If you’re like most people, you probably don’t have the time to wait for a sandwich to thaw properly. So what do you do when you’ve got a pack of Smuckers uncrustables in the freezer?
The answer, surprisingly, might be to microwave them.
Obviously, microwaving isn’t the ideal way to thaw a sandwich – in fact, the company that makes uncrustables explicitly warns against doing so. But if you’re in a hurry, it’s often the quickest option.
In this article, we’re going to show you how to microwave an uncrustable sandwich quickly. I’ll also go over some alternatives and tell you why you might want to avoid microwaving your sandwich altogether.
Can you microwave Uncrustables?
Smuckers, the brand that makes Uncrustables, actually doesn’t recommend microwaving them. Mainly because the filling inside them can get very hot compared to the outside and be a potential burn hazard when you bite into them.
However, many people seem to have done so (with varying degrees of success might I add). The internet, nevertheless, remains divided as to whether it’s a good idea to microwave uncrustables or not.
How to microwave uncrustables fast?
Even though the manufacturer itself doesn’t recommend microwaving uncrustables, however, if you consider yourself daring enough to give it a try, be warned. It’s going to be a hit-and-miss situation.
Here’s how you can defrost uncrustables fast:
- Remove the uncrustables from the plastic packaging.
- Wrap a slightly damp paper towel around the uncrustables, so the microwave heat doesn’t dry out the bread.
- Place the uncrustables on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on MEDIUM heat for a maximum of 60 seconds.
- Turn over and heat for 10-15 seconds on the other side to heat evenly while still in the paper towel.
- Let them rest for 1-2 minutes before biting in. This step is extremely important when cooking uncrustables because the filling inside can get hotter than the bread outside and cause burns.
Why can’t you microwave Uncrustables?
I’ll give you two reasons why I don’t think microwaving uncrustables quickly is a good idea.
- The fillings, especially the ones with jams and jellies, heat faster than the outer bread crust, which means they will get runny and hot like molten lava when they are heated. Bite into one at this stage, and you risk burning your tongue and mouth.
- When you microwave uncrustables, the bread can get hard and tough when heated for too long.
- Or another scenario that can happen is that the runny high fructose corn syrup filling could be soaked up by the bread, making it soggy and not pleasant to eat at all.
4 Better alternatives to thaw Uncrustables:
So if using a microwave isn’t a foolproof method to thaw uncrustables quickly, what other options are out there?
The manufacturer’s recommendation is to keep uncrustables outside at room temperature and they will thaw within 30-60 minutes. But what if you don’t want to wait that long and want to eat one right now? What other options can you explore?
- Keep them in a warm place: You can always place them in a window where there is plenty of direct sunlight. Or, if it’s winter, I find it particularly helpful to place them next to the heating vents, on top of a running dryer, or even blast them for a few seconds with my hair dryer.
- Use your body heat: You could also press the uncrustables packet gently between your warm hands or even rub them to create a bit of heat from friction. If you don’t prefer your hands to get cold you can even keep them on top of a heating pad or a hot water bottle.
- Use warm water: Thawing them by placing them in a bowl of warm water is also an option. But make sure you double bag them by placing the unopened packet in a Ziploc bag before keeping it in the bowl of water. Otherwise, you will end up with a soggy inedible sandwich.
- Use Heating Pads: One uncommon way you can defrost uncrustables fast is by using a heating pad.
How long can Uncrustables sit out before going bad?
According to the FDA, any food that remains outside for more than 2 hours develops a risk of being contaminated.
Since most uncrustables come filled with either deli meat or jams and nut butter, they have a high chance of going bad very quickly. Therefore it is advisable to consume them as soon as possible after they are done defrosting.
If you are one of those people that like to plan ahead by keeping a stash of Uncrustables thawed and ready to eat then I would recommend you defrost them in the refrigerator overnight rather than leaving them on the counter.
Also important to remember is that any thawed uncrustables shouldn’t be refrozen but consumed immediately.
How Long Can Uncrustables Last In The Fridge?
Thawed Uncrustables can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
But don’t just place the uncrustables directly on a plate in the refrigerator because that may dry out the bread. A better option would be to keep them in an air-tight box inside the refrigerator. Doing so will make heating uncrustables sandwiches much easier and taste fresher when you are ready for them.
Best Ways to Prepare Uncrustables Fast
If you’ve been struggling to make smuckers uncrustables ready to consume fast or just want to improve the taste try one of the methods below:
Fry them
Try this churro meets donut inspired recipe where you can get the goodness of a filled donut with the cinnamony goodness of a churro.
Simply fry them (I love the PB & J or the hazelnut-chocolate ones for this) in canola oil at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (an air fryer will work just as well) until lightly golden. Then toss in cinnamon sugar and voila, a yummy treat that’s ready in no time.
French Toast them
Instead of dipping your usual plain bread in the french toast mixture, add your uncrustables to the egg-milk mixture. Fry them in some butter. Top with some cream and you’ve got a perfectly indulgent Sunday breakfast ready.
Pop them in a Toaster
You can also consider cooking uncrustables in a toaster. This adds a unique spin on the taste of the smuckers uncrustable sandwiches that you won’t get from any other method.
Breakfast Uncrustables Waffle
Dip your Smuckers Uncrustables sandwiches in waffle batter and fry them in oil. Top with honey, maple syrup, or even caramel sauce. And you have another crunchy breakfast option ready that is sure to be a hit with kids.
FAQ
Are Uncrustables suitable for school lunches?
Yes, Uncrustables sandwiches are perfectly suited to be given as school lunches.
In fact, they make lunches all the more convenient. Simply add a frozen uncrustable sandwich straight from the freezer to the lunch box. Within 30-60 minutes it will defrost and be ready to eat by lunchtime in school.
Can you thaw Uncrustables in the fridge?
If you’re looking for a slower, more gentle thawing method, the fridge is your best bet. It may take a little longer than the microwave, but you don’t have to worry about accidentally cooking your Uncrustables in the process. And since Uncrustables are made with real fruit and dairy, it’s actually safer to thaw them in the fridge than most other methods. So next time you’re planning ahead, stick your Uncrustables in the fridge and let them thaw overnight. They’ll be ready to enjoy come breakfast time.
Can you refreeze uncrustables?
No, it’s not recommended to refreeze any thawed-out uncrustables because of two reasons:
- Ice crystals can develop on the bread, which may turn it soggy when you defrost it the next time.
- There can be a potential chance of bacteria multiplying during the thawing-refreezing time, which may spoil the fillings inside.
How does using a paper towel help when microwaving uncrustables sandwiches?
Wrapping a slightly damp paper towel around the uncrustables before microwaving them can help prevent them from drying out and becoming tough while the filling inside produces heat. The paper towel also helps to heat the sandwich more evenly.
How should uncrustables be packaged when using warm water to defrost them?
When using warm water to defrost uncrustables, it’s important to double bag them by placing the unopened packet in a plastic Ziploc bag before submerging it in a bowl of warm water. This will prevent the sandwich from becoming soggy.
How do heating pads work as an alternative to thaw uncrustables?
Heating pads provide an alternative method to thaw uncrustables quickly. By placing the uncrustables packet on a heating pad and turning it on, the heat from the pad will transfer to the sandwich and speed up the thawing process. This method can be faster than waiting for the sandwich to thaw at room temperature.
Wrapping up
Smuckers Uncrustables are a great snack (or even a breakfast option) when you are short on time and have to deal with picky eaters.
However, microwaving them is not the best way to eat them because it usually ruins them. Look for alternative ways to quickly bring them to room temperature.