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Air Fryer Cannoli Cookies are everything I love about a classic cannoli packed into a soft, tender, easy-to-make cookie I can make any day of the week. The ricotta keeps every single one incredibly moist and rich. Topped with a dark chocolate drizzle, crushed pistachios, and a dusting of powdered sugar, they look so gorgeous like they came straight out of a real Italian bakery.
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I love making these for Christmas cookie trays, birthdays, potlucks, and cookie exchanges when I want something that stands out. The air fryer makes them so much easier to pull off without heating up the whole kitchen. They pack and travel beautifully and are always the first thing to disappear from the plate. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Cannoli Cookies with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Here’s exactly how to whip up soft, delicious, ricotta-filled Air Fryer Cannoli Cookies with this easy start-to-finish guide.
Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder until combined. I always reach for this mixing bowl because it’s big enough to toss and mix everything without spilling, making prep effortless.
Cream the Butter and Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy. A stand mixer or a hand mixer makes this step effortless and gets the butter perfectly airy before you add the ricotta. Mix in the ricotta and vanilla until smooth and well combined.
Combine and Fold In the Chocolate Chips
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir gently just until combined and no dry streaks remain. I always reach for my silicone spatula because it folds ingredients gently and scrapes every bit from the bowl, making sure nothing goes to waste while keeping the mixture light and evenly combined.
Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the batter dense instead of light and tender. Then gently fold in the mini chocolate chips just until evenly distributed to keep the dough tender.
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Walking Taco Casserole
∙ Chocolate Cake Cookies
...and much more!
Scoop the Cookie Dough
Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or a lightly greased surface. Optionally, keep the dough covered or chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up before baking. A cookie scoop like this one keeps every cookie ball uniform, so your cookies bake evenly.
Prep the Air Fryer and Load the Basket
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper liners to prevent sticking and make cleanup effortless. Place several cookie dough balls inside, leaving room for spreading while baking.
Air Fry the Cookies
Air fry at 320°F (160°C) for 6 to 8 minutes, until the edges are golden brown. Every air fryer runs a little differently, so check at the 6-minute mark the first time you make these.
Rest and Flatten
Flatten each cookie gently with a spoon while it’s still warm. Let them rest in the basket for 5 minutes, then transfer to this wire cooling rack to finish cooling. Once cooled, spoon or pipe the cannoli filling into the center of each cookie.
Decorate and Serve
Drizzle the cooled cookies with chocolate syrup or melted chocolate, sprinkle chopped pistachios on top, and dust generously with powdered sugar using a piping bag for precise control. A fine mesh sifter makes that powdered sugar dusting look perfectly even and bakery-worthy every time. Enjoy!
These quick and easy desserts travel really well, which is part of why they’re such a popular pick for cookie swaps and parties. Once fully decorated and cooled, layer them in a sturdy cookie tin or airtight container with sheets of parchment or wax paper between each layer to protect the chocolate drizzle and powdered sugar topping.
If you’re heading somewhere warm, keep the container in a cool spot in your car rather than the trunk. They hold up beautifully at room temperature for the duration of most gatherings, so no cooler is needed for short trips.
Air Fryer Cannoli Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- ½ cup chocolate chips mini or regular
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Chocolate syrup or melted chocolate
- ¼ cup chopped pistachios
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder
- In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar for about 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Mix in the ricotta and vanilla until smooth.¾ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.½ cup chocolate chips
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto the baking sheets, leaving space between each.
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Place several cookie dough balls inside, leaving room for spreading.
- Air fry at 320°F (160°C) for 6–8 minutes, until the edges turn light golden.
- Flatten gently with a spoon while still warm. Let rest in the basket for 5 minutes, then move to a cooling rack.
- Drizzle with chocolate syrup or melted chocolate, sprinkle pistachios on top, and dust with powdered sugar.Chocolate syrup or melted chocolate, ¼ cup chopped pistachios, Powdered sugar
Notes
- Beat the butter fully: Beat the butter and sugar for the full 3 minutes before adding the ricotta. Under-creaming here leads to denser, flatter cookies.
- Don’t overmix the dough: Once the dry ingredients go in, stir just until combined. Overworking the dough toughens the cookies and takes away that soft, tender crumb the ricotta creates.
- Use whole milk ricotta: Part-skim or low-fat ricotta adds too much moisture and makes the dough harder to work with. Whole milk gives you the best texture and flavor.
- Leave room for spreading: Cookie dough balls need space in the air fryer basket. Crowding them causes uneven cooking and edges that don’t get that light golden color.
- Flatten while warm: Don’t skip the gentle flatten with a spoon right after air frying. The cookies are easiest to shape in the first minute or two out of the basket before they firm up.
- Flash freeze before storing: If you’re freezing a full batch, place the decorated cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 1 hour before transferring them to a container. This keeps the chocolate drizzle intact and prevents the cookies from sticking together.
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Walking Taco Casserole
∙ Chocolate Cake Cookies
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or wrap the fully decorated cookies in plastic wrap and layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy a frozen cookie, let it thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. A quick 10-second warm in the microwave brings back that soft, just-baked texture beautifully.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Cannoli Cookies
A shot of espresso or a strong cup of coffee is the classic pairing here, and it works for a reason. The bitter, bold notes of a dark roast cut right through the sweetness of the chocolate drizzle and powdered sugar, making every bite taste more balanced and intentional.
For a dessert spread, set them out alongside Italian-inspired treats like biscotti or a simple lemon panna cotta. A small bowl of extra chopped pistachios on the side lets guests add more crunch if they want it, and a hot chocolate dipping cup turns them into something extra special for holiday parties.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
Love how easy the air fryer makes everything? Here are more simple, delicious recipes you’ll want to try next.
