We’re probably gonna skip the skillet and stick with an old-fashioned oven for this one, but you do you.
By Darcy Lenz Updated August 05, 2020
Ever see something on the Internet and think to yourself, “Whaaaaaat, there’s no way that actually works.”
Yeah, same. All the time. Especially when it comes to food stuffs and clever cooking tricks. And working at MyRecipes, after coming across one of these noteworthy but unbelievable hacks, we often ask one of our staffers to go try it in their own kitchen to see if there’s something legitimately useful there.
Because the culinary innovation of TikTok users knows no bounds, there’s always new and exciting techniques to explore. For example, this week, we tried pan-frying chocolate chip cookies (not to be confused with air-frying cookies). That’s right, pan-fried. Rather than baking in the oven, this cooking method—originally posted on TikTok by @iankewks and later shared by @foodies—involves dropping mounds of raw cookie dough into a skillet and searing the cookie on both sides. The desired result is a cookie with a perfectly crispy, caramelized exterior and gooey-chewy interior, delivered in about 20 minutes.
TikTok Pan Fried Cookies
@iankewks/TikTok
See the original TikTok from @iankewks here.
Our own Annie Campbell, assistant editor/kitchen adventurer/official tryer of random things we find on TikTok, gave this trick a whirl and came out less than impressed, for a few reasons:
A. There’s too much guesswork, and a high margin of error. It took Annie too many batches of completely butchered cookies (7 batches, to be exact) and trying to get the heat and timing just right before she was able to produce an edible cookie.
B. Flipping par-cooked cookies is significantly more challenging than you might think. In a hot oven, sugar- and butter-laden cookie dough simultaneously spreads and crisps into a sturdy disc. The top and bottom of that disc cook in tandem. However, this is not the case with a moderately warm skillet. Dense cookie dough doesn’t puff up the way pancake batter does, and it’s not as easy to slide a spatula under halfway through the griddling process. Even using two spatulas, Annie struggled.
C. This method only yields 2-3 cookies per batch. “I guess if you’re the kind of person that only needs 1-2 cookies to be satisfied, this could work for you… but I am not that person,” Annie says.
All of that said, Annie notes that while the pan-frying method didn’t work out great for her, it has clearly worked for some people, and it could be a viable option for temporarily ovenless bakers or people who just want to avoid heating up the oven when a cookie craving strikes.
If you fall into one of those categories and are interested in giving this TikTok-inspired trick a try, here’s how it’s done:
- Prepare your favorite cookie dough recipe. Annie opted for one of our staff-favorite chocolate chip cookie doughs, and recommends chilling whatever dough you prepare in the refrigerator (30 minutes to an hour should do it).
- Start with a cool pan (preferably one with a lid), and grease with butter or baking spray. Place 2-3 scoops of cookie dough in the pan and pat down slightly with a spoon. Cover the pan.
- Cook over medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Carefully remove the cookies from the pan and allow to cool. They will be soft when finished, but firm up as they cool off.
If you decide to give pan-frying cookies a try at home, be sure to show us how they turn out by posting and tagging @myrecipes on Instagram.
FAQs
The cookie gets warm and soft in the center and crispy around the edges, resulting in an irresistible treat that is perfect for the whole family to enjoy.
What are cookies on TikTok? ›
Our Platform uses the following kinds of technologies: Cookies: Cookies are small text files that enable us and our service providers and partners to uniquely identify your browser or device for various purposes, including those described above.
Can you cook cookie dough on a stove top? ›
Place up to 4 cookies in the pan about 1 inch apart and cover with a lid. Allow the cookies to cook in a pan over low heat for 15-17 minutes. The cookies are done when they are crisp on the bottom and just set on top. If they seem slightly underdone, don't be alarmed as they set as they cool.
How long do I put cookie dough in the oven? ›
HEAT oven to 350°F (or 325°F for nonstick cookie sheet). PLACE cookie dough rounds about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. BAKE 10 to 14 minutes or until light golden brown. COOL 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet.
Why is cookie dough not edible? ›
The bottom line. Raw cookie dough is not safe to eat because it contains uncooked eggs and flour, which can cause food poisoning if they are contaminated with harmful bacteria. Pregnant women, children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems should not eat raw cookie dough because of these risks.
What is the _ttp cookie? ›
1st-party. Advertising. _ttp. The "_ttp" cookie is used to distinguish users. It helps differentiate between different individuals accessing the website.
What is a _fbp cookie? ›
This cookie tracks a user's visits across different websites and reports that behavior to Facebook. Facebook can then use the data it collects to understand that user better and show better, more relevant advertising.
What is the cookie policy on TikTok? ›
If you choose to refuse, disable, or delete Cookies, some of the functionality of the Platform may no longer be available to you. Without this information, we are not able to provide you with all of the requested services.
How do you know when pan cookies are done? ›
For cake-like bars, test with a wooden pick inserted at the center of the pan. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it, the cookies are done. Chewy (moister) bars will have a dull, rather than shiny, surface; a slight imprint will remain after touching the surface lightly with your fingertip.
Can you bake cookies on buttered pan? ›
Most fats have a lower heat tolerance than your cookie dough requires to mature into a fully baked cookie. Additional butter or oil on your pan can cause the bottom of your cookies to burn, and sometimes the sides if the fats pool at all between the cookies.
Ultimately, the scientific reason you should never bake cookies on a foil-lined baking sheet is simple: The parts of your cookie dough that come in direct contact with the foil are exposed to more concentrated heat than the rest of your cookies, thanks to aluminum's natural conductor properties.
Can you microwave cookie dough to bake it? ›
Put a frozen cookie ball into the microwave for 30 seconds it emerges an ACTUAL cookie, micro-baked to perfectly soft and gooey with even a little crispiness around the edge. It doesn't even matter what kind of cookie dough it is! Any type of frozen cookie dough, popped into the microwave makes a real cookie.
Is it OK to open the oven while baking cookies? ›
Opening the oven door while baking can drop the temperature, causing uneven cooking and deflated baked goods like cakes and cookies. Instead, use the oven light and window to check progress and test doneness with a toothpick in the final minutes. Keeping the door closed ensures perfectly baked desserts.
Is it better to bake cookies on top or bottom rack? ›
Which oven rack position should you use when baking cookies? Cookies should be baked on the center oven rack for even heating and air circulation. As a best practice, is it recommended to rotate the cookie sheet or sheets roughly halfway, or shortly thereafter, through the baking time, if needed.
Can you put cookies directly on pan? ›
In a pinch, baking directly on an ungreased baking sheet will work fine; the cookies have enough fat in them to prevent severe sticking — although you might need a thin metal spatula to pop some of them off.
What happens if you cook edible cookie dough? ›
We do not recommend baking our Bite-Sized Edible Cookie Dough [flavor/products]. It does not contain eggs or leavening agents, which are key ingredients in developing texture and lift in baked cookies. (If needed) Exposure to high oven temperatures will cause the product to liquefy and possibly burn.
What can I do with cookie dough without an oven? ›
Microwave. Many recipe websites suggest using parchment paper on a microwave-safe plate to prevent cookies from sticking in the microwave. I wanted to see what would happen without the parchment paper, so I placed a ball of cookie dough on a microwave-safe plate and cooked it for just 45 seconds.
