Air-Fryer Nestle Toll House Cookies: Quick, Crispy, Delicious!

Nestle Toll House Cookies are a classic, and baking them in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to enjoy them. Whether you prefer homemade or pre-made refrigerated dough, the air fryer method offers a faster alternative to oven baking, with a batch of freshly baked cookies ready in under 15 minutes. Here's a step-by-step guide to making these delicious treats in an air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making Nestle Toll House Cookies. While some recipes don't require preheating, others suggest preheating your air fryer to 300°F (150°C) on the air fry setting. This step allows you to shape your cookie dough into balls and prepare them for baking. It is recommended to add a glass or metal container to the air fryer before preheating if you want crispier, more melt-in-your-mouth cookies.

When preheating your air fryer, it is important to remember that not all air fryers heat up in the same way. Even the same manufacturer's air fryer models can produce different amounts of heat. Therefore, it is crucial to keep a close eye on your cookies during the preheating and baking process to prevent overcooking or burning.

If you are using parchment paper, it is essential to ensure that it is weighted down properly. Lighter-weight foods can sometimes cause the parchment paper to fly up into the heating element, posing a fire hazard. To avoid this, you can use parchment paper with holes, which helps with proper air circulation. Alternatively, you can use aluminium foil or place it under the parchment paper to add weight and prevent it from flying up.

Preheating your air fryer is not mandatory for all recipes, but it can help you achieve the desired texture and doneness for your cookies. By preheating, you can ensure that your air fryer reaches the optimal temperature for baking your Nestle Toll House Cookies.

Use parchment paper

Using parchment paper is a great way to bake cookies in the air fryer. However, there are some safety precautions to be aware of. Firstly, it is important to use parchment paper with holes to ensure proper air circulation. If you don't have parchment paper with holes, you can use a hole punch to make holes in regular parchment paper. This will ensure even cooking of the cookies.

When using parchment paper in the air fryer, it is crucial to monitor the cooking process closely. Lighter-weight foods can sometimes cause the parchment paper to fly up into the burner, creating a fire hazard. To prevent this, ensure that the cookies are placed evenly on the parchment paper, holding it in place. It is also recommended to stay close to the air fryer when cooking.

Another tip for using parchment paper in the air fryer is to use enough cookie dough to fully cover the parchment paper. This will prevent the paper from blowing up near the heating element. If you are concerned about the parchment paper catching fire, you can use aluminium foil instead or place foil underneath and around the edges of the parchment paper to add weight.

When placing the cookies on the parchment paper, it is recommended to follow a circle pattern around the basket. This helps to hold the parchment paper down and ensures even cooking. Avoid placing cookies in the centre of the basket, as they may not bake evenly.

In summary, when using parchment paper to make Nestle Toll House cookies in an air fryer, be sure to use parchment paper with holes, monitor the cooking process closely, use enough cookie dough to weigh down the parchment paper, and follow a circle pattern when placing the cookies. By following these tips, you can ensure that your cookies turn out perfectly and safely!

Prepare the dough

To prepare the dough for Nestle Toll House Cookies in an air fryer, start by lining your air fryer basket with parchment paper. If you don't have parchment paper with holes, you can use a hole punch to make some. This will ensure proper air circulation so that your cookies bake evenly.

Next, take out the desired amount of cookie dough from the refrigerator. Form the dough into balls and place them in the basket, leaving space between each one. You can add sprinkles, nuts, or candy canes at this point if you want to jazz up your cookies. Just remember to press any toppings into the dough so they stick.

If you're using a toaster-oven style air fryer, you'll need to preheat it to 325°F before adding the dough. For other types of air fryers, simply set the temperature to 325°F (or 300°F) and place the dough in the basket—no need to preheat!

Air fry the cookies

Air-frying cookies is a quick and convenient way to make a small batch of cookies. Here is a detailed guide on how to air fry Nestle Toll House cookies:

Preparation

Before you start air-frying, it is important to prepare your air fryer and the cookie dough. Firstly, line the basket of your air fryer with parchment paper, preferably the kind with holes to ensure even air circulation. If you don't have parchment paper with holes, you can create your own by punching holes in regular parchment paper. Ensure that the parchment paper fits snugly in the basket to prevent it from flying up and touching the heating element.

Next, prepare your Nestle Toll House cookie dough. You can use refrigerated or frozen cookie dough. If using frozen dough, allow it to thaw slightly so it is easier to work with. Form the dough into balls and flatten them slightly to your desired thickness for the cookies. This is also the time to add any desired toppings or mix-ins, such as sprinkles, nuts, or chocolate chips.

Air-Frying Process

Once your cookie dough is prepared, it's time to start air-frying. Place the cookie dough balls into the basket of the air fryer, leaving about 2 inches of space between each ball. The number of cookies you can fit in your air fryer will depend on the size of your machine, so adjust the batch size accordingly.

Close the air fryer and set the temperature to 300°F to 325°F (some sources recommend 350°F for a shorter period). The cooking time will vary depending on your desired level of doneness, but it typically takes between 7 to 13 minutes. For softer, meltier cookies, air fry for a shorter time, and for crispier, more browned cookies, increase the cooking time. Keep in mind that different air fryers may vary in terms of heat distribution, so it's important to monitor the cookies closely during the first batch to get a sense of the ideal cooking time.

Post-Air Frying

Once the cookies are done to your liking, let them rest in the air fryer for about 3 to 5 minutes. This allows them to cool slightly and finish the baking process. After this, carefully remove the cookies from the air fryer and place them on a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips and Tricks

• If you are using a toaster-oven style air fryer with a tray, preheating the air fryer to the desired temperature before adding the cookie dough is recommended.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Air fry the cookies in batches if needed to ensure even cooking.
• For frozen cookie dough, add an extra minute or two to the cooking time.
• If you prefer crispier cookies, place a glass or metal container in the air fryer before preheating, and then add the cookie dough.
• To test if the cookies are done, look at the colour—the outside should be golden to medium brown.
• Always monitor the air fryer closely when using parchment paper to prevent any fire hazards.

Reheat and store

You can reheat your Nestle Toll House cookies in the air fryer from frozen, room temperature, or the fridge. Place the cookies in the air fryer and set to 300°F (150°C) without preheating. Reheat frozen cookies for 3 minutes if there is only one, and 4 minutes if there are two or more. Reheat cookies from the fridge for 2-3 minutes if there is only one, and 3 minutes if there are two or more. Finally, reheat cookies from room temperature for 1-2 minutes if there is only one, and 2 minutes if there are two or more.

You can store unused cookie dough in an airtight bag or container in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a year. Keep baked cookies in an airtight bag or container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to six months. For chewier cookies, store them in an airtight container. For crispier cookies, leave the lid a little loose.

Frequently asked questions