This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
If peppermint bark and a chewy chocolate cookie had a baby, it would be this. These peppermint bark cookies are everything you want in a festive treat: rich cocoa flavor, melty white chocolate, and that refreshing crunch of peppermint on top. And the best part? You can make them right in the air fryer!
Last December, I whipped these up on a snowy afternoon when I didn’t want to turn on the oven. One batch led to three, and suddenly I had a cookie tin full of glossy, holiday-ready bites that looked like they came from a fancy bakery.
They bake in just 5–6 minutes, so they’re perfect when you want a fast dessert or need to impress with something homemade. These cookies start with a soft, brownie-like chocolate base and get topped after baking with melted white chocolate and crushed candy canes for that signature peppermint bark look and crunch.
If you love rich chocolate and minty freshness, don’t sleep on this recipe. Let’s get that air fryer humming!
🥕 Ingredients Overview
- All-purpose flour – The base for structure.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – For that deep chocolate flavor.
- Baking soda – Gives the cookies a slight lift.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter – Softened so it creams smoothly.
- Brown sugar + granulated sugar – A mix gives you soft centers with crisp edges.
- Egg – Binds the dough.
- Vanilla + peppermint extract – For depth and that cooling minty touch.
- White chocolate chips or baking wafers – Melted for topping.
- Crushed candy canes – The bark crunch!
Optional Add-ins: Mini chocolate chips or a sprinkle of flaky salt on top.
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the dough: Cream 1/2 cup softened butter with 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until fluffy. Mix in 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1/2 tsp peppermint extract. In a separate bowl, whisk 1 cup flour, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt. Add dry to wet until just combined.
- Scoop and chill: Scoop 1-inch dough balls and chill for 20 minutes. This helps them hold shape.
- Preheat and load: Preheat air fryer to 325°F (160°C). Place dough balls on parchment in the basket.Pro Tip: Don’t flatten them — they’ll spread just right on their own!
- Air fry: Cook for 5–6 minutes until just set. Let cool in the basket for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Top with bark: Drizzle with melted white chocolate and immediately sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Let set before serving.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not chilling the dough – They’ll spread too much.
- Using too much peppermint extract – It can overpower easily.
- Adding toppings too late – White chocolate needs to be soft so peppermint sticks.
- Overbaking – They’ll lose their chew.
🎨 Variations & Add-Ons
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Double chocolate: Stir mini chocolate chips into the dough.
- Extra minty: Add chopped Andes mints on top instead of candy canes.
- Sandwich-style: Fill two cookies with peppermint frosting.
- Vegan: Use plant-based butter and a flax egg.
📦 Make Ahead & Storage
Make the dough up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate. Scoop and chill before baking.
Store baked cookies in an airtight container for 4–5 days. You can also freeze the dough balls or baked cookies (without toppings) for up to 2 months.
🥗 Nutrition Highlights
About 130 calories per cookie (based on 20 cookies with toppings).
Air Fryer Peppermint Bark Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cream butter and sugars. Mix in egg and extracts.
- Whisk dry ingredients, then combine with wet.
- Scoop dough into balls and chill for 20 minutes.
- Preheat air fryer to 325°F (160°C). Line basket with parchment.
- Air fry for 5–6 minutes. Cool briefly.
- Drizzle with white chocolate, sprinkle candy canes.
Notes
An automated tool is used to calculate nutritional information. Accuracy not guaranteed.
I hope you love these peppermint bark cookies as much as I do! They’re my favorite shortcut to festive flavor — rich, minty, and beautifully crinkled with that candy cane crunch. Try them once and they might just earn a permanent spot in your holiday cookie lineup. Let me know how yours turn out and tag me in your holiday baking pics! Want another minty treat? Try my air fryer chocolate mint brownies — fudgy, cool, and crowd-pleasing.
