Pupusas are the delicious national dish of El Salvador. They’re stuffed tortillas that can come with a variety of fillings. You’ll commonly find them served with curtido, which is a type of cabbage slaw.
Luckily, pupusas reheat very well and can be a quick and easy snack for the next day. You have several options when it comes to reheating your leftover pupusas. You can choose to heat them on the stovetop or you can use the oven, microwave, or air fryer.
Some of these methods are better at regaining the crispy exterior than others are. The microwave is the quickest option, but you’ll have to make sacrifices in terms of texture. The stovetop is a popular method as it’s quick and also allows you to crisp up the tortilla while reheating the filling.
This is one of the most popular ways to reheat leftover pupusas. You can reheat your food quickly and also use a little bit of oil to crisp up the tortilla. If you have a heavy-bottomed skillet, like a cast-iron, then feel free to use it for this.
Heat your cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
Lightly oil the skillet before placing the pupusas inside.
Heat for 5-6 minutes, flipping the pupusas halfway through.
Continue heating for 30-45 seconds if you want your pupusas to be more crispy.
Turn off the heat and remove the pupusas from the skillet.
Give the pupusas a moment to cool before you dig in!
Be careful to not heat your skillet on high, as this may burn the outside of the pupusa. You don’t need to use a lot of oil, either. A little bit will go a long way.
Keep a watchful eye on the stove while your food is being reheated. It doesn’t take very long to reheat a pupusa, but they can easily burn if left unattended.
How to Reheat Pupusas in the Oven
If you have several pupusas that you want to reheat at once, the oven will be your best option. You can conveniently place several pupusas onto a sheet tray and reheat them simultaneously. This won’t allow for as crispy of an exterior as the stove will, but it’s still a great option.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place your desired number of pupusas onto a lined sheet pan.
Heat the pupusas for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Check the pupusas for crispiness and continue heating if they aren’t fully heated through.
Turn off the oven and remove the pupusas before eating.
It is important to flip the pupusas partway through the reheating process. This allows both sides to crisp up. When checking to see if the pupusa is hot in the center, you can gently puncture the tortilla with a knife. If the tip of the knife is hot, then the inside of the pupusa is as well.
How to Reheat Pupusas in the Air Fryer
This is a convenient option when you have access to an air fryer. You can quickly reheat your pupusas while also ensuring the exterior gets crispy again. This combines the benefits of both the microwave and the stovetop method.
Heat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the pupusa(s) into the basket of the air fryer.
Heat for 3-5 minutes or until the tortilla is crispy.
Once you’ve reached your desired doneness, remove the pupusa(s).
Allow the stuffed tortillas to cool before enjoying them.
While not everyone has an air fryer in their home, it can be a great tool when it comes to reheating leftovers. You shouldn’t even have to add any extra oil to your pupusa for this method.
How to Reheat Pupusas in the Microwave
If you need a quick and easy snack, the microwave will be your fastest option for reheating your pupusa. However, you will have to sacrifice the crispy exterior of the tortilla. The microwave may steam the pupusa a bit, so the outside won’t get crunchy and crispy.
Place the pupusa on a microwave-safe plate.
Heat on high for 45-60 seconds.
Check the pupusa to ensure that the center is fully warm.
Heat in increments of 10-15 seconds if the pupusa needs more time.
Remove and serve with a delicious side of cold coleslaw.
If you find yourself short on time, then the microwave will be your best bet. You can have reheated pupusas on your plate in under three minutes. If you’re okay with the difference in the texture of the tortilla, then you’ll love the convenience of using the microwave.
How Long Do Reheated Pupusas Last in the Refrigerator?
If you have leftover pupusas, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. If you don’t think that you’ll eat them during that time, you can always freeze them. It isn’t recommended to keep them in the fridge past 3-4 days or else they may have to be thrown out.
Once you have reheated your leftover pupusas, you should eat them immediately. In terms of quality, you will notice a decline if you reheat and then refrigerate the same pupusa multiple times.
A helpful tip when it comes to storing pupusas is to individually wrap each one before you place them into a container or ziplock. This way, you can easily remove your desired serving size. Also, you won’t have to worry about the tortillas sticking to each other and tearing.
Can You Reheat Frozen Pupusas?
If you find yourself with frozen pupusas, you can still reheat them easily. You don’t even have to let them thaw out beforehand. The best method for reheating frozen pupusas is to place them on the stove. The air fryer is also great at heating frozen foods.
When you’re attempting to heat a frozen pupusa, you’ll need to add on a few minutes to the cooking time. It will take a few minutes longer to defrost the tortilla and to ensure the filing is fully warmed through.
Luckily, the filling of the pupusa is already fully cooked. You don’t need to worry about the center staying raw. You just want to make sure everything is fully reheated so that it will be enjoyable to eat.
In Conclusion
Pupusas can be great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You can even enjoy them as a filling snack. They are super easy to reheat and they can be just as delicious the second time around if reheated properly.
Reheat your pupusas on the stovetop for a quick and easy meal or opt for the oven, microwave, or air fryer. If you want to get a crispy exterior tortilla, the microwave won’t be the best choice for you. However, all four of these methods will be effective in reheating your meal.
