The Best Methods For Reheating A Breakfast Burrito

Breakfast burritos are an impeccable savory breakfast option typically filled with delicious components like eggs, potatoes, meat, and veggies — and let's not forget the cheese. There is certainly much to indulge in when eating this food. They are convenient to make as meal prep, because you can prepare a heap of them and stock them in your freezer until you're ready to enjoy them. On the other hand, it is also pleasant to relish this breakfast food from restaurants, because sometimes food just tastes better when you treat yourself. So whether you need to heat a homemade breakfast wrap or a half-eaten one from your local brunch spot, this guide is just what you need.

Although reheating a burrito might not be rocket science, there are assuredly some clever extra steps to ensure it tastes just as good (if not better) as the first time it was made. These methods work whether you've stored it in the refrigerator or the freezer. Nevertheless, the cooking time it takes to heat varies depending on where you store it and how large the food item is. So, be sure to practice food safety when storing and reheating leftovers. For example, no matter which technique you use, the breakfast grub needs to reach 165 Fahrenheit before you chow it down. So grab your cooking thermometer and your leftovers, because these are the downright best ways to revive a breakfast burrito.

The microwave is a saving grace for busy folks who only have a few minutes to prepare breakfast before they start their work or school day. Therefore, it's a dependable machine to use if you make healthy breakfasts and take them on the go. While this appliance doesn't give a toasty effect to the outer surface of your burrito, its rapidity in heating the food makes up for this downside. A couple of steps to take when you use the microwave will significantly improve the food compared to if you just throw it in the machine without any thought.

First, to avoid a dried-out tortilla, pick up a paper towel sheet and lightly wet it (the towel should be damp but not so saturated that it heavily drips). Next, swaddle the breakfast burrito in the paper towel and microwave it in increments. Flip the burrito at least every 20-30 seconds for the best results until it reaches the correct temperature. When you cook it this way, you prevent cold spots, so there's no need to worry about digging into your breakfast burrito only to find the center is still frozen.

Air fryers don't need to be exclusively for French fries. In fact, one of the best things to do with an air fryer is to refresh your leftovers with it. So, should you use aluminum foil with this reheating method? It is up to you, because it is indeed safe to put aluminum foil into an air fryer. If you place a single layer in the basket base, it makes for easier cleanup. However, if you wrap the food with foil, it can be counter-productive because it makes it harder for the appliance to be effective. In short, too much foil in the machine disrupts the airflow, and what is an air fryer without hot air?

Luckily, clever Reddit users have the perfect formula to reheat breakfast burritos in the air fryer. This tip even works if the burrito has been frozen rather than stored in the refrigerator. Place the chilled burrito in the pre-heated air fryer and cook it at 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on how giant the burrito is and what ingredients it contains, this technique takes anywhere from eight to 12 minutes to warm up the food entirely. Another piece of advice is to increase the machine's temperature partway through cooking and let the wrap toast longer if you want the exterior to have some color. Drizzle olive oil or your favorite cooking oil on the burrito before you reintroduce it to the heat.

If you own a toaster oven, it is time to use it well. While some folks aren't sure whether to cook their food in a toaster oven or a microwave, the truth is that it all just depends on preference and what they're cooking. One thing is for sure: Toaster ovens breathe new life into leftovers. The reheated food's quality turns out noticeably better with a toaster oven because it uses dry heat; it prevents dampness in the leftovers. The only catch is that it takes longer than the nifty microwave. 

When you use a toaster oven, you'll want to know one thing. The simple trick to ensure food cooks evenly in a toaster oven is to switch out the dark-colored pan for a light-colored one. This decreases the amount of heat that's being transferred to your food, ensuring a more even bake throughout (rather than a toasty exterior and an undercooked interior). Another thing to do if you want more even cooking, according to a Redditor, is to wrap the burrito before you cook it. Of course, it's best to use aluminum foil since it withstands high temperatures and won't ignite even though the appliance's heat source is close. The Redditor also shares to place the burrito back in the toaster, unwrapped, after the middle is already hot. By doing this, you'll be met with a nice and crispy casing in just a matter of moments.

