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This article was updated on 31/07/2023 for clarity and to improve the readability of the text.

Custard tarts are best served warm, but the last thing you want is soggy pastry and split custard. (Yuk!).

To help you avoid this, I’ve tried three different reheating techniques to find out which ones result in a custard tart with a smooth, creamy filling and flaky, buttery pastry.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best way to reheat a custard tart is in the oven. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Next, place the custard tart straight onto the oven’s wire rack or onto a preheated baking sheet. Reheat the custard tart for 5 to 7 minutes. Serve immediately for best results.

A note on my experiment

Custard tarts are one of life’s little pleasures – easy to make and always a hit with guests. One Saturday, I cleaned my local bakery out of their tarts and kept some overnight.

The next day, I tested out different ways of reheating them. I reheated them in:

The oven: Best method overall.
The microwave: Negatively impacts the pastry.
The air fryer: Good results – similar to oven method.

More Pastry Content: How To Reheat A Croissant

Reheating custard tarts in the oven (or toaster oven)

Time: 5-7 minutes
Rating: 10/10

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
Place the tarts straight onto the oven’s wire rack or a preheated baking tray.
Warm the tarts for 5 to 7 minutes (or 3-5 minutes in a toaster oven).
Remove the tarts from the oven and serve them immediately.

Setting the custard tarts down on a preheated or open surface prevents the bottom of the pastry from becoming soggy. And if you want to check if your tarts are evenly heated, insert a knife or toothpick into the custard’s center and feel if it comes out warm.

Results: This was my favorite method because the pastry came out crisp and flaky, and the custard was warm, smooth, and delicious. The tarts weren’t that different from the fresh ones!

Reheating custard tarts in the microwave

Time: 30-40 seconds
Rating: 5/10

Warm 1-2 custard tarts at a time in 20-second intervals.
Once evenly heated, allow them to rest for a few seconds before serving.

For best results, make sure your tarts are room temperature, rather than chilled, before heating them in the microwave. And go slowly! 20 second intervals might seem short, but it reduces the risk of you overheating the tarts.

Results: I wouldn’t recommend this method because the pastry came out soggy and chewy. There was no crisp left. The custard still tasted good, but they don’t taste freshly-baked.

Reheating custard tarts in the air fryer

Time: 2-4 minutes
Rating: 8/10

Set your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
Place your custard tarts in the fryer basket and heat for 2 to 4 minutes.
Check your tarts at the 2-minute mark to make sure they’re not burning.

With this method, the pastry can heat at a different rate to the custard, so keep that in mind and check on progress regularly. Testing the warmth of the custard at the halfway heating mark can give you a good indication of how much more heating time is needed.

Results: The air fried custard tarts were very similar to the oven-cooked ones, but with slightly crispier pastry. But not everyone has an air fryer, so it can’t be the best method.

How to store custard tarts

The best way to store custard tarts is in an airtight container in the fridge, where they’ll last for up to 5 days. I like to line the container with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture because I think it keeps the pastry flakier for longer.

Your tarts should be at room temperature before you place them in the container. If they’re still warm, you’ll get condensation build up in the container.

Can you freeze custard tarts?

You can freeze custard tarts for up to 3 months, but they’ll never be as crisp as when they’re freshly baked and you risk the custard splitting when you thaw them.

Place your custard tarts, not touching, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and freeze for 1-2 hours. Then place the semi-frozen tarts in a zip-lock freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.

Flash-freezing the tarts individually will prevent them from sticking together in the freezer bag, so you can easily remove one at a time rather than defrosting the whole lot. You can also wrap each tart individually in plastic wrap to keep them from sticking together.

To remove the excess air from your zip-lock bag, use a straw or press down on the bag while you are sealing it. Or use a vacuum sealer if you have one.

The best way to thaw custard tarts is slowly. Place them in the fridge and allow them to defrost at a steady pace overnight. While thawing, set them down on a paper towel-lined plate to try and absorb excess moisture.

Want to learn more? Check out my detailed post on freezing and thawing custard tarts.

How To Reheat Custard Tarts [Tested Methods]

I’ve tried three different reheating techniques to determine how best to retain a custard tart’s smooth, creamy filling and flaky, buttery pastry.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Portuguese

Keyword: custard tarts, how to reheat custard tarts

Cook Time: 2

Total Time: 2

Servings: person

Calories: 298kcal

Ingredients

1 portion custard tarts

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
Place the tarts straight onto the oven’s wire rack or a preheated baking tray.
Heat the tarts for 5 to 7 minutes.
Remove the tarts from the oven and serve them immediately.

Notes

If you want to check if your tarts are evenly heated, insert a knife or toothpick into the custard’s center and feel if it comes out warm.

Check your custard tarts at the 5-minute mark to make sure you’re not over warming them, as this can result in dried-out pastry and a less-than-desirable custard consistency.

This is the best way to reheat multiple custard tarts at once.

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 298kcal