Pop tarts have been one of America’s favorite pastries since the 1960s. How to best enjoy the tarts has been a contentious issue ever since. What is the proper way to eat them, cold or warm?
Since pop tarts are pre-cooked, you can eat them cold straight out of the wrapper without experiencing any digestive issues. Besides, they usually taste the same, frozen, cold, or warm.
This guide will share how safely and effectively you can eat pop tarts. Later on, we will address some of your most common concerns in our FAQ segment.
Can You Eat Pop Tarts Cold
A pop tart is a ready-to-eat pastry rich in starch with a sweet, flavored filling. The frosting is the sweetest part of a pop tart and usually gets hot or melts under heat.
Eating your pop tart cold prevents burns and saves time and energy spent to warm them.
You can eat cold pop tarts virtually at any time of the day, whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a quick snack. Besides being delicious on its own, you can crumble it over desserts, blend it into a smoothie or make an ice cream sandwich.
Are You Supposed to Heat Up Pop Tarts
While you can eat cold pop tarts, there is nothing wrong with heating them. Luckily, pop tarts are pre-cooked and warm up pretty easily and quickly. You only have to warm them to your desired temperature.
Since there are different sizes, flavors, and manufacturers of pop tarts, a few factors will affect how long you are supposed to heat pop tarts. They include;
- Frozen or Unfrozen
Unfrozen pop tarts are at room temperature; consequently, you will need less heating time. On the other hand, frozen pastries may take a few more than 10 seconds or 2 minutes to get done, depending on the heating method.
- The Density of the Filling
If the pop tart filling is denser or thicker, you will have to warm it a little longer. While warming up the pop tart, you need to be careful that the filling doesn’t melt. It would be best if you also allowed the filling to cool a little before giving it out to children or eating them.
- Warming Method
You can conveniently warm your pop tarts in two main ways: a toaster or a microwave. The procedure is not the same because of the devices’ different wattages and heat intensity. Below are easy and quick steps on how to warm up tarts:
Toaster
- Remove the tart and place it vertically on the toaster
- Tune the toaster to its lowest heat setting
- Toast it for 1-2 minutes
- Wait for it to cool and remove it from the toaster
Microwave
- Rip the tarts from the foil wrapper
- Place the pop tart on a paper plate or microwave-safe plate
- Heat the pop tart for 3-10 seconds, depending on the brand and the microwave wattage
- Take it out and allow it to cool
Whether or not you are supposed to heat pop tarts, always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on the side of the packaging.
Are Pop Tarts Better Toasted or Microwaved
Toasting is the easiest and most convenient way to warm your pop tarts. Under the low heat, the tart filling warms evenly while the crust comes out crispier.
Besides, it is safer, and most manufacturers recommend it. Remember, never use metallic objects such as a fork or knife to get the tarts out of a toaster.
While microwaving is faster (3 seconds), the likelihood of overcooking the tart is higher. The filling gets very hot after a few seconds and begins to melt.
It becomes soggy while the crust loses its crunchy texture. As much as it will still retain the flavor, it’s not as appealing, and the hot melted filling may result in burns.
Besides, remember to use paper or a microwave-safe plate and never put tarts in the microwave with their wrappings. Usually, the wrappers have a foil layer to improve the shelf life of the pastries and prevent oxidation.
When placed in a microwave, the radiation causes the aluminum foil wrapper to glow, and eventually, it ignites. It will blast into flames, damaging your microwave or leading to fires.
Would you like to see a Youtube video demonstrator of toasting/microwaving pop tarts? Watch below:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat frozen pop tarts?
Yes, you can eat frozen pop tarts, provided you can bite into them and handle the chilliness. More so, your chocolate or fruit-flavored pop tart will taste exactly the same. While frozen pop tarts typically last longer, consuming them within the specified timeframe would be best.
Additionally, preservative chemicals in the foil may begin to break down, leaching into the pop tart. Eating the contaminated pastry can cause stomach aspects and other food poisoning symptoms.
Can You Microwave Multiple Pop Tarts?
Yes, you can microwave several pop tarts as long as they don’t overlap. We recommend warming a maximum of four pop tarts at a time.
Place the tarts on a matte paper/microwave-safe plate in a single layer with spaces in between. It will allow for even heat distribution.
How long should I wait for the Pop-tarts to cool?
30-60 seconds. When you toast or microwave pop tarts, the fillings melt and can get extremely hot. Allow them to cool, or you might end up burning your fingers or mouth.
Final Words
There you have it; you CAN eat your pop tarts cold. Whether you enjoy the pop tarts cold or hot primarily comes down to a personal preference.
Ultimately, we advise that you consume pop tarts in moderation. While they contain a healthy amount of starch, a bit of protein, and fiber, pop tarts have very high sugar, sodium, and fat content.
These crunchy pastries can be detrimental to your health when consumed in high quantities. It can cause weight gain, a fatty liver, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular issues due to the concentration of artificial preservatives.
Despite the insatiable cravings, it would be best to consume pop tarts occasionally and in small quantities at a time.