The stovetop is clearly a reliable way to cook food; the same goes for when you reheat it. But with dense food like burritos, there are some extra steps to take so that the core heats. This method works best with burritos that have been refrigerated or thawed rather than frozen. If you just toss the wrap in a pan without special preparation, the center might remain cold while the outside becomes toasted. To avoid this, first bundle up the burrito in aluminum foil while the skillet is heating. Next, when you place the burrito in the pan, place another heat-safe item on top of it; when you add weight, it aids in the reheating process.

If you have a grill press, that's perfect; otherwise, use a pan lid or a smaller-sized pan. Even though there is a weight on top, still flip the burrito over every so often. The whole process from start to finish should take roughly 15 minutes, which isn't bad considering the splendid outcome. This is one of the best ways to bring doggie bag leftovers back from the dead because it does justice to the burrito's original texture. Ending up without a soggy tortilla is something to celebrate, and the interior will taste noticeably fresh too.

If you are not in a rush, utilize a convection or conventional oven to get the job done. Before you take this route, ensure you have approximately a half-hour of time to do so. Of course, each oven is different, and it depends on how thick the burrito is. The oven is one of the secrets that will bring your leftovers back to life because it preserves the ingredient tastes, textures, and aromas. Sometimes food comes out tasting bland when you use the microwave to reheat it, but that isn't a problem when you use an oven.

The greatest method to heat your burrito is to allow the oven to reach 350 Fahrenheit before you insert the food. Next, fully surround the burrito with aluminum foil and bake it until it's plenty hot. This is one example of the best ways to use your convection oven because the fan distributes hot air throughout the appliance, which evenly heats the leftovers. Needless to say, if all you have is a conventional oven, it will do. Just make sure to flip the food halfway through the cooking time.

Don't let your panini press gather dust; use it to heat your leftovers (specifically, that cheesy and eggy breakfast wrap of yours). A sandwich maker works because it closes in on the burrito and heats it from both sides. Yes, the burrito will have more of a pressed look to it, but the grill marks give it an appetizing appearance, and the tortilla won't feel doughy in the slightest. On a Reddit thread regarding meal prep foods, one user asked for advice on how to heat wraps without them becoming a mushy mess. Another user came in and saved the day. They suggest using aluminum foil as a wrapper for the burrito before you toss it on the sandwich press; they state that it somewhat sears the burrito.

Another option is to use a multi-use indoor grill. For example, certain George Foreman grills act as a panini press and a meat grill. A customer stated in the review section of the product how they use it for "crispyfying" their burritos, so there you have it. Machines that heat on both sides and press the burrito are solid selections for reheating your breakfast.

One downside of using the microwave to reheat your burrito is that it may not get the crunchy outer layer you're looking for. This is where the broiler comes in handy. Since a broiler radiates such high heat, if you place food on it that is straight from the refrigerator or freezer, it will likely just heat the top layer, and the inside would, unfortunately, remain chilled. This is why it is crucial to heat the burrito's interior before you introduce it to the broiler. Next, place the warm burrito on a sheet pan or other oven-safe dish and allow the broiler to brown the tortilla.

When you use this method, it is wise not to leave the room, because broilers often work fast, and you undoubtedly don't want to burn your beloved burrito to a crisp. Once the top side has some color, carefully flip it over to expose the underside. While this adds a couple of minutes to the process, the extra effort is worth it because the texture of the tortilla significantly improves.

If you have the time and the means, reheat your burrito with an outdoor grill, because this method provides astounding results. According to Reynolds, when you wrap the food in aluminum foil before you throw it on the barbecue, it will taste so fresh you won't even realize it's leftovers. As preparation, place the burrito on a square foil piece and lightly wrap it so that only the bottom of the burrito is in contact with the foil. Then, put it on the preheated grill and occasionally open the foil to flip the burrito over.

Additionally, if you cut the burrito in half first, it speeds up the heating process. Mexicali Blue reports that firmly wrapping the burrito is also an option; this method works for both charcoal or gas grills (as well as campfires). It takes roughly 15 minutes for the burrito to heat thoroughly. This option isn't the most convenient, as it requires you to go outside and prepare the grill. However, it is a clever way to make the burrito like new.