How to Reheat Cookies to Restore Crispness and Freshness

Reheating cookies is a great way to restore their crisp texture and fresh flavor if they have gotten stale sitting out or being stored. With the right technique, you can make day-old cookies taste like they just came straight out of the oven. This guide will provide tips and instructions for reheating cookies using a microwave, oven, air fryer, and toaster oven.

Reheating Cookies in the Microwave

The microwave provides a quick and easy way to reheat cookies in just minutes.

What You Need

• Leftover cookies
• Microwave-safe plate
• Paper towel

Instructions

1. Place 1-6 cookies on a microwave-safe plate depending on size. Make sure they are spaced apart.
2. Cover the cookies with a paper towel to prevent splattering and trapping steam.
3. Microwave in 30 second intervals until the cookies are warmed through. The time will depend on your microwave wattage and amount of cookies.
4. Allow the cookies to sit covered for 30 seconds after microwaving to evenly distribute the heat.
5. Repeat with any remaining cookies. Avoid microwaving more than 6 cookies at once.

Tip: For best results, microwave cookies at 50% power to ensure they heat gradually without getting rubbery.

Additional Microwave Tips

• Cookies with fillings or toppings may require extra microwave time. Watch carefully to avoid overheating.
• Allow thicker cookies like brownies more time, 45 seconds to 1 minute.
• Rotate the plate if there are microwaving hotspots.
• Control crispness based on time. The longer the cookies microwave, the softer they may get.

Baking Cookies in the Oven

The oven allows you to crisp up cookies by applying dry heat.

What You Need

• Leftover cookies
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Arrange stale cookies on the baking sheet evenly spaced apart.
4. Bake for 4-8 minutes, depending on cookie thickness.
5. Check frequently and rotate the pan if needed to prevent burning.
6. Cookies are ready when edges are slightly browned and crispy.
7. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving.

Tip: Watch closely as cookies can go from baked to burnt quickly due to their small size.

Additional Oven Tips

• Older, drier cookies may need less time, around 2-4 minutes.
• Soft cookies like chocolate chip may need more time, 6-8 minutes.
• Rearrange cookies on the pan halfway through for even browning.
• Bake cookies in batches to prevent overcrowding.

Reheating Cookies in an Air Fryer

Air fryers use extremely hot, circulating air to create a crispy, fried texture without oil.

What You Need

• Leftover cookies
• Air fryer
• Air fryer safe basket

Instructions

1. Preheat air fryer to 300°F.
2. Place a single layer of cookies in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd.
3. Cook for 2-5 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally.
4. Check frequently as cookies can burn quickly.
5. Cookies are done when edges are browned and crispy.
6. Allow cookies to cool slightly before serving.
7. Repeat with any remaining cookies. Avoid overfilling the air fryer basket.

Tip: Spritz cookies lightly with cooking spray before air frying for added crispness.

Additional Air Fryer Tips

• Smaller cookies may take only 2-3 minutes, while larger cookies need 4-5 minutes.
• Brush air fryer basket with oil for easy release if needed.
• Flip cookies halfway through for even browning.
• Air fry cookies in batches for best results.

Reheating Refrigerated Cookie Dough

For refrigerated pre-made cookie dough, you can reheat and bake as fresh cookies.

What You Need

• Refrigerated cookie dough
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to temperature specified on cookie dough packaging.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Use a spoon or cookie scoop to scoop rounded dough mounds, evenly spaced on the pan.
4. Bake for the time stated on packaging, roughly 12-18 minutes.
5. Cookies are done when edges are golden brown and centers are set.
6. Let cookies cool on pan for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
7. Enjoy these freshly baked cookies!

FAQ About Reheating Cookies

How do you soften hard cookies?
Place hard, dry cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread or apple overnight. The moisture softens them. You can also microwave 10-15 seconds to soften.

Can you reheat cookie dough in the microwave?
It’s not recommended. Microwaving unbaked cookie dough can create uneven cooking and lead to raw eggs. Always bake cookie dough in the oven as directed.

Is it safe to reheat cookies with cream or custard filling?
Yes, but take care not to overheat, which can cause the filling to separate or curdle. Microwave in short 10-15 second bursts.

Can I reheat break-and-bake cookie dough?
Yes, follow package instructions for baking frozen cookie dough. Thaw first if needed and bake 8-12 minutes until set.

How long do reheated cookies last?
Reheated cookies are best consumed within 3-5 days. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze after reheating.

Easy Recipes for Stale Cookies

Give leftover cookies new life with these tasty recipes!

1. Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Take softened vanilla ice cream and spread onto the flat side of a stale cookie. Top with another cookie to make a sandwich. Roll edges in sprinkles or chocolate chips before freezing.

2. Cookie Crumble Topping

Pulse stale cookies in a food processor until they become fine crumbs. Use as a crunchy topping on ice cream, yogurt, cakes and pies.

3. No-Bake Cookie Balls

Break stale cookies into pieces and pulse in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Add peanut butter or other binder and roll into balls. Coat in melted chocolate or sprinkles. Refrigerate until set.

Tips for Storing Cookies to Prevent Staling

• Store cookies at room temperature in an airtight container.
• Place cookies in layers separated by wax paper.
• Avoid refrigerating unless directed on packaging. This causes premature staling.
• Freeze cookie dough logs or pre-scooped dough rather than baked cookies. Thaw overnight before baking.
• Keep cookies away from moisture and humidity. Use a container with a tight seal.
• Baked cookies stay freshest for 2-3 days at room temperature.
• Unbaked refrigerated cookie dough lasts 1-2 weeks in the fridge.

Product Recommendations

Microwave:

1. Panasonic NN-SN936B – 1.2 cu. ft. 1200W microwave
2. Toshiba EM131A5C-BS – 1.2 cu. ft. 1100W microwave
3. GE JES1656SRSS – 1.6 cu. ft. 1000W microwave
4. LG LMC1536ST – 1.5 cu. ft. 1200W microwave
5. Breville Quick Touch BMO734XL – 1.2 cu. ft. 1200W microwave

Oven:

1. GE JB645DKWW – 5.3 cu. ft. electric double oven
2. Samsung NE59M4320SS – 5.9 cu. ft. electric double oven
3. LG LDE4415ST – 6.3 cu. ft. electric double oven
4. Bosch HBL5351UC – 5.1 cu. ft. electric single oven
5. Whirlpool WOS31ES7JS – 4.8 cu. ft. electric single oven

Air Fryer:

1. Cosori Air Fryer Max XL
2. Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
3. Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer
4. Philips Premium Airfryer XXL
5. Chefman TurboFry 8 Qt Air Fryer

Toaster Oven:

1. Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro
2. Cuisinart TOB-260N1 Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven
3. Panasonic FlashXpress NB-G110P Toaster Oven
4. Hamilton Beach 31334 Toaster Oven
5. Black+Decker TO3250XSB 8-Slice Extra Wide Convection Countertop Toaster Oven

Reheating day old cookies at home is easy and effective using several different appliances like the microwave, oven, and air fryer. With the proper technique, you can restore that fresh from the oven taste and texture. Now you can enjoy delicious crispy cookies again without needing to freshly bake them.