Lemon Cookie Bites are a sweet, tangy dessert great for summer picnics, pool parties, barbecues and end-of-school parties. They're like eating a soft sugar cookie, but in mini bite form! You can bake them in the oven, but in the summer when it's really hot, I use my air fryer and a silicone mold to avoid heating up the entire kitchen. You can also keep them in the shape of traditional cookies- they will be delicious either way!
I first started making these as traditionally shaped lemon cookies, but my kids found it more appealing when I shaped them into little balls. They are the perfect size for little hands. I experimented with making them in the air fryer instead of the oven when the oven was being repaired and there was no difference in taste or texture, so that's an option too!
Lemon desserts should be enjoyed all spring and summer long! When you're done trying these cookies, make sure to check out this super simple lemon olive oil cake and strawberry lemonade bread.
Why I Love This Recipe
- It uses simple, seasonal ingredients.
- The air fryer option keeps your oven from heating up the kitchen in the summer heat.
- Cookie bites are convenient as a mini treat for parties, cookouts and gatherings during the spring and summer.
- Kids love them at school parties and birthday parties.
- Easy to make using a basic cookie recipe, plus lemon juice and lemon extract.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Unsalted butter
- Lemon extract. If you can't find it, add an extra tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Lemon juice. Fresh squeezed lemon juice tastes the best. For a more subdued lemon flavor, bottled lemon juice is fine to use.
- Yellow food coloring. Optional, and only adds bright yellow color to the cookies. Add as much or as little as you'd like.
- Baking powder/soda
How To Make Lemon Cookie Balls
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar on medium speed until well combined. Add the lemon extract and eggs. Continue beating on medium until mixed and fluffy.
- Add the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Pour the lemon juice on top of the baking soda (it should fizzle). Beat on low until the flour is mostly incorporated into the batter. Switch the speed to medium and beat until batter is uniform and smooth.
- Add the milk and food coloring. Add as much food coloring until you get to the shade you like. Beat on medium until smooth.
- Chill the dough until ready to use. This can be anywhere from a couple hours to a couple days. For immediate use, put in the freezer for 30 minutes and then make the cookies.
- Shape the dough into balls using 1-2 tablespoon of dough. Place on a nonstick baking sheet about 2 inches apart and bake for 8-10 minute at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or until the edges just begin to brown. If making mini bites, spray an egg bite mold lightly with cooking oil and add the dough to each hole. Place in the oven and bake for the time suggested above or in the air fryer for 8 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove from the oven or air fryer and let cool for 5 minutes.
Kristina's Tips
- This recipe makes 2 dozen cookies but is small batch approved and can be halved (or doubled/tripled for large batches).
- The dough can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months before using- a great option for a busy summer!
How To Store Lemon Cookies
Room temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Freezer: freeze for up to 6 months in an airtight plastic bag.
Recipe
Lemon Cookie Bites
Lemon Cookie Bites are a sweet, tangy dessert great for summer picnics, pool parties, barbecues and end-of-school parties. They're like eating a soft sugar cookie, but in mini bite form!
Bookmark Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 ½ tablespoon milk
- yellow food coloring optional
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar on medium speed until well combined. Add the lemon extract and eggs. Continue beating on medium until mixed and fluffy.
- Add the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Pour the lemon juice on top of the baking soda (it should fizzle). Beat on low until the flour is mostly incorporated into the batter. Switch the speed to medium and beat until batter is uniform and smooth.
- Add the milk and food coloring. Add as much food coloring until you get to the shade you like. Beat on medium until smooth. Chill the dough until ready to use. This can be anywhere from a couple hours to a couple days. For immediate use, put in the freezer for 30 minutes and then make the cookies.
- Shape the dough into balls using 1-2 tablespoon of dough. Place on a nonstick baking sheet about 2 inches apart and bake for 8-10 minute at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or until the edges just begin to brown. If making mini bites, spray an egg bite mold lightly with cooking oil and add the dough to each hole. Place in the oven and bake for the time suggested above or in the air fryer for 8 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove from the oven or air fryer and let cool for 5 minutes.
Notes
Tip 1: This recipe makes 2 dozen cookies but is small batch approved and can be halved (or doubled/tripled for large batches).
Tip 2: The dough can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months before using- a great option for a busy summer!
Storing: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 6 months in an airtight plastic bag.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cookieCalories: 90kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 57mgPotassium: 15mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 130IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg
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Mary Ann says
Where do you get egg bite molds…could you make these without mold?
Kristina says
You can find egg bite molds online on Amazon or in big chain stores like Target, Walmart and Kohls. Here is one option from Amazon. https://amzn.to/3F9CN5Y
And yes, you can make them without the molds too. Enjoy!
Faith Still says
What a cute idea! I bet you could frost these and make cute cake pops too.
Freya says
Oooh I’m seriously considering buying an air fryer and this is just another pro, that you can bake in it!
Nora says
What a wonderful recipe, and pretty easy to make! Never made cookies with the air fryer! Have to try it out soon!
Addison says
I love that you made these in the air fryer! I love anything lemon. So yummy!
Kim Guzman says
I'm so glad to have stumbled on this recipe. I love lemon and I'm so intriguted to use the air fryer to make cookies. They look like they will melt in your mouth. Yum!