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There’s just something magical about the smell of gingerbread wafting through the house during the holidays. Growing up, making gingerbread men was a yearly tradition — but now that I use the air fryer, it’s faster, easier, and just as festive!
These air fryer gingerbread men come out soft-baked with chewy edges and slightly tender centers. They’re spiced just right with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves — and the dough is easy to roll and cut. No chilling needed!
You’ll love that these bake up in just 5 minutes per batch — no need to preheat the oven or wait around for big trays to finish. Plus, they’re great for kids to decorate with icing or candy buttons.
Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange or just cozying up with hot cocoa, these air fryer gingerbread men are a must-try. Let’s make some holiday memories!
🥕 Ingredients Overview
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these cute little cookies:
- All-purpose flour – The base of the dough. Spoon and level to avoid over-packing.
- Brown sugar – Adds sweetness and molasses-like depth. Light or dark both work.
- Unsalted butter – Softened so it creams easily. Swap for plant-based butter if needed.
- Molasses – The classic gingerbread flavor booster. Use unsulphured molasses.
- Egg – Helps bind everything together and keeps the cookies tender.
- Baking soda – Lifts the cookies just enough.
- Spices – Ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and a pinch of nutmeg.
- Salt – Just a bit to balance the sweetness.
Optional add-ins: A dash of black pepper for extra spice, or vanilla extract for added aroma.
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar until fluffy. Add 1/2 cup molasses and 1 egg, then mix until smooth. In another bowl, whisk 2 3/4 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tbsp ground ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp salt. Gradually add dry to wet until a soft dough forms.
- Roll and cut: Lightly flour a surface and roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut with gingerbread man cookie cutters. Reroll scraps as needed.
- Preheat and load: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Place cookies in a single layer in the air fryer basket on parchment paper.Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd — leave a little space between each cookie for even cooking.
- Air fry: Air fry for 4–5 minutes until set but not dark. They’ll firm up as they cool.
- Cool and decorate: Let cookies rest for 5 minutes before moving. Then decorate with icing, sprinkles, or candy if desired.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Rolling the dough too thin – They’ll turn crispy instead of soft.
- Overbaking – They continue to firm up as they cool.
- Overcrowding the basket – Blocks airflow and unevenly cooks the cookies.
- Skipping parchment paper – Makes cleanup harder and cookies may stick.
🎨 Variations & Add-Ons
- Crispier cookies: Roll thinner and bake 1–2 minutes longer.
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Extra spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or extra ginger.
- Iced and fancy: Decorate with royal icing or add mini chocolate chips for eyes.
- Vegan: Use dairy-free butter and a flax egg (1 tbsp flax + 2.5 tbsp water).
📦 Make Ahead & Storage
Make the dough up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temp for 10–15 minutes before rolling.
Baked cookies keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the cookies undecorated for up to 2 months. Just thaw and decorate as needed!
🥗 Nutrition Highlights
Around 120 calories per cookie (varies by size and decorations).
Air Fryer Gingerbread Men
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add molasses and egg, mix well.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. Gradually mix into wet.
- Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into gingerbread men.
- Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Line basket with parchment.
- Air fry cookies in batches for 4–5 minutes.
- Let cool slightly before decorating.
Notes
An automated tool is used to calculate nutritional information. Accuracy not guaranteed.
If you give these air fryer gingerbread men a try, I’d love to hear how they turn out! They’ve quickly become a holiday staple in our house — especially when we want cookies fast. Decorate them with the kids, gift them to friends, or sneak a few with your coffee. Want another cozy bake? Try my air fryer snickerdoodles — they’re cinnamony, soft, and just as quick!
