar cookies in the air fryer. The fun seasonal and holiday prints make them so much fun! Plus, they come ready to bake (or eat raw) so there’s no prep work involved and they’re so easy to make.
Whether you’re making them for a quick Christmas cookie option or for a dessert any time, they’re fun, simple, and approved by kids and adults alike. Plus, you can store them in the freezer for a quick option for unexpected guests.
The air fryer cuts the cooking time nearly in half when compared to the oven, especially when you factor in preheat time. It’s also a great way to multitask so you can make dinner and dessert at the same time!
Pillsbury Sugar Cookies in the Air Fryer (Ready to Bake Shapes)
Ditch the prep work and make Pillsbury sugar cookies in the air fryer in just minutes! These ready to bake shapes are perfect for Christmas and many other occasions.
9Ouncepackage Pillsbury ready to bake shapes sugar cookie dough
Instructions
Line your air fryer basket with perforated parchment or foil, or a silicone baking liner. If you have very narrow grates or mesh, you may be able to skip this, but it prevents the cookies from falling through and becoming misshapen
Place the Pillsbury sugar cookies in a single layer approximately ½” apart to allow for slight expansion during cooking
Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 6-8 minutes, until the cookies are set but not browning (they should puff up slightly). If you need to do multiple batches, reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes for subsequent batches, or let the air fryer cool in between
Cool in the air fryer for at least 5 minutes (longer is fine as well) before transferring to a rack to cool completely. This should give the cookies time to harden slightly so they don’t break. Enjoy!
Notes
I can fit 8 cookies at a time in each 4-qt basket of my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. There are 20 in the package, so you may need multiple batches depending on your air fryer’s size
If your cookies look misshapen when you open the air fryer, gently reshape with spatula while they are hot. Note that if they are just puffy, they will fall as they begin to cool
There’s no set time you have to cook Pillsbury sugar cookie shapes. They are safe to eat raw, but you can cook them extra if you like them brown and crispy
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container or zippered bag at room temperature for up to 1 week (or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, but they never last that long)!
Pillsbury cookies may be frozen before or after baking for 2-3 months for longer term storage. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight for best results (or cook directly from frozen in the air fryer if you can pry them apart – add 1-2 minutes extra time in this case)
Exact nutritional values will vary based on flavor of ingredients, any decorations added, and total quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
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I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
