Have you got a few too many custard tarts, and you’re not sure how well they’ll fare when you reheat them?
These simple but decadent treats are a dish best served warm, but the last thing you want is soggy pastry and split custard. (Yuk!).
I’ve tried three different reheating techniques to determine how best to retain a custard tart’s smooth, creamy filling and flaky, buttery pastry.
I’ve also investigated the best way to store them for prolonged freshness.
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. Lately, I’ve been wondering if I can prepare them upfront and reheat them when I need them.
Wanting to discover how best to keep custard tarts tasting freshly baked, I tried three different reheating techniques to preserve their creamy filling and flakey texture.
I wasn’t disappointed.
The three reheating methods I tried included:
- Reheating custard tarts in the oven (best method overall)
- Reheating custard tarts in the microwave (negatively impacts the pastry)
- Reheating custard tarts in the air fryer (good results – similar to oven method)
The oven method proved to be the most convenient technique and produced exceptional results. In fact, they tasted just as good as if I’d just baked them fresh.
On the other hand, the microwave method was disappointing and made the pastry a bit chewy and soft.
The air fryer was a bit of a trickier method in terms of getting the tarts’ warmth just right, but the results were comparable to the oven-heated tarts.
More Pastry Content: How To Reheat A Croissant
Reheating custard tarts in the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the custard tarts straight onto the oven’s wire rack or onto a preheated baking sheet. Allow them to warm up for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Setting the custard tarts down on a preheated surface prevents the bottom of the pastry from becoming soggy.
How to reheat custard tarts in the oven:
- 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.
- Remove the tarts from the oven and serve them immediately.
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 overheating 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.
My verdict
Overall, I found this to be the best method as the pastry came out crisp and flaky, and the custard was warm, smooth, and delicious.
There was almost no difference between when I had first baked them and after reheating them.
Reheating custard tarts in the microwave
Place your custard tarts, spaced out, on a microwave-safe plate. On medium heat, warm them in 30-second intervals until they are heated through. Allow them to rest for a few moments and then serve immediately.
Avoid overheating them, as this will dry out the pastry.
How to reheat custard tarts in the microwave:
- Place your custard tarts on a microwave-safe plate.
- On medium heat, warm them in 30-second intervals.
- Once evenly heated, allow them to rest for a few seconds.
- Serve warm.
For best results, make sure your tarts are room temperature, rather than chilled, before heating them in the microwave.
While this method is convenient, it does make the pastry quite soft and a bit chewy while simultaneously drying it out, so timing is everything.
You also risk overcooking the custard filling and turning its texture congealed if you leave custard tarts in the microwave for too long.
My verdict
I wouldn’t recommend this method because it didn’t crisp up the tarts’ pastry, ruining their signature texture.
The custard still tasted good, so it’s an okay method if you’re in a hurry, but the oven or air fryer are better options for a freshly-baked taste.
Reheating custard tarts in the air fryer
Set your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Place your custard tart in the center of the fryer’s basket and heat it for 3 to 4 minutes. Test the warmth of the tart by inserting a knife into the custard and feeling how warm it is to the touch when pulled out. Once evenly heated, remove and serve.
This method produces lovely, flaky pastry, but you need to monitor it carefully to avoid burning the tart.
How to reheat custard tarts in the air fryer:
- Set your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
- Place your custard tarts in the fryer basket.
- Heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Check your tarts at the 2-minute mark to make sure they are not burning.
- Once heated evenly, remove from the basket, and serve.
With this method, the pastry can heat at a different rate to the custard, so keep that in mind and adjust the temperature of your air fryer accordingly.
Testing the warmth of the custard at the halfway heating mark can give you a good indication of how long they need to go for.
It’s easy to burn custard tarts in the air fryer, so stay close while reheating them.
My verdict
This method produces very similar results to the oven, perhaps even a slightly flakier pastry.
However, it is not as straightforward as the oven method, and not everyone has an air fryer.
I would recommend this method once you get the hang of it, as it is quick and convenient, and the results are impeccable.
How to store custard tarts
The best way to store custard tarts is in an airtight container in the fridge. Line it with a paper towel, and place the tarts, not touching, in the container. Then, seal tightly and store them in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Your tarts should be at room temperature before you place them in the container, as this will prevent a build-up of condensation.
The paper towel lining absorbs excess moisture, keeping the pastry flakier for longer.
Can you freeze custard tarts?
Place your custard tarts, not touching, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and freeze for 4 to 6 hours. Then, wrap each pastry in plastic wrap and place them in a zip-lock freezer bag. Remove as much air from the bag as possible, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Flash-freezing the tarts individually will prevent them from smooshing together or falling apart.
How to freeze custard tarts:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place your custard tarts, not touching, on the prepared tray.
- Freeze them for 4 to 6 hours, or until frozen solid.
- Tightly wrap each pastry in plastic.
- Place the tarts in a zip-lock freezer bag.
- Remove the excess air from the bag.
- Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Wrapping them in plastic wrap provides extra protection against freezer burn.
Removing the air from the bag keeps them fresher for longer and also keeps out harmful bacteria.
To remove the excess air from your zip-lock bag, use a straw or press down on the bag while you are sealing it. Alternatively, use a vacuum sealer.
Want to learn more? Check out my detailed post on freezing and thawing custard tarts.
I experimented with several freezing and thawing techniques to prevent the custard from splitting.
How to thaw custard tarts
Custard tarts are pretty delicate and don’t freeze or thaw particularly well. Often, the custard will split if you thaw them incorrectly. The texture of the tarts is also likely to suffer quite a bit.
This is because the liquid embedded in the custard separates from the fatty components and soaks into the pastry, making it soggy.
The custard, in turn, becomes cloggy and grainy and loses its creaminess.
To try and avoid this, 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.
How to reheat frozen custard tarts
To reheat frozen custard tarts, first thaw them in the fridge. Next, place them in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can warm them in an air fryer (also at 350°F/180°C for 3 to 4 minutes. Keep a close eye to avoid burning the pastry.
While these methods are unlikely to produce fresh, crispy pastry, they are your best chance of restoring some of the tarts’ signature tase.
While reheating them, use the knife test to determine how warm the center custard is.
How long do custard tarts last?
If you’re wondering how long you can keep these delicious creamy treats, take a look at the following guidelines:
- Room temperature: Custard tarts contain egg and dairy, which can easily attract harmful bacteria if left standing out for too long. I recommend that you store custard tarts in the fridge within one day of baking them. Sooner, if possible. Keep them covered.
- Refrigerated: You can store custard tarts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Frozen: Frozen custard tarts should be reheated within three months of storing them.
The Best Way To Reheat Custard Tarts
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.
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