If you grew up in the United States, chances are at least one time for breakfast you ate something called a toaster strudel. These tiny breakfast pastries are made from a light and flaky dough and are filled with a delicious jam-based filling. They come in many different flavors ranging from cinnamon and smores to the classic strawberry toaster strudel.
They are almost always advertised as best when toasted. With delicious icing dripping over a warm outer crust, it is hard to imagine ever eating them cold. However, if you’re having breakfast on the go it could be difficult to make sure your toaster strudel has been toasted before eating it.
If you’re in a pinch toaster strudels can be eaten cold without having to worry about any health risks. However, they won’t taste as good. If they’re not toasted you may find that the filling of the toaster strudel is too thick and gelatinous. The icing also won’t spread well unless the toaster strudel is hot enough to melt it.
Whenever you see a toaster strudel in a commercial they are toasted hence the name “toaster strudel.” The instructions on the package also suggest that you should toast them or microwave the toaster strudels before eating them. However, is this necessary or is it just a suggestion to get the best flavor out of the food?
Toaster strudels are meant to be toasted in a toaster or toaster oven before they are eaten. However, it is safe to eat a toaster strudel without toasting it if you prefer. The pastry and filling are pre-cooked, so they are safe to eat without heating them up. If you decide to eat them without cooking them, you won’t be risking food poisoning like with some other foods.
Keep in mind that the pastry may be dry and the filling may be cold if you eat it without toasting it. Depending on the flavoring, this could really change up the way it is supposed to taste. Additionally, the icing packet that comes with the toaster strudel is not meant to be eaten without being heated, as it may be too thick and difficult to spread on the pastry.
Although toaster strudels are super popular amongst both the young and the old, they are unfortunately not considered a healthy food. They are a type of pastry that is typically high in calories, sugar, and fat, and low in nutrients.
While they may be convenient and tasty, it is best to limit your consumption of pastries like toaster strudels and choose more nutritious options for your meals and snacks. If you eat toaster strudels in excess, the high levels of sugar and lack of other nutrients could lead to nutritional deficiencies and health conditions like diabetes.
If you have them once in a while toaster strudels can be part of a healthy and balanced diet. However, they are not considered healthy.
Toaster Strudel Nutritional Information
The exact nutritional profile for a toaster strudel will vary depending on the flavor that you purchase. Some flavors will have slightly more sugar than others since the flavoring and ingredients vary.
For the sake of this example, the strawberry toaster strudel, one of the most popular flavors, is being used.
One strawberry toaster strudel contains:
Calories: 180
Total Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 2.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 5mg
Sodium: 180mg
Total Carbohydrates: 28g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 10g
Protein: 2g
As you can see, the nutrients of this food lean heavily toward carbohydrates and added sugars. Although this is okay in moderation and can be enjoyed as the occasional treat, they should not be eaten regularly as a meal for breakfast. Instead, try eating something that is higher in protein and does not contain as much added sugar.
What Makes Toaster Strudels Not Vegan?
A super common question that people have is are toaster strudels vegan or not. After all, it’s not like they obviously contain eggs or milk so many wonder if they are part of what’s considered the “accidentally vegan” food group.
Unfortunately, toaster strudels are typically not vegan, but that will depend on the flavor and the brand of the toaster strudels. Some flavors will contain egg or dairy-based ingredients that make the product non-vegan. A lot of flavors with more jelly-like fillings are also not vegan and contain gelatin as one of their ingredients.
However, some flavors and brands do not contain any of these ingredients making them vegan. You’ll just want to make sure to read the ingredients list before eating them to ensure that you are not consuming anything that you’re allergic to or don’t want to eat.
Alternatively, you can also make your own toaster strudels to ensure they don’t have any ingredients that you’re trying to avoid. A super easy way to do this is by purchasing premade pie crust from the store and making a simple fruit filling at home. You could also just purchase some vegan jelly to use in place of a homemade filling.
All you’ll need to do is make little pockets out of the dough, fill them with jelly, crimp the edges, and then toss them in the oven. Keep in mind that with homemade toaster strudels, they will definitely need to be cooked before using them. This is especially important if the dough contains animal products since they can carry harmful bacteria.
How Unhealthy are Toaster Strudels?
Toaster strudels are not considered a healthy food choice due to their high sugar, fat, and calorie content. They are typically made with refined flour, sugar, and vegetable oil, and are often topped with sweet icing.
If you regularly consume toaster strudels you may find yourself dealing with some difficult health conditions. Some of these conditions include:
Weight gain and obesity: Toaster strudels are high in calories, which can contribute to weight gain and obesity if consumed in excess.
Diabetes: The high sugar content of toaster strudels can cause blood sugar levels to spike, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes over time.
High cholesterol and heart disease: Toaster strudels are high in saturated and trans fats, which can increase cholesterol levels and contribute to the development of heart disease.
Poor nutrition: Toaster strudels are not a good source of nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Consuming them regularly can lead to a lack of important nutrients in your diet.
When toaster strudels first began being produced they were made in the strawberry flavor. To this day, strawberry toaster strudels are some of the most popular that the company offers. If you ever see someone eating a toaster strudel, chances are it is strawberry flavored.
After the strawberry flavor took off and became popular they decided to introduce several other flavors. Some of the other original flavors were blueberry, cinnamon, apple, and cherry flavors. Although these are still popular, they have never reached the popularity that strawberry had and has maintained to this day.
Conclusion
Even though they are not considered the healthiest option, toaster strudels are a popular breakfast food, especially in the United States. In a matter of minutes, you can have a delicious toaster strudel hot and ready to eat. They are also super easy to transport and you won’t even need a plate since the filling is on the inside.
Although they won’t be as good this way, you can also eat toaster strudels when they’re cold. However, you can expect that the filling will be chunky and you’ll probably have a pretty hard time getting the ice cream to spread.
