How to revive stale cookies (2024)

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If you don’t enjoy the hard and dry texture of stale cookies, then your best bet is to go for the softer ones, but that doesn’t mean you have to discard the hard ones. There are ways to get them soft, and we explore some of them in this short brief.

By Cookist

How to revive stale cookies (1)

Bringing hard, dry cookies back to their delicious, chewy state may sound like a magic trick that fails, but there is no doubt about it; it is possible.

Before we examine how to soften them up, let's examine why they get so dry in the first place.

Why Cookies Get Hard

Cookies harden when the moisture in them evaporates. This can happen if you leave them out in the air for too long, baking them for too long, or storing them improperly. The lack of moisture makes the cookies hard and dry, thereby making them difficult to enjoy.

Softening Hard Cookies Without Bread

How to revive stale cookies (2)

There are a few well-known methods for softening cookies. Some include microwaving them, heating them in the oven, and placing them in an airtight container with a slice of bread. However, not all of these methods work equally well.

For example, microwaving or steaming cookies can cause them to become too soft. If you’re using a microwave or oven to soften your stale cookies, here’s what to do:

How to Soften Cookies in the Microwave:

  • Place the stale cookies on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel.
  • Microwave them in short bursts of 10-15 seconds until they become soft. Be careful not to overdo it; the cookies can become too soft or lose their texture.

How to Soften Cookies in the Oven:

  • Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Wrap the stale cookies in aluminum foil and place them on a baking sheet. Heat them in the oven for about 5-10 minutes. Check them regularly to avoid overheating or burning.

How To Soften Cookies Using Bread

How to revive stale cookies (3)

The easiest way to do this is to place the cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread and leave them for a few hours. The bread will release moisture, rehydrating the cookies, and making them soft and chewy once again. Be sure to monitor the cookies closely to avoid over-softening them.

Other Ways To Soften Cookies

How to revive stale cookies (4)

Another great way to soften cookies is by putting them in an airtight container with a damp paper towel. The paper towel will release moisture and help to soften the cookies without making them too soft or mushy.

If you don’t want to do that, you can place the cookies in a plastic bag with a slice of apple or a damp tea towel. Both methods work well to rehydrate cookies without the risk of making them too soft.

Conclusion

There are many ways to soften your cookies. Whether you prefer to use bread, tea towels, or fruit, one method is sure to work for you.

How to revive stale cookies (2024)

FAQs

How to revive stale cookies? ›

The easiest way to do this is to place the cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread and leave them for a few hours. The bread will release moisture, rehydrating the cookies, and making them soft and chewy once again. Be sure to monitor the cookies closely to avoid over-softening them.

How to revive dry cookies? ›

Another way to soften cookies is by placing the cookies in an airtight container with a damp paper towel. The paper towel will release moisture and help to soften the cookies without making them too soft or mushy. Another way is to place the cookies in a plastic bag with a slice of apple or a damp tea towel.

How do you reheat cookies to make them soft again? ›

Steam: This method is great for single cookies that may have gotten a little hard. The steam from the paper towel will help to soften and warm the cookies in seconds. All you have to do is wrap the cookies in a damp paper towel and microwave them for 10-15 seconds. Voila!

Can you bring back stale cookies? ›

The easiest way to do this is to place the cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread and leave them for a few hours. The bread will release moisture, rehydrating the cookies, and making them soft and chewy once again. Be sure to monitor the cookies closely to avoid over-softening them.

How do you make stale cookies crisp? ›

Just turn on your oven

Placing them in the oven for a spell can drive out moisture, restoring them to their former crispy selves (and, if you store the snack in an airtight container, they'll stay crispy). You'll want your oven temperature to be fairly low, somewhere in the 200℉-225℉ range.

How to crisp up cookies? ›

Keep those cookies crisp by storing them in an airtight container. Some people toss a piece of bread in with the cookies to help absorb any excess moisture. You could also re-crisp them by baking on a wire rack in a 300 degree F oven for a few minutes.

Do cookies go bad or just stale? ›

Just like any food, cookies can go bad, meaning they lose their freshness and optimal taste. The shelf life of a cookie depends on several factors: 1. Ingredients: Cookies with high moisture ingredients like cream fillings or fruit may spoil faster than dry, crispy cookies.

How to freshen stale Oreos? ›

Put a bunch of oreos in a plastic container. Put in some juicy fruit like several apple slices. Put the lid on tightly (no loose lids please). The moisture from the fruit will soften the oreos over several hours.

What can I add to cookies that are too dry? ›

Dry – “Dry” or “Crumbly” dough is a product of over-mixing or using too much of any ingredient during the mixing process. This can be reversed by adding one to two tablespoons of liquid (water, milk or softened butter) to your mix.

How do you keep cookies from going stale? ›

Your stored cookies will stay freshest in a cool, dry place, such as the back shelf of your pantry. Depending on the variety, they'll last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. You can also freeze cookies for up to six months.

What to do with dry cookies? ›

One of the more common ways to repurpose stale cookies is to grind or crush them into very fine crumbs, mix them with melted butter, and then press them into a pie pan to make a crust that can be used for pies, tarts, and cheesecakes.

How do you save soft cookies? ›

Storing Tips to Keep Cookies Soft

Store cool cookies in an airtight container (not a cookie jar with a loose lid) at room temperature. Putting cookies, cakes or breads in the refrigerator will dry them out.

Why did my cookies come out too soft? ›

Q: Why are my cookies not crisp enough? They are underbaked. Lower your oven temperature and bake longer but at a lower temperature. Using too much flour or the wrong kind of flour.

Can I rebake cookies that are too soft? ›

You can rebake cookies to make them crispy. Some cookies only need about five minutes of rebaking to get their fresh, melting, and warm taste back and become crispy again. However, others may need about ten to 15 minutes in an oven set to 300-350 °F (149-177 °C).

How do you refresh cookies food? ›

The best way to reheat cookies so they taste freshly baked is to preheat the oven to 350°F and place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake the cookies for about 5 minutes, or until they are just beginning to crisp up. This will help to retain the texture and flavor of the cookies.

How do you make store bought cookies taste fresh? ›

All you have to do is pop it in the oven for one minute at 300 degrees Fahrenheit, and your cookie should already taste better than when you bought it. Not only will it be warm and smell delicious, but any chocolate chips should be slightly melted, making for a gooier cookie.

How do you freshen up stale biscuits? ›

“We do that for some of our biscuit sandwiches to bring them to the next level,” she says. If you want something a little simpler, but still effective, Day recommends loosely wrapping your leftover biscuits in foil, and placing them in a 350°F oven for six to eight minutes.

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