How To Thaw Uncrustables Fast

Uncrustables are delicious frozen sandwiches that are ready to eat once they have thawed. While this is an ingenious idea, there are some issues with it.

The one downside to these sandwiches is that they need time to thaw. And if you thought the microwave is a good way to go, get ready for a steamy soggy mess!

So, how do you thaw Uncrustables fast but without ruining their texture? The fastest and best way to thaw an uncrustable is to simply leave them out at room temperature until they fully thaw. If you have more time, you can also defrost them in the refrigerator. You should avoid microwaving a frozen uncrustable as it will likely ruin the taste and texture of the bread.

Today we’ll also talk about various other methods for thawing an uncrustable even more quickly.

These methods include thawing in hot water, thawing on a heating pad, using your body temperature, placing the Uncrustables in sunlight, or thawing them in a towel.

This guide will take an in-depth look at these methods, how they work, what to look out for, and some alternatives you can try for each.

Then, we will also take a look at how to plan ahead and how you can store the thawed Uncrustables safely.

What Are Uncrustables?

If you haven’t heard of Uncrustables, you likely live somewhere they aren’t available. This is one of the most popular frozen ready-to-eat snacks on the market, especially popular for kids.

Uncrustables are mini crustless sandwiches that come in a variety of flavors.

Some of the most popular flavors include peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches, peanut butter and honey sandwiches, and peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwiches.

But have a look at their website. There are loads more!

Now, as we’ve mentioned, these ready-made sandwiches are sold frozen.

So that means that you will need to thaw them before diving right in.

Usually, the benefit of putting a couple of these in the lunchbox is that by the time you eat it, they have just been thawed.

But what if you didn’t plan ahead? Do you still need to wait a couple of hours before diving in? Because let’s be honest, nobody can wait THAT long!

How Do You (Usually) Thaw Uncrustables

Usually, Uncrustables thaw at room temperature. This can take anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes depending on the actual temperature of the room.

So, if you put it in a lunchbox for the kids (especially if there is an ice pack involved), it can take a couple of hours.

How To Thaw Uncrustables Fast

Now, the entire reason we are here today: how do you thaw Uncrustables quickly? 

Luckily, there are quite a few methods you can use and all of them are equally effective.

Some still take a little time and effort, but they are all still much quicker than simply leaving the sandwiches at room temperature.

Let’s take a look at the best options you can try. Then, you can choose one that works best for you!

Warm Water Method

We love this method because of its efficiency. While it is super easy, if you don’t take care, it can end in disaster!

So, what is the water method?

Basically, you add all of the Uncrustables into an airtight resealable bag.

Then, remove as much air as you possibly can. Make sure it is sealed tightly, otherwise, the warm water will soak the sandwiches! You can even double-bag them if that makes you feel more comfortable. 

And please reuse the bags. These sandwiches won’t make them super dirty, and it’s as easy as wiping them with a warm cloth.

If it makes you feel more sanitary, you can wash them with warm soapy water, rinse them out very well, and leave them to dry.

Now, once the sandwiches are placed in a bag, you can submerge them in lukewarm water. This will let them thaw out in under 10 minutes, possibly even 5!

Tips For This Method:

Remove as much air as you possibly can. Otherwise, the bags will float. This will make the Uncrustables thaw unevenly and even cause some areas to get soggy.

If the bags still float, you can weigh them down with utensils or a small side plate. 

Don’t allow the Uncrustables to stay in the warm water for too long. This will cause them to become soggy and just unpleasant.

Use Your Body Heat

If you find yourself somewhere without any “tools,” you can always just use your body heat to help thaw these sandwiches more quickly.

If you don’t already know, your body temperature is much higher than room temperature.

So, simply keeping them between your hands will already reduce the thawing time by half!

Then, you can also place it directly against your chest (in a bag of course) or underneath a jacket.

Just be gentle because you don’t want to squish the sandwiches.

Heating Pad Method

One method we LOVE using, especially in the winter when you already have a heating pad on you.

You can place the Uncrustables in a bag (it doesn’t have to be a resealable one) and leave it on top of a heated heating pad. A heated bean bag also works fine.

Make sure to flip the Uncrustable over so it heats evenly on both sides of the sandwich.

Wrap In Towel

This method will take slightly longer than the others, but it’s still quicker than leaving the Uncrustables to thaw at room temperature.

To do this, simply wrap up the entire box of Uncrustables (or some in a bag) in a large towel. The towel will create insulated heat which will help the sandwiches thaw much more quickly.

If you’d like, you can slightly heat the towel. However, this may cause condensation in the bag which can make the sandwiches soggy.

You also don’t have to use a towel. You can use a shirt, a jacket, a piece of fabric – any material that can help insulate the heat.

Leave In Direct Sunlight

Last, but certainly not least, you always have the option to simply leave the Uncrustables in direct sunlight.

For this technique, it’s still best to place them in a bag. This way, they won’t dry out.

Place them in a single layer on a plate or inside a baking tray. Leave them in direct sunlight for a couple of minutes. And don’t forget to turn them over so they thaw on the other side as well.

Can You Thaw Uncurstables In the Microwave?

It is widely known that Uncrustables should never be thawed inside the microwave. Yet nobody explains why. This causes more people to try different techniques to thaw their sandwiches in the quickest way possible.

The reason the microwave method doesn’t work for these sandwiches is that the filling starts to boil and create steam. When it boils, it causes the sandwich to burst open.

Obviously, the filling leeches out, causing a big mess and a sub-par sandwich.

But, while there isn’t an easy way to thaw Uncrustables in a microwave, there is a way nonetheless.

How To Thaw Uncrustables In A Microwave

Place the Uncrustables on a microwave-safe plate. If you have a food cover for the microwave, use it. Otherwise, just use a sheet of paper towel. Don’t worry, it won’t catch alight.

Place the plate inside the microwave. Only heat the frozen Uncrustables for 15 seconds on medium-high heat.

Flip the sandwiches over. Heat them for another 15 seconds on medium-high heat.

If they aren’t completely thawed yet, flip them over again and only heat them for 10 seconds this time.

Remove them from the microwave and let them cool for a minute before digging right in.

Can You Thaw Uncrustables In the Fridge?

Now, this may seem like an odd question considering we are looking at the quickest way to thaw Uncrustables.

However, if you can thaw them FAR in advance, you could potentially avoid having the problem in the first place.

So, can they be thawed in the fridge?

Luckily, they can. And honestly, it’s even better than thawing them at room temperature. Because they thaw extremely slowly, their integrity is kept intact.

To thaw these sandwiches in the fridge, you have to place them inside airtight containers or bags. This ensures that they won’t dry out in the fridge.

Then, simply leave them to thaw for a couple of hours or even overnight!

How Long Can You Keep Thawed Uncrustables?

This depends on where you are storing them during this time.

The FDA and USDA always recommend keeping fresh produce, cooked and raw meat, and cooked or processed meals inside the fridge or freezer.

If you were to leave them out at room temperature, only do so for a maximum of 2 hours. This is to ensure that harmful bacteria don’t multiply to dangerous numbers.

However, it’s also to ensure that the sandwich doesn’t become too soggy.

Now, if you keep the thawed Uncrustables in the fridge, you can store them for up to 24 hours! That’s exactly why we mentioned thawing-in-advance as an option above.

Always store Uncrustables in an airtight container or bag in the fridge.

And for one final method for thawing your uncrustable: