Briana Milner When it’s cold outside, there’s nothing better than curling up in a blanket, reading a good book, enjoying your favorite warm beverage, and of course, eating some hot cocoa cookies!
Air Fryer Hot Cocoa cookies are soft and chewy and are topped with mini marshmallows. Hot cocoa cookies are easy to make, taking only 15 minutes to prep, and less than 10 minutes per batch to bake. This recipe is one that your kiddos could help with too, and then enjoy with you when the cookies are done.
Air Fryer hot cocoa cookies are soft and chewy, and tastes so good! They are a great afternoon snack, and are also perfect for dessert (make a few extra large cookies and add a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top!). They make a great addition to any cookie tray to share at work or for a cookie exchange. I’m thinking Santa might like these a lot with a glass of milk while out doing his deliveries on Christmas Eve!
If you enjoy drinking a mug of hot cocoa, you will love these cookies! They are made with hot cocoa mix, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows as well as many pantry staples.
Can I add more toppings to this recipe?
Yes! We love having marshmallows on top of our cookies, but you might want to try some other garnishes for your cookies such as M & M’s, peanut butter cups, crushed chocolate cookies, mini chocolate chips or crushed candy canes.
Why should I cook these in the Air Fryer?
I love using my air fryer as it bakes quicker than the oven would without heating the whole kitchen.
What if I don’t have an Air Fryer, or prefer using a conventional oven?
No problem! I have you covered! Preheat the oven @ 350 degrees; follow the recipe for ingredients and directions except for the air fryer, then bake for 9-11 minutes. Remove from the cooking sheet and let them cool on a baking rack.
How long do these cookies keep?
Hot cocoa cookies may be stored up to 3 days on the counter in an airtight container. Store in single layers to prevent the cookies from sticking together, or use wax paper to separate layers.
Can I freeze the cookie dough, or cookies?
Cookie dough can be frozen up to 2 months, and then thawed overnight before baking. I would suggest freezing the cookie dough as the cookies won’t be as delicious as when they are fresh, but you still can if that is what works best for you and your family! Cookies can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Enjoy! I know Santa will!
Ingredients:
Granulated white sugar – coconut sugar can be substituted for the granulated sugar if you wish.
Light brown sugar – light brown sugar is preferable for this recipe.
Salted butter – you can use unsalted butter if you are watching your sodium intake. I love using salted butter in my cookie recipes because I love the sweet and salty contrast!
Eggs – organic eggs are my preference as they will make your cookies fluffier!
Vanilla extract – the pure flavoring in a real extract provides a stronger aroma than using imitation vanilla.
Flour – all-purpose flour is best for this recipe.
Hot Cocoa Mix – regular or Dutch chocolate works well. For more marshmallows, you can use hot cocoa mix with marshmallows. Don’t use sugar-free cocoa mix as the cookies will not be as firm as they should be.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips – you can also use dark chocolate!
Mini marshmallows – you can use one large marshmallow instead of a few mini marshmallows on your cookies if you desire!
Mix the sugar, brown sugar, and butter using a stand or hand mixer. You want the mixture to be light and slightly clumpy.
Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until creamy.
In another bowl, add the flour, hot cocoa powder, and baking soda.
Mix until incorporated.
Gradually mix the cocoa mixture with the wet ingredients. Soft cookie dough will form.
Fold in the chocolate chips and 1 cup of marshmallows.
Roll the dough into balls by using a small cookie scoop to measure each cookie. Place the formed cookie dough on parchment inside the air fryer basket. Leave some space between cookies.
Cook at 300°f for 10 minutes. At 6 minutes, top each cookie with 2-3 marshmallows from the remaining amount which will flatten the cookies.
Once cooked, remove the cookies and place them on a baking rack to allow them time to cool.
Enjoy these cookies with milk or a hot cup of cocoa.
Supplies and ingredients I used to make these Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies:
I used my KitchenAid to mix up my ingredients. I love it because it does all the heavy lifting for me. And pro tip, while it mixes, I’ll slowly put ingredients away. Before the cookies are ready to go into the oven, your kitchen is clean! But you don’t need it if you don’t have one. A simple whisk or hand mixer will do. If you’re looking for a new one, here is the one I have in white! There are so many cute colors!
As mentioned before, you do not need an Air Fryer for this recipe. However, if you are searching for a new air fryer, this is the one our family has! It works well, is an 8 quart with a great size for our family of 4, and has a viewing window.
In addition to the ingredients, I used parchment paper to place inside my air fryer. They are not needed, nor necessary. Parchment paper does make for an easy clean-up, as well as easy, no-quick removal from the air fryer.
If you like these Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies, you should try these Girl Scout Copycat Thin Mint Cookies!
- Air Fryer Focaccia
- Air Fryer Korean-Style Beef Ribs
- Air Fryer Starbucks Copycat Kale and Mushroom Egg Bites
- Jalapeño Cheddar No Knead Artisan Bread Loaf
- Air Fryer Popcorn
Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup sugar
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 2 sticks salted butter softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 1/4 cups flour aerated
- 8 tbsp Hot Cocoa Mix
- 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Mix the sugar, brown sugar, and butter using a stand or hand mixer. You want the mixture to be light and slightly clumpy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until creamy.
- In another bowl, add the flour, hot cocoa powder, and baking soda and mix until incorporated.
- Gradually mix the cocoa mixture with the wet ingredients. Soft cookie dough will form.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and 1 cup of marshmallows.
- Roll the dough into balls by using a small cookie scoop to measure each cookie.
- Place the formed cookie dough on parchment inside the air fryer basket. Leave some space between cookies.
- Cook at 300°f for 10 minutes. At 6 minutes, top each cookie with 2-3 marshmallows from the remaining amount which will flatten the cookies.
- Once cooked, remove the cookies and place them on a baking rack to allow them time to cool.
- Enjoy these cookies with milk or a hot cup of cocoa.
