Air Fryer Lemon Cake Mix Cookies: Quick, Zesty & Crinkle-Topped

Some afternoons call for sunshine in cookie form—without turning the whole kitchen upside down.
And if you’re anything like me, you want maximum yum with minimum mess (bonus points if you can do it while your toddler naps). These Air Fryer Lemon Cake Mix Cookies are the dream: soft, chewy, perfectly zesty, and ready in less time than it takes to clear the snack cupboard.

As a full-time blogger and mum of three, I’ve fallen deeply in love with my air fryer—not just for dinners, but for cosy little treats like this. This recipe is sweet, simple, and ridiculously satisfying. You’ll get golden edges, a crackly powdered sugar finish, and that bright lemon flavour we all crave once spring hits.

Before we dive in—yes, I use my beloved Ninja Air Fryer for this recipe. I’ve tested a few, and this one has honestly changed how I cook dinner with three kids running around. If you don’t already have one, I highly recommend it.

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All opinions remain my own.

These easy air fryer lemon cookies are made with cake mix and ready in under 10 minutes! A soft, zesty treat that’s perfect for busy mums.

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Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Lemon Cookies

• Only 6 ingredients
• No oven needed
• Made in one bowl, zero stress
• Soft, chewy, crinkle-topped sunshine in a cookie

These are the kind of cookies you’ll want to bake again and again—because they’re that easy and that delicious.

Ingredients

You only need 6 ingredients and one bowl. Pure mum magic.

• 1 box (15.25 oz / approx. 432g) lemon cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Charlotte Tip: Want extra zing? Swap the oil for lemon olive oil or add ½ tsp lemon extract. Don’t skip the zest—it’s where the sunshine lives!

Air Fryer Instructions

1. Preheat Your Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 160°C (320°F) If you have a Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer Dual Air Fryer, there is no need to preheat (Bonus). Line the basket or tray with parchment paper or a silicone liner. This helps avoid sticking and gives a more even bake.

2. Make the Dough

In a large bowl, stir together the cake mix, eggs, oil, lemon juice, and zest until fully combined. The dough will be thick and sticky—don’t worry, it’s meant to be.

3. Chill the Dough

Pop the dough in the fridge for 15–20 minutes to make rolling easier and get that dreamy crinkle on top.

Charlotte Tip: I do this during a quick toy tidy-up or while loading the dishwasher. Zero wasted time!

4. Roll & Sugar

Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and coat each one in powdered sugar. Be generous with the coating—it gives that signature crackled look.

5. Air Fry in Batches

Place 3–4 cookie dough balls in the air fryer basket, spaced apart.
Air fry at 160°C for 7–8 minutes until crackled on top and lightly golden on the edges.

6. Cool & Serve

Let the cookies cool in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. They’ll firm up as they cool, but stay gorgeously soft inside.

My Favourite Variations

• Add white chocolate chips for a lemon drizzle twist
• Try raspberry cake mix with lemon zest for a fruity mash-up
• Make mini cookie sandwiches with lemon curd or whipped cream in the middle

Charlotte Tip: Freeze rolled dough balls on a tray, then store in a ziplock bag. Pop them straight into the air fryer whenever you need a sweet pick-me-up.

Before You Go

Lemon Love in Every Bite

These air fryer lemon cake mix cookies are a mum-life dream—quick, affordable, and full of flavour. Whether baking with your kids, treating yourself to a quiet cuppa, or pulling together a last-minute treat before the school run, this recipe delivers.

So pop a batch in the air fryer and romanticise your snack break like the Soft Girl CEO you are.
Do you love this recipe as much as I do? 💛 Pin it on Pinterest, share it, or tag me when you bake—I always want to see your sunny creations!