Is there anything better than a warmed-up cookie? (Don’t even get me started on a warm cookie with a plop of vanilla ice cream on top – drool.) A warm, ooey-gooey cookie is arguably one of the most indulgent treats on the planet. But how do you reheat cookies so they’re beautifully tender and melt in your mouth?
The best way to reheat cookies is in a preheated 350F oven for six or seven minutes. A quicker method is the microwave for up to 20 seconds. You can also use an air fryer or toaster for crispier yet soft results.
Well, hello, there! I’m Michelle, a self-taught baker with a soft spot for cookies. I make cookies regularly in my home, and I’m the type of person that can’t stand waiting for them to cool. I love them nice and warm! That said, I’ve discovered how to reheat cookies perfectly every time.
Is it hot in here, or is it just me? No, really, let’s talk about reheatin’ those beloved cookies!
4 Best Ways to Reheat Cookies
Reheating cookies isn’t necessarily difficult. The biggest challenge is that you want them to be delightfully warmed but not overcooked – or worse, burnt to a crisp.
Here are my top four ways to successfully reheat a cookie (perfectly).
1. Oven (Best Overall Method)
Think about a freshly baked batch of cookies. When you pull them out of the oven, they’re warm, gooey, and utterly delicious – and that’s exactly what you’re trying to achieve by reheating them.
With that in mind, it’s clear why the oven is the best place to warm up your cookies.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 F.
Step 2: Place cookies in a single layer on a cookie sheet.
Optional: Spritz the cookies with a bit of water and cover with foil.
Step 3: Bake for around six to seven minutes – keep an eye on them so they don’t overcook and become dry cookies.
Step 4: Carefully remove the cookie sheet from the oven using an oven mitt.
2. Microwave (Fastest/Best for Small Batches)
If you want your cookie and you want it now, there’s no better place to reheat it than in the microwave.
Now, with this method, you’ll only be able to reheat a couple of cookies (unless you don’t mind standing in front of the microwave for an extended period, and I’m going to guess that you do mind).
That said, this is the recommended method if you only need to reheat a few cookies and you want to reheat them ASAP.
Here’s how:
Optional: Wrap the cookie in a damp paper towel.
Step 1: Place one or a few cookies on a microwave-safe plate.
Step 2: If reheating more than one cookie, ensure they are not stacked on top of each other.
Step 3: Heat for about ten seconds.
Step 4: Continue in five-second intervals until you’re satisfied with the warmth (it shouldn’t take longer than 15 or 20 seconds total).
Note: Cookies reheated in the microwave are unbelievably soft. So, if you’re looking for cookies with zero crispiness but tons of softness, opt for this technique.
3. Air Fryer (Best for Added Crispiness)
To be honest, I’m a little obsessed with my air fryer. (I mean, come on, I baked a cake in my air fryer, for crying out loud!)
Of course, I’m a big fan of using my air fryer to reheat scrumptious cookies, too.
The perk of using the air fryer to warm up cookies is that it will add a desirable amount of crispiness while ensuring the texture is beautifully soft and succulent. It’s the perfect pairing!
Oh, and it’s so simple, too. Check out the instructions:
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 300F.
Step 2: Place cookies in a single layer into the air fryer basket.
Step 3: Cook for about two minutes.
Step 4: Remove from the basket using a spatula, and enjoy!
4. Toaster (Fast, Efficient, and Crispy)
I understand that not everyone has an air fryer. (Although I highly recommend investing in one like the NINA AJ101 – it’s worth every penny.)
If you’re looking for a bit of crispness with your soft and supple cookie, your next best option is to use the toaster.
Yes, it’s true. No, I’m not crazy. Here’s how:
Step 1: Wrap your cookie in some parchment paper. Don’t stick bare cookies in your toaster unless you want a big, smelly mess on your hands.
Step 2: Place in the toaster on low heat.
Step 3: Warm up for about a minute.
Step 4: Check for doneness. Continue warming in 30-second intervals until the cookie reaches desired consistency.
FAQs
Whether you’re a fan of handy kitchen gadgets like I am or want to rely on the traditional oven, you can reheat cookies so they’re delightfully soft and delicious. Before you go to reheat your cookies, I recommend peaking these frequently asked questions. Here we go!
If your cookies have hardened up, don’t panic – there are a few ways to make them soft again. The quickest way is to heat them in the oven, microwave, etc. You can also wrap your cookies in foil or cling wrap before storing them. Finally, add a piece of white bread to the container, and they’ll soften up.
One easy way to refresh a stale cookie in the microwave is to wrap it in a damp paper towel and nuke it for about ten seconds. Some people prefer to place the cookie on a microwave-safe plate and nuke it with a cup of water for ten seconds. The steam will help to add moisture to the stale cookie.
There are so many ways to make cookies chewy. Use dark brown sugar rather than granulated sugar, add some molasses, add egg yolks, mix cake flour and AP flour, cook the cookies at a lower temperature and for a shorter amount of time, chill the dough, and don’t use warm baking sheets.
So Many Great Ways to Reheat Cookies!
If you’re dreaming about ooey-gooey cookies to please your palette, placing them in the oven for about six or seven minutes is best. However, you can also use the microwave, air fryer, or toaster and have incredible results.
What is your favorite way to reheat cookies? Share your ideas in the comment section below!
About Michelle