Air fryer candy cane cookies are a festive Christmas treat with a buttery texture, a hint of peppermint, and the classic red-and-white twist that makes them look just like little candy canes. They’re a fun addition to holiday baking, Christmas cookie platters, and homemade edible gifts. Best of all, you can make these adorable cookies in the air fryer without heating up your entire kitchen.

Christmas Candy Cane Cookies Recipe

These Christmas candy cane cookies combine a soft, buttery sugar-cookie dough with a refreshing hint of peppermint. Each cookie is shaped from two thin ropes of dough, one plain and one coloured red, then twisted together and curved at the top to create the traditional candy cane shape.

Because air fryers vary in size and cooking power, it’s best to bake these cookies in small batches and check them early. The goal is a lightly set cookie with pale edges rather than a deeply browned finish.

Recipe at a glance

Prep time: 20 minutes
Chilling time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 7–10 minutes per batch
Total time: Approximately 1 hour
Yield: About 18–24 cookies, depending on size
Air fryer temperature: 160°C / 320°F

Ingredients

This recipe makes a simple peppermint cookie dough using everyday baking ingredients.

What You’ll Need

250 g all-purpose flour: Forms the base of the cookie dough.
115 g unsalted butter, softened: Adds a rich, buttery flavour and tender texture.
100 g granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps create a delicate texture.
1 large egg: Binds the dough together.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds warmth and balances the peppermint.
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract: Provides a festive mint flavour. Adjust carefully because peppermint extract can be strong.
½ teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly.
¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness.
Red gel food colouring: Colours half of the dough without adding too much liquid.

Optional Decoration

1 tablespoon granulated sugar for sprinkling, if desired.
A small amount of melted white chocolate for drizzling after baking, if you want an extra festive finish.

Helpful tip: Gel food colouring is usually preferable to liquid colouring because it gives a stronger red colour without making the dough too wet.

How to Make Candy Cane Cookies

Follow these steps to prepare and air fry your festive Christmas cookies.

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Place the softened butter and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl. Beat them together until the mixture looks creamy and smooth.

Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix until combined. Stir in the peppermint extract.

Avoid melting the butter. Softened butter helps create a dough that’s easier to shape and holds the candy cane design better.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Stop mixing as soon as the flour is incorporated to help keep the cookies tender.

If the dough feels very sticky, refrigerate it before shaping rather than adding too much extra flour.

Step 3: Divide and Colour the Dough

Divide the dough into two equal portions.

Leave one portion plain. Add a little red gel food colouring to the other portion and knead gently until the colour is evenly distributed.

Add the colouring gradually until you achieve the shade of red you like. Wash your hands or use separate utensils when handling the coloured dough to avoid transferring colour to the plain portion.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Cover both portions of dough and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

Chilling helps firm up the butter, making the dough easier to roll into ropes and twist without breaking. If the dough becomes too firm to shape, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes.

Step 5: Shape the Candy Cane Cookies

Take a small piece of plain dough and a similar-sized piece of red dough.

Roll each piece into a thin rope approximately 10–12 cm long. Place the two ropes next to each other and gently twist them together.

Curve one end of the twisted rope to create the hook of a candy cane. Transfer the shaped cookie to a piece of baking parchment suitable for your air fryer, making sure the parchment does not extend beyond the food or block airflow.

Repeat with the remaining dough.

Step 6: Preheat the Air Fryer

If your air fryer manufacturer’s instructions recommend preheating, set it to 160°C / 320°F. Some models do not require preheating, so follow the guidance for your appliance.

A moderate temperature helps the cookies set without browning too quickly.

Step 7: Arrange the Cookies in the Basket

Place the cookies in a single layer, leaving space between them because the dough may spread slightly during cooking.

Cook in batches if necessary. Do not overcrowd the basket, and never place loose baking parchment in the air fryer during preheating, as the airflow can lift it towards the heating element.

Step 8: Air Fry the Candy Cane Cookies

Air fry at 160°C / 320°F for approximately 7–10 minutes.

Start checking at around 6 minutes. The cookies should look set, with pale bottoms and edges that are only lightly coloured. Avoid waiting for them to become deeply golden, as they may turn dry or lose their festive appearance.

Cooking times vary according to cookie size, dough temperature, and air fryer model. Adjust the time as needed and check each batch carefully.

Step 9: Cool Before Serving

Carefully remove the cookies and allow them to cool on the parchment or a heat-safe tray for a few minutes. They will be delicate when hot and become firmer as they cool.

Once completely cool, add a light sprinkle of sugar or drizzle with melted white chocolate if desired.

Serve them with hot chocolate, tea, or coffee, or package them in a festive tin for a homemade Christmas gift.

Tips and Tricks

These simple tips will help you make beautiful candy cane cookies that hold their shape and bake evenly.

1. Don’t Skip Chilling the Dough

Chilling helps the butter firm up and makes the dough easier to roll. If the ropes become sticky or difficult to handle, return the dough to the refrigerator for another 10–15 minutes.

2. Use Similar-Sized Dough Ropes

Try to make the red and plain ropes the same length and thickness. This creates an even twist and helps the cookies cook consistently.

3. Twist Gently

Avoid twisting the dough too tightly, as it can stretch or break. A gentle twist gives the cookies their traditional striped appearance without distorting the shape.

4. Use Peppermint Extract Sparingly

Peppermint extract is concentrated, and too much can overpower the buttery flavour. Start with ¼ teaspoon and increase slightly only if you prefer a stronger mint taste.

5. Choose Gel Food Colouring

Gel colouring produces a bright red dough without adding much moisture. Add it gradually to avoid making the coloured dough too sticky.

6. Keep the Cookies Small and Even

Smaller cookies are easier to fit in the air fryer and tend to bake more evenly. If you make larger candy canes, allow additional cooking time and check them frequently.

7. Use Air Fryer-Safe Parchment Correctly

Use parchment specifically suitable for air fryers, cut to fit the cooking area. Keep it underneath the cookies and ensure the food weighs it down. Never let loose parchment touch the heating element or block the air vents.

8. Cook a Test Cookie First

Air fryers can vary significantly in temperature and airflow. Bake one test cookie first to check whether the temperature and cooking time work well for your appliance. Adjust the remaining batches as needed.

9. Avoid Overbaking

The cookies should be set but still fairly pale. They will firm up as they cool, so don’t wait until they feel completely hard inside the air fryer.

10. Store Only When Completely Cool

Warm cookies release steam, which can soften their texture inside a container. Allow them to cool completely before storing them in an airtight tin.

11. Make the Dough Ahead

You can prepare the dough a day ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Let it soften slightly before shaping if it becomes too firm to roll.

12. Have Fun With the Colours

Traditional red and white looks festive, but you can also make green-and-white candy canes or use different shades of red for a playful Christmas cookie platter.

Air fryer candy cane cookies are a charming addition to your Christmas baking. Their buttery texture, refreshing peppermint flavour, and classic twisted shape make them ideal for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, and homemade gifts. Chill the dough, shape the stripes gently, and bake in small batches for the best results.