Yorkshire puddings served on a Sunday roast are everyone’s favorite. The mild savory flavor, the crispy crust, and the delicate and fluffy inside make for an irresistibly delicious meal.
I especially enjoy them piping hot with a hint of maple syrup or honey drizzled over the top.
And while they’re perfect when freshly made, sometimes you just don’t have time to whip up a batch before dinner, but you still want to serve them.
So, can you reheat frozen Yorkshire puddings in a microwave?
Technically yes, but there are some things to consider. Microwaves heat unevenly, and their high-frequency waves significantly increase the risk of scorching the puddings compared to conventional cooking methods. As a result, if you don’t constantly monitor your dish, you may end up with soggy microwaved Yorkshire puddings with a tough texture.
In today’s post, I’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions for safely reheating frozen Yorkshire puddings in the microwave. I’ll also offer my expert tips and share alternative reheating options far better than microwaving. Read on to find out more!
Can You Reheat Frozen Yorkshire Puddings in a Microwave?
Microwaving is the easiest and quickest way to reheat Yorkshire puddings. It is an excellent way to salvage them without relying on a conventional oven or a stovetop. However, you must exercise caution while microwaving, or they’ll become soggy and rubbery.
So, to understand whether or not microwaves are a viable option for reheating these classic British delights, let me break it down for you:
Yorkshire puddings are small round doughy dumplings typically eaten as part of a traditional English breakfast. They are made from flour, eggs, milk, and butter and are often served with onion gravy or meat for the main dish. My kids like them best with cheese and bacon bits for a savory taste.
The beauty of these little bundles of joy is that you can buy them frozen at the grocery store and reheat them as needed. Usually, they come pre-cooked, and a few seconds in the microwave will do the trick.
However, microwaving frozen Yorkshire poses a risk: if heated for too long or too intensely, they may become tough and rubbery instead of fluffy.
The good news is, there’s one simple way to avoid this unfortunate outcome: microwave for the appropriate time limit. Remember, microwaves inherently cook unevenly. So, keep an eye on them while they cook; you want them to puff up and turn golden brown around the edges.
How Long Does It Take to Reheat Frozen Yorkshire Puddings in a Microwave?
Typically, it will take 30-45 seconds to reheat frozen Yorkshire puddings in the microwave. However, time can vary depending on the wattage of your microwave, the number of puddings you are reheating, and their size.
So, why the limited time frame, and how do the factors mentioned above come into play?
As I stated earlier, store-bought Yorkshire puddings are pre-cooked and hence do not need as much time to reheat as other foods. As a result, they’re easy to overheat if left in for too long. Worse, microwaves’ high temperatures may leave them soggy, soft, and chewy.
However, I find limiting the time they spend in the microwave (and using a higher setting) yields better results. Generally, thirty seconds is enough time to heat through a single large pudding or two smaller ones. Forty-five seconds for three average-sized puddings or four small ones.
Also, keep in mind the wattage of your microwave; some are less powerful than others and take more time to reheat meals. Lastly, I discourage reheating many puddings at once as this may cause them to steam, resulting in uneven heating.
Although not as flawless as oven ones, this is an excellent alternative when you’re short on time or don’t have access to an oven. In other words, while microwaving frozen Yorkshire puddings is a convenient way to make breakfast or brunch, it should be done with caution.
Do You Need to Defrost Yorkshire Puddings Before Reheating?
You don’t need to defrost Yorkshire puddings before reheating them. In fact, it is discouraged as it can lead to soggy or rubbery textures.
Thawing involves removing water from food by changing the physical state of its cells from frozen to liquid. However, not all foods respond well, especially if they are high in fat, such as cheese and eggs. Yorkshire puddings are one example. It’s made up primarily of flour, milk, and eggs.
Although thawing can reduce the reheating time for foods, including meat, dairy products, and baked goods, this isn’t true for Yorkshire puddings. Instead, it weakens the batter’s structure, leading to an overcooked bottom crust that is overly tough and chewy.
