Air-Fried Toll House Cookies: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

There are many ways to make toll house cookies in an air fryer, with some methods using refrigerated or frozen cookie dough, and others using homemade dough. The air fryer temperature and baking time can vary depending on the type of dough used, with refrigerated dough being cooked at 325°F for 10-13 minutes, and frozen dough at 400°F for 5-7 minutes. It's important to note that all air fryers heat differently, so it's recommended to keep a close eye on the cookies during the baking process. Parchment paper can be used to line the air fryer, but it's crucial to ensure the paper has holes for even air circulation and that it's weighed down to prevent it from flying around and catching fire.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making toll house cookies. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help you with this step:

Firstly, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C) on the air fry setting, not the bake setting. This is an important distinction to ensure your cookies turn out just right. While your air fryer is warming up, you can prepare your cookie dough by flattening and shaping it to your desired thickness. If you want to add any toppings like sprinkles, chopped nuts, or candy canes, this is the perfect time to do so. A pro tip is to add a glass or metal container to the air fryer before preheating if you want crispier, more melt-in-your-mouth cookies.

The preheating time will vary depending on your air fryer model, but it usually takes around 2-3 minutes. It's important to refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions and guidelines. Keep in mind that different air fryers heat up differently, even if they are the same brand and model. Therefore, it's a good idea to keep a close eye on your air fryer during the preheating process to ensure it doesn't get too hot.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can carefully place your cookie dough into the basket. It's recommended to use parchment paper or aluminium foil at the bottom of the basket to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. However, some people have found that the best method is to bake the cookies directly on the bottom of the frying basket at a lower temperature. This is because the cookies may be too light to keep the parchment paper from lifting, and it could flap around or even catch fire if not weighed down properly. If you do use parchment paper, ensure it has holes in it to allow for even air circulation.

In summary, preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in making toll house cookies. By following the instructions provided, you can ensure your air fryer is properly heated and prepared for baking your delicious cookies.

Prepare the cookie dough

To prepare the cookie dough for air frying, you'll first want to decide whether to use homemade or store-bought dough. If you're using store-bought, you can choose between refrigerated or frozen dough. If you're using frozen dough, you'll need to add an extra minute to your bake time.

If you're making your own dough, you'll need to refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before air frying. It's also recommended to roll the dough into balls or flatten it into circles before placing it in the air fryer. This will ensure that the cookies bake evenly.

When preparing the air fryer, it's recommended to line the basket with parchment paper, which should be weighed down with the cookie dough to prevent it from flying around and catching fire. You can also use aluminium foil or a small cake pan. If using parchment paper, it's a good idea to spray it with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the cookies from sticking.

Once your dough and air fryer are prepared, place the cookie dough in the basket, leaving a space of about 2 inches around each piece of dough. This will allow the cookies to spread out as they bake. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to bake the cookies in batches.

Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper

Lining your air fryer basket with parchment paper is a crucial step in ensuring your cookies don't stick and making cleanup a breeze. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

First, cut the parchment paper to fit your air fryer basket perfectly. It's important to ensure the parchment paper is the right size so that it doesn't obstruct the airflow or come into contact with the heating element. You can use scissors to trim the parchment paper to the appropriate size.

Once you have the parchment paper cut to size, place it carefully into the air fryer basket. Make sure it lies flat and doesn't curl up at the edges. You can use a small amount of cooking spray or butter to help the parchment paper stick to the basket and stay in place.

Now, you can start placing your cookie dough on top of the parchment paper. It's important to leave some space around each piece of cookie dough to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to fit four to six cookies in a batch.

When arranging the cookie dough on the parchment paper, keep in mind that they will spread out a bit during baking, so leave some room for them to expand. Try to place them about 2 inches apart from each other.

After you've placed the cookie dough in the air fryer basket, you can proceed with the rest of the recipe instructions, such as setting the temperature and timing. Remember to follow the recipe guidelines for the best results.

Using parchment paper in your air fryer is a great way to ensure your cookies don't stick and make cleanup easier. Just make sure the parchment paper is cut to size and lies flat in the basket to avoid any issues.

Air-frying the cookies

First, preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C) or 320°F. While it's warming up, flatten and shape your cookie dough into balls or flat circles. If you want to add toppings like sprinkles, chopped nuts, or mini marshmallows, now is the time to do it!

Next, prepare your air fryer basket by lining it with parchment paper or aluminium foil. Place the cookie dough balls or circles onto the parchment paper or foil, leaving about 2 inches of space around each one. If you're not using parchment paper or foil, you can put the cookie dough directly into the basket, making sure they're about 2 inches apart.

Now, it's time to bake those cookies! Place the basket into the air fryer and cook for 7-8 minutes for soft, gooey cookies, or 10-13 minutes for crispier, browned cookies. Check on them regularly to make sure they don't overcook. Remember that different air fryers heat differently, so you might need to adjust the timing accordingly.

Once they're done, let the cookies sit in the air fryer for 2-5 minutes to cool slightly and finish baking. Then, carefully remove them and place them on a wire rack to cool completely.

And that's it! You now have delicious, freshly baked toll house cookies straight from your air fryer. Enjoy them warm with a scoop of ice cream, or decorate them with frosting and sprinkles for a festive treat.

Let the cookies cool

Once your cookies are done in the air fryer, let them sit in the basket for a few minutes with the basket closed. This is an important step as the cookies will continue to cook and firm up as they cool. Depending on the recipe, you should leave them for 2 to 5 minutes.

Then, open the basket and let the cookies sit for a few more minutes before trying to remove them. This will prevent them from becoming a gooey mess when you lift them out. Again, depending on the recipe, this could be anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes.

After that, carefully remove the cookies from the air fryer and place them on a wire rack to fully cool. This will ensure that they cool evenly and prevent them from becoming soggy.

Once the cookies are completely cool, you can store them in an airtight container. They will last 3 to 5 days at room temperature or up to 6 months in the freezer.

Frequently asked questions