Giant Air Fryer Caramel Pecan Cookies
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Caramel Pecan Cookies are filled with absolutely everything you want in a dessert! They’re super soft, with pockets of chewy caramel bits and crunchy pecan pieces. You get candy-like nutty sweetness in each and every bite. With a caramel drizzle on top and a dollop of whipped cream, these air fryer cookies are outrageously scrumptious!!!
Doesn’t it seem like every dessert recipe makes way too many sweets to go around? If you’re not trying to feed a crowd, try this single serve cookie out for size!
Caramel Pecan Cookies
This easy treat has a fantastic blend of tastes and textures! The sweet sugar dough has a coarse salty topping.
Chewy, melted caramel bits just beside pockets of crunchy, nutty pecans. But it all works together just perfectly!
You get a little bit of everything you like in the caramel pecan cookies!
But, the thing I like the most about this air fryer pizookie is that it’s so simple to make.
By the time you’re done cleaning up, the skillet cookie can be served up with some vanilla ice cream!
I’m just a bit obsessed with caramel desserts. If you are too, you’ll probably love my caramel fudge brownies, toffee caramel cookies, and salted caramel cocoa bombs, too!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Sugar and Brown Sugar – Using a mix of white and brown sugar will keep the cookies nice and moist, and super chewy!
Brown sugar has a deeper, molasses-like sweetness, as opposed to white sugar, and really makes a difference in taste and texture. - Caramel Baking Bits – Kraft makes the caramel bits I use for these caramel pecan cookies. Look for them near the chocolate chips in the baking aisle.
During the fall season, you may find them in the Halloween candy aisle. - Pecans – You definitely want pieces, or chopped pecans, instead of the whole nuts.
You can leave a few whole ones to garnish for presentation, but the air fryer cookies will be too crunchy if you put them into the dough.
Get roasted pecans, or roast them on your own by lightly toasting them in a dry skillet on the stovetop. - Coarse Salt – Sprinkled on top, salt really cuts into the sweetness in the most delicious way! You definitely don’t want table salt – use sea or kosher salt.
- Baking Soda – If all you have is baking powder, you can use it, but you won’t have the same results.
Substituting Baking Powder for Baking Soda
Baking soda creates a coarse, chewy texture in cookies, while baking powder produces a light, fine texture.
For the best tasting caramel pecan cookies, use double-acting baking powder as a substitute for baking soda.
Otherwise, use regular baking powder, but triple the amount of baking soda called for in our recipe.
This is a good tip to remember when you don’t have baking soda on hand!
Skillet Cookie Recipe Tips & Variations
- Want more nuts?
You don’t have to stick to just pecans! Walnuts and hazelnuts go really well with caramel, too, and can be mixed right in instead of or alongside the pecans. - Tasty Add-Ins –
Replace half of the caramel bits with chocolate chunks for a caramelly, chocolatey, melty masterpiece!
Press some marshmallows into the top, not all throughout the cookie dough, for a summery s’more version of these air fryer cookies. - Make Caramel Pecan Cookie Bars!
This skillet cookie recipe is easy to convert into a cookie bar recipe!
Just press the dough into a 9×11-inch baking pan, then bake them in the oven at 350° F, rather than making them in the air fryer.
The baking time will vary, but start checking for doneness around the 18 minute mark.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Air Fryer Cookies
The caramel pecan cookie will keep well at room temperature for 5 days or so, as long as you keep it in an airtight container.
I like to slice the air fryer pizookie into pieces for easier storage.
To reheat, place the servings onto a microwavable plate, and microwave for short bursts until warm and melty.
If you’d like, you can freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months!
When you are ready to bake, let the dough thaw in the fridge until it’s soft enough to press into the skillet. Then, continue with the cookie recipe as normal.
Caramel Pecan Cookies FAQ
Chilling cookie dough can help to prevent cookies from spreading too much while baking.
That doesn’t really apply to this skillet cookie recipe, though. Actually, your caramel pecan cookies may take a bit longer to bake in the air fryer if the dough is cold.
When you’re making a skillet cookie recipe, in a 7-inch round skillet or pan, it will take somewhere between 10 and 12 minutes to air fry.
If you’re not sure if your air fryer cookies are done baking, try the toothpick test!
If you stick a toothpick into the cookie and it comes out clean, then you’re good to go. If possible, avoid the pockets of caramel.
Set your air fryer to 350°F when making cookies.
Enjoy!
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Air Fryer Caramel Pecan Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup caramel baking bits
- 1/2 cup pecan pieces
Topping
- 1/2 cup caramel baking bits
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- coarse salt
Instructions
- Grease a 7-inch round baking pan or skillet with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream the butter and 2 sugars together until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Reduce the mixer speed to medium-low; Add and blend in the baking soda, salt and flour.
- Using a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, gently stir in the pecans and ½ cup of caramel bits.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Air fry at 350°F. for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cookie comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs..
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine ½ cup caramel baking bits and heavy cream. Microwave on High in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until the caramel is melted and smooth.
- Drizzle topping over the cookie and sprinkle with coarse salt. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published August 2022
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I love the way this cookie looks. Will the caramel drizzle harden enuff to stack the cookies?
Hi Tina,
No, the caramel in this recipe is a sauce, so it will firm up a bit, but not enough to be able to stack the cookies.
TSRI Team member,
Becca
Donna, these sound amazing! I don’t have an air fryer so would the directions be any different to use a standard oven? I would also like to make regular cookie size so any changes there except probably timing? Thank you for this yummy recipe!
Hi Judy,
We have not tested regular size cookies with this recipe however, you can make delicious cookie bars. Just press the dough into a 9×11-inch baking pan, then bake them in the oven at 350° F, rather than making them in the air fryer. The baking time will vary, but start checking for doneness around the 18 minute mark. Hope this helps!
TSRI Team Member,
Holli
I now live alone and haven’t made cookies in a long time. Made this one in my small air fryer and had a yummy dessert for four days. Without buying “store bought” or extra ingredients (already had the chips for quite a while). SCORE!!
Hi Maureen,
We are so happy you enjoyed it! Have a great day!
TSRI Team Member,
Holli
This recipe from The Slow Roasted Italian is an absolute winner! So easy to make and unbelievably delicious. Donna and Chad never disappoint!
Hi Maya!
We’re so glad you enjoyed!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
Donna, your Caramel Pecan Cookies are a game-changer! I added some chocolate chips to the batter for an extra layer of yum. So easy to make and absolutely scrumptious!