I find reheating frozen puddings straight from the freezer works just fine. The results are great every time, and it saves me time! However, keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overcook, particularly if you’re using a microwave.
Tips For Reheating Yorkshire Puddings in the Microwave
Like any other reheating method, microwaving Yorkshire puddings does have its risks. As a result, it is necessary to adhere to some guidelines to avoid ruining the dish.
- Make sure to properly store your homemade or store-bought Yorkshire puddings in an airtight container in the fridge. Otherwise, the portions may reheat unevenly, resulting in charred edges and undercooked interiors. Plus, it increases the risk of foodborne illness since moisture can collect on the pudding surfaces during storage.
- Avoid microwaving Yorkshire puddings in their original packaging. Most of the packages are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic that will produce high levels of dangerous toxins when heated in the microwave. I suggest using ceramic or glass dishes instead.
- Do not cover the dish while microwaving, as this can cause steam build-up, resulting in soggy crusts.
- If preferred, drizzle cream or milk over the tops of the puddings before reheating. This will keep them moist and fluffy throughout the process. Furthermore, it will add flavor to the dish without adding extra calories or fat.
- Monitor the microwave carefully as you reheat the frozen puddings to prevent overcooking. A few seconds too long in the microwave can dry out the pudding’s interior and make it rubbery.
- Never reheat your Yorkshire puddings more than once, as this increases the risk of contamination. Plus, the flavor and texture suffer with each reheating session.
How to Reheat Yorkshire Puddings in the Microwave
Here’s a step-by-step instruction for reheating Yorkshire puddings in the microwave.
- Remove your frozen Yorkshire puddings from the fridge and place them into a microwavable dish. As I mentioned, there is no need to thaw out your puddings; they are good to go straight from the fridge or freezer.
- Arrange the puddings in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch each other so they can warm up evenly. Also, this will prevent them from steaming up and getting soggy.
- If desired, I always sprinkle a little cream or milk over the top of my puddings to prevent them from drying out. However, feel free to skip this step if you’re not feeling particularly decadent.
- Finally, pop the puddings into the microwave uncovered for 30-45 seconds at full power. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overheat and dry out.
- Once heated through, remove the puddings and let them cool slightly on a wire rack for a minute.
- Serve with whatever sauce suits your fancy! My personal favorite is some crispy bacon bits on top. However, if you want something more traditional, I recommend hot strawberry jam.
Other Reheating Alternatives
Although it is the easiest and quickest way to reheat frozen Yorkshire puddings, microwaving does not always produce the best results. Fortunately, there are alternative options, including but not limited to:
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Heating in an Oven
It is the best and one of my favorite ways of reheating Yorkshire pudding. First, preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit or 220 degrees Celsius to get it hot enough. Next, arrange your puddings on an oven-safe baking sheet in a single layer and transfer them into the oven.
This exercise should not take more than five minutes. However, keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t burn.
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Reheating in the Air Fryer
Like the microwave, this option produces mixed results and is not at the top of my bucket list. Usually, the outer edge will be chewier and less crispy, while the center remains gooey and moist.
However, you can fix this problem by air-frying your puddings just long enough to brown the outside without overcooking them. Simply place all the pieces evenly on the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 350 ℉ for 3-5 minutes.
How To Store Yorkshire Puddings
Yorkshire puddings are best stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for 3-4 days.
However, make sure they cool down completely before refrigerating. Otherwise, condensation may collect inside the container and make the puddings soggy.
And if you are anything like me and enjoy these classics with gravy, I suggest tossing them out. Do you know why? The gravy is overly liquid and will leak into the pudding, making it soggy and reducing its shelf life.
Final Thoughts
Although not the ideal way to reheat Yorkshire puddings, microwaving offers unmatched convenience. However, to get the desired results with your puddings, it is critical to microwave them for the shortest time possible.
If heated for too long, the pudding will become soggy and have an uneven consistency. As a result, monitor the cooking process constantly and stop as soon as you notice the pudding rising.
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