Pizza rolls like the ones from Totinos are the darling of many American homes today. They are utterly delicious and provide a variety of flavors. The problem is that most people who try to cook it for themselves don’t always get it right.
I dare to say this: if I could become such a badass at it, YOU CAN TOO. Gone are the days when a few places monopolize knowing how to make pizza rolls.
What’s more? With the wonder box sitting gallantly in your kitchen – the microwave – there’s never been a more magical way to disappear hunger and reappear perfectly cooked mouthwatering and crispy delicious pizza rolls.
Little wonder, I keep getting a lot of questions about how to cook pizza rolls in the microwave. If you are also puzzled by this, I gat you.
Today, I will show you how to, in fast, simple, and easy steps.
So, on your marks. Get set. Ready?
Let’s go!
CAN YOU COOK PIZZA ROLLS IN THE MICROWAVE?
Yes, you can cook pizza rolls in the microwave. The manufacturers of several pizza rolls products including Totino’s have clearly and publicly said that you can cook them in the microwave. In fact, most come with microwave instructions.
Many people would scoff at the idea of cooking their pizza rolls in the microwave. The most basic reason is its tendency to explode or get burnt in the microwave. The most aching reason is how the process tends to make the pizza rolls soggy and therefore, a pain in the a** to eat. Forgive my asterisks.
A very troubling perspective is that microwaving your food will make you susceptible to cancer. All of these and more make people wary of cooking their pizza rolls in the microwave.
If you are skeptical about microwaving your pizza rolls, I can understand your fear. But hear me out.
The microwave is not some ridiculously scary dragon that releases fire out of its mouth to consume your food. It is also not a slimy little monster from the pit of hell distributing disease to all and sundry.
So, can cooking your pizza rolls in the microwave give you cancer?
Sure. But only if you choose to use a non-microwavable dish for microwaving your food or if you break open the microwave and by some miracle, it keeps on working while you are standing beside it.
If you’re worried about the electromagnetic radiation of the microwave, stop. It has the same effect on you that your remote light has on you. Do remote controls have zero effect? Exactly my point.
Another problem probably bugging you is…
Can Microwaving your pizza rolls make them soggy?
The answer is yes. Microwaves work by interacting with water molecules inside your food. This develops more steam. If the steam cannot escape, it runs into your food. That’s when it becomes soggy. But this doesn’t always have to be the result you get.
The truth of the matter is that most people who end up with the short side of the stick are those who do not follow the right instructions (which are spread out in this article by the way).
If you keep reading, you will find a few tips and tricks you could use to prevent the occurrence of these irritable outcomes and enjoy delicious pizza rolls made in the microwave.
HOW TO COOK PIZZA ROLLS IN THE MICROWAVE
Take out the pizza rolls from the packaging and place them on a microwave-safe plate. Toggle your microwave setting to high and microwave for 1 minute (if there are 6 pizza rolls) or 2 minutes (if there are 12 pizza rolls.
When you take your pizza rolls out of the microwave, make sure you let it sit for a couple of minutes, so that your first bite is not a scorching bite. Be careful. The pizza roll filling tends to be extremely hot after heating, so let it cool before you start to eat.
How to cook pizza rolls in the Microwave without them Exploding
The reason why pizza rolls explode in the microwave is this. Microwaves always search out water in your food. That’s how it creates steam to heat the food. With pizza rolls, the microwave tends to find water in the filling. When it does, it interacts with it until it begins boiling.
Then, the water begins to form what is called water and air vapor. They look like bubbles. By now, there’s so much steam that is trying to abscond. If there is no freedom for it, it bursts everything open – including your precious little pizza rolls. That is when the explosion occurs.
To prevent this from happening, take a fork and pierce the pizza rolls to make openings through which the steam can escape.
Also, do not try to microwave frozen totinos pizza rolls just as they are. Defrost them first.
How to microwave pizza rolls without making them soggy
I found this interesting quote on the internet:
“Who the heck bakes pizza rolls in the oven? People who don’t use microwaves, and don’t want things to be soggy heaps of shit.”
I agree that no one wants to eat soggy food. In the same way, I disagree that ovens are the only way to non-soggy food.
Where there is a will, there is always a way. In this case, there are several ways. Here’s a whole map.
- Wrap your pizza rolls in a dry paper towel
What this does is absorb the vapor, so it does not soak into the rolls and make them soggy. Be sure to flip the rolls when it is halfway done.
- Put a cup of water in the microwave, along with your pizza rolls.
Remember what we discussed about steam trying to get out at all cost like armed robbers trapped in a crime scene? Yes. Don’t let that confuse you. In this case, you’re not going to microwave for more than 45 seconds so that the water does not begin releasing steam. The water knows its job is to attract a lot of that microwaves, which kind of balances the water action.
- Defrost your pizza rolls first
Microwave your frozen pizza rolls on defrost for about 2 to 3 minutes. Put them in a preheated pan to caramelize the crust and stiffen the pizza rolls for a bit. Place them back in the microwave for another few minutes
- Microwave your pizza rolls in a crisper pan or tray
Crisper pans and trays are specially designed to keep the outer part of your food crispy when you microwave it.
Is it better to cook pizza rolls in the oven or microwave?
What’s the best way? Let’s put the argument to rest.
Some people say that cooking pizza rolls in the oven is best, but not everyone believes the same. The microwave and oven could pass for sisters. Maybe that is why they have been subject to comparisons, for a long time now.
Even twins carry different DNAs. In the same way, microwaves and ovens perform differently. So, really the ball is in your court to decide.
If you do not like to waste time in the kitchen, then cooking your totinos pizza rolls in the microwave will be perfect for you. We both know that microwaves are faster than Usain Bolt. On top of that, they are cheaper to buy.
If you are very particular about the taste, then you should choose the oven over the microwave.
HOW LONG TO MICROWAVE PIZZA ROLLS?
It takes roughly 1 to 2 minutes to microwave your pizza rolls. This time estimate is based on using a 1000-watt microwave. If you are using a lower wattage microwave, it will take more time to cook. Microwaves differ in power and settings. The number of pizza rolls you are microwaving also affects the timing.
If you do not know your microwave wattage or understand its settings, you should consider microwaving the pizza rolls in 10-second intervals. Pay attention and keep checking to know if they are doing fine. Most pizza rolls products come with an instruction to not leave the microwave unattended to while it is being cooked.
TIPS TO REMEMBER WHEN COOKING PIZZA ROLLS IN THE MICROWAVE
I have put together a few tips to help you cook your pizza rolls in the microwave properly. Here they are:
- Use a microwavable dish. Always! This is non-negotiable.
- Place your pizza rolls close to each other so that they can cook evenly.
- Rotate your pizza rolls halfway through.
- Cover the pizza rolls in dry paper wraps to keep them from getting soggy.
- Defrost frozen pizza rolls before you begin heating them in the microwave.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It is such a beautiful thing that you can make your pizza rolls at home now. I know it can be a tricky process; that’s why I have written you this guide.
From now on, soggy or burnt pizza rolls, explosions in the microwave, and all the other problems should be in your past now. Just follow the instructions, and in a little over two minutes, your crispy delicious totinos pizza rolls will be ready. Enjoy!