Are you looking for the best way to microwave a Starbucks panini to make it crispy and juicy again? Instead of using an oven or toaster, use a microwave to reheat a Starbucks panini.
Bread dries out quickly when microwaved, or gets soggy when wrapped with a damp paper towel. The best way to microwave a Starbucks panini is by using a preheated crisper pan to toast the bread and reheat the sandwich ingredients.
Starbucks panini has four different flavors including turkey pesto, tomato and mozzarella, chicken caprese, and ham and swiss. With less than 400 calories per serving, the sandwich is a perfect meal that you can quickly enjoy at anytime of day.
If not consumed right away, consider refrigerating or freezing the leftover Starbucks panini. Reheat the panini sandwich with these easy microwave hacks you can do without cooking.
How long does a Starbucks Panini last?
If you are planning to not to eat the Starbucks panini right away, then the USDA temperature danger zone guidelines recommend that the food item be refrigerated within 2 hours. The USDA safe handling procedures both cheese and luncheon meats are considered perishable food items that should be covered and refrigerated or frozen following the 2-hour rule.
When Starbucks paninis are stored in the fridge, they can last between 3 to 5 days. When Starbucks paninis are stored in the freezer, they can last 1 to 2 months.
The sandwich is easy to store, and will keep in good condition when wrapped tightly. If frozen, defrost in the fridge for 12 hours before proceeding with the microwave method.
How do you heat up a Starbucks panini
Soggy bread is a common complaint about microwaved sandwiches. However, microwaving a Starbucks panini with a crisper tray will significantly reduce the excess moisture.
Day-old bread always looses moisture, therefore it is much when heated up correctly. Wrapping sandwiches in plastic wrap will trap moisture, and the bread will become wet and then cool into a tough and chewy crust.
Remove any foil or wrapper from the panini. Wrap it in a paper towel, and place on a microwave-safe roasting tray for best results.
For best results, use a microwave crisper pan for toasted or grilled sandwiches. Preheat the tray in the microwave for 4 to 5 minutes, and the extremely hot surface will toast and crisp the panini bread in about 30 seconds per side.
To ensure that the sandwich is completely warm throughout, turn it over halfway through the set time. Allow the microwave energy to penetrate half of food and then absorb the heat deeper inside.
Depends on the thickness of sandwich, thicker sandwiches may not heat evenly, so make the effort to turn it over a couple times if necessary. The internal temperature of the sandwich must reach 165°F or 74°C to be fully reheated.
Let the sandwich sit a few minutes before biting into it. The bread can be nice warm on the outside, while the filling inside the panini is extra hot and can burn your mouth.
How long to microwave Starbucks panini
Because Starbucks paninis are filled with cooked and grilled ingredients, all you need is to reheat the sandwich in the microwave.
Set the microwave power level to 100%, preheat the crisper pans, and reheat the sandwich for 30-40 seconds on each side without making the crust soggy.
However, always check the condition of the panini bread before you begin to heat up the panini in the microwave. A few things to look for when checking the quality of the bread:
- If panini is hard and dry, take a brown paper bag that fits the size of panini and place it inside. Leave a bit of air inside, but tightly seal the opening by folding it over. Slightly wet the outside of the bag with water. This technique will help to revive the stale bread, with will prevent the bread from burning.
- If you have soggy and soft bread, use a crisper pan or wrap the sandwich with a dry paper towel around to dry the bread part by absorbing excess moisture.
There are some panini ingredients that just won’t heat up well. You might be better off using lower heat so that you don’t reheat the bread before the insides have been thoroughly heated.
Things to know before microwaving Starbucks panini
With the right tool and proper reheating method, microwaving Starbucks panini is easy as counting 1,2,3.
To make the bread crispy and soft with melted cheese inside, there are couple of tips you need to know before microwaving:
- Cover the panini with a piece of wax paper if you don’t have paper towel. Do not use aluminum foil or plastic wrap to reheat food in the microwave.
- Try lowering your microwave’s power settings. Many microwaves have power levels ranging from 1 to 10 or from 10% to 100%. Somewhere around 60% is a good place to start for a gentler approach to reheat a panini.
- Arrange ingredients to heat up evenly. Slice of meat or vegetable might take slightly longer than a piece of bread like a bun or roll. Heating up in a single layers might help the heat distribute more evenly.
Do not use plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Wrap the sandwich in a paper towel and place it on a microwave safe plate. Reheat for 1 to 2 minutes on medium heat, then evaluate if the sandwich has reached an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C.
Conclusion
Next time you get ready to throw that delicious Starbucks panini in the microwave, take an extra look at these tips. You might be surprised what a difference it can make.
For best results, use a preheated microwave crisper pan. Heat it up in the microwave for 4 to 5 minutes, and then continue with the panini on the hot tray for 30 to 40 seconds on each side.
Whether you are reheating leftovers from earlier in the day, or a cold panini from yesterday, use these microwaving tips to keep your Starbucks panini tasting fresh, delicious, and also avoid having to deal with soggy bread at the same time.
