The Christmas pistachio and honey cookies in the air fryer are little crunchy and fragrant jewels that will immediately bring the holiday spirit into your kitchen. The pistachio gives taste and color, the honey wraps with its warm and golden aroma, and the cooking in air fryer makes everything simpler and faster.
These cookies have a rustic and fragrant texture, perfect to crunch next to a steaming cup of tea or to offer guests during the holidays. Making them is an act that smells of tradition, but with a modern touch thanks to the air fryer which allows you to obtain golden and even sweets without turning on the oven.
They are also ideal as homemade gifts: simply arrange them in a transparent bag with a red bow or in a Christmas box to win over anyone who receives them. To make them even more spectacular, you can dip one part in dark chocolate and decorate with pistachio granules. A simple but great idea to celebrate the magic of Christmas sweetly.
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: About 30 pieces
- Cooking methods: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas, Winter
Ingredients for Christmas Pistachio and Honey Cookies in Air Fryer:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 medium eggs (at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/8 cups crushed pistachios (unsalted)
- 1 pinch fine salt
- 2 tablespoons acacia honey (heaping)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or orange zest)
Tools for Christmas Pistachio and Honey Cookies in Air Fryer:
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Pastry Board
- 1 Electric Whisk
Steps for Preparing and Baking Christmas Cookies in Air Fryer:
In a large bowl, break the eggs and beat them with the sugar until the mixture becomes light and frothy.
Add the honey and cinnamon (to your taste) or the orange zest, mixing well to blend the flavors.
Add the sifted flour with the baking powder and a pinch of salt, working the dough with a spatula or with your hands until you get a soft but compact mass.
Gradually incorporate the pistachio granules, distributing them evenly.Transfer the mixture to a pastry board, work it again to obtain a homogeneous loaf which you will divide into several parts and form regular logs, about 2-3 inches wide and 7-8 inches long.
Preheat the air fryer and place the logs in the fryer basket on a sheet of parchment paper and cook at 340°F for about 15 minutes, until they are slightly golden on the surface.
Let cool for a few minutes, then cut them diagonally into slices about 3/4 inch thick.
Place the sliced cookies back in the basket, in a single layer, and bake them at 340°F for another 9-10 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking. When baking the cookies, it is no longer necessary to use parchment paper.Once cooled, you can enjoy them immediately or make them more spectacular by dipping one end in melted dark chocolate and decorating with more pistachio granules.
FAQ
Can I substitute the honey with another ingredient?
Yes, you can use maple or agave syrup for a different taste, or omit the honey and slightly increase the sugar.
Is it necessary to decorate with chocolate?
No, it’s optional. The cookies are delicious even plain as we have prepared them, but the chocolate makes them more spectacular and perfect for Christmas gifts.
Can I bake them in the oven instead of in an air fryer?
Certainly! For the first baking, cook the logs at 356°F (static) for 20-25 minutes, then slice them and continue with the second baking at 340°F for 10-12 minutes.
Can I make them in other shapes?
Yes! You can transform the dough into round cookies like cookies, use Christmas cutters to get stars or hearts, shape crescents, or cut into bars or squares.
👉 In an air fryer, round cookies or with cutters bake in about 10-12 minutes at 340°F (max 1.5 cm thick).
👉 For the classic logs, two bakings are required: 15 minutes + 9-10 minutes.
