How To Reheat Gorditas [I Test 5 Methods]

It’s practically sacrilege to discard leftover gorditas, but what’s the best way to reheat them? I experimented to find out.

The best way to reheat gorditas is in the oven or the stove. To use the oven, preheat it to 350°F (180°C) and heat foil covered gorditas for 10 minutes. To use the stove, heat the gorditas on each side for 4-5 minutes using medium-low heat.

How I Tested Reheating Gorditas

I started with a batch of gorditas from my local Mexican restaurant, stuffed my face for dinner, and then put the leftovers away. After a night in the fridge, the gorditas were ready for reheating. I tested reheating them in the: 

• Oven: A good method, but a bit slow.
• Microwave: Convenient, but a bit chewy.
• Stove: My favorite method.
• Air Fryer: Speedy and good for crisping.
• Panini Press: A bonus method if you have one!

My goal was clear, find a reheating technique that would bring back the crispy outside and soft interiors of my gorditas without drying out the fillings.

Psst… If you’re here to reheat a Taco Bell cheesy gordita crunch, skip to this section.

Reheating Gorditas In The Oven

Time: 10 minutes
Rating: 8/10

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Place the gorditas on a wire rack set over a baking tray.
3. Sprinkle a little water over the gorditas to prevent them from drying out.
4. Cover the gorditas with foil and heat for around 10 minutes.
5. Remove the foil for the last two minutes if you want to crisp the gorditas.

I recommend using a wire rack because it means the hot air can circulate properly around the gorditas, meaning they heat up evenly and you won’t get a soggy bottom.

If you don’t have a wire rack, a preheated baking tray will also work.

The oven is a slower method, so I use foil and a small sprinkle of water to keep the gorditas from drying out. If you put them in unprotected, they can start to burn before the middle is heated through.

Results: The oven method is slightly slower, but the results were decent. My gorditas were warm throughout and not too dry. The oven is particularly handy when you need to reheat multiple gorditas at once, making it a good choice for larger meals or gatherings.

Reheating Gorditas In The Air Fryer

Time: 3-5 minutes
Rating: 9/10

1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
2. Spread the gorditas out in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not overlapping.
3. Heat for 3-5 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent overcooking.

Optional: For added moisture, sprinkle some water in the bottom of the air fryer to create a bit of steam.

The air fryer is a harsh reheating method and will heat the gorditas quickly, so check on them often, even a minute or two too long and you will have extra crunchy bread. Avoid stacking the gorditas to ensure even heating.

Results: The air fryer is a great option for a quick snack. My gorditas were slightly dry on the outside, but the inside was moist and piping hot. Note if you have Taco Bell’s Gorditas, the air fryer would be my go-to method because it’s so good at recrisping things.

Reheating Gorditas In The Microwave

Time: 40 seconds
Rating: 6/10

1. Cover the gorditas in a damp paper towel.
2. Heat on high for 20 seconds, then flip and heat for another 20 seconds.
3. Rest for 10 seconds before biting in so you don’t burn your mouth.

The damp paper towel introduces moisture and keeps the bread from drying out too much. Don’t wrap the gorditas in the damp paper towel, or the bottom will get soggy. You can also put a glass of water into the microwave alongside the gorditas.

It’s important to eat the gorditas quickly after reheating them in the microwave because the bread will become hard and cardboard-like as it cools down.

Results: The microwave is okay for a quick fix, but there was no crispness left in the bread, instead it was kind of chewy. The filling was also a bit watery, but nothing too bad. I’d use it again if the gorditas were just for me and I too hungry to wait.

Reheating Gorditas On The Stove

Time: 8-10 minutes
Rating: 9/10

1. Heat a lightly oiled skillet over medium-low heat. You can also use a small amount of butter.
2. Place the gorditas in the skillet and heat for 4-5 minutes on each side. If the gorditas are unfilled, they’ll only need a minute on each side.
3. If the bread is dry, sprinkle some water into the pan and cover with a lid for a minute to steam.

Using a skillet with a tiny bit of oil helps to lightly crisp up the exterior of the gorditas without making them greasy. If you use too much oil the bread will soak it all up.

It can be tempting to turn the heat up to make things faster, but this risks a burnt outside and a cool inside – not what we want!

Be careful when flipping the gorditas! You don’t want all the fillings spilling out. 

Results: This stove was my favorite method. My gorditas were warm and fluffy with a toasty outside and they tasted delicious. It needs a bit more attention, but I think it’s worth it for the results.

How To Reheat A Cheesy Gordita Crunch

The cheesy gordita crunch is a popular Taco Bell order, but it’s nothing like an authentic gordita so you can’t reheat it in the same way. It’s got a crunchy taco shell that you need to re-crisp.

The best way to reheat a Taco Bell gordita is in the oven or air fryer. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and place the gordita on a wire rack, heat for 10 minutes. The dry air in the oven will help re-crisp the outer shell. If you use an air fryer, heat for 3-5 minutes.

You could also use the stove. Lightly toast each side in a skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. 

But avoid the microwave, you’ll lose all of the crunchy texture that makes the gordita crunch so satisfying.

How To Keep Gorditas Warm

If you’re cooking a load of gorditas and don’t want the earlier ones to get cold while the rest are cooking. To keep them warm, place them in a low oven at around 200°F (about 93°C). Cover them loosely with foil to make sure they don’t dry out.

How To Store Gorditas

To store leftover gorditas, allow them to cool to room temperature before placing them in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you know you’re going to have leftovers, don’t fill all the gorditas so you can store the bread and the filling separately.

You can keep unfilled gorditas in a Ziploc bag at room temperature or in the fridge for around 5 days. Remove as much air from the bag as possible to keep them fresh. Keep any extra fillings in an airtight container in the fridge.

Can You Freeze Gorditas?

You can freeze gorditas, but it’s best if they’re unfilled. Excess moisture from the fillings can mess with the texture of the shell. If you want to fill the gorditas before freezing them, stick with ingredients like meats, beans, and cheese. Avoid sauces and salads.

How To Freeze Gorditas

1. Allow the gorditas to cool completely to room temperature.
2. Wrap each gordita individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag.
3. Remove as much air as possible from the freezer bag to minimize air exposure.
4. Aim to use the gorditas within 3 months.

Allowing the gorditas to cool down before freezing prevents condensation from building up inside the packaging, which could lead to sogginess or ice crystals forming.

You can also skip the plastic wrap and separate the gorditas with wax paper instead so they don’t stick together.

When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen gorditas, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for a few hours and then reheat in a 350°F (180°C) oven.

How To Reheat Gorditas [Tested Methods]

In this short recipe, I show you the best way to revive and reheat your leftover gorditas (authentic ones and the Taco Bell version)

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main, Snack

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: How to reheat gorditas

Prep Time: 0 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 person

Calories: 320kcal

Ingredients

• 1 portion gordita

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Place the gorditas on a wire rack set over a baking tray.
• Sprinkle a little water over the gorditas to prevent them from drying out.
• Cover the gorditas with foil and heat for around 10 minutes.
• Remove the foil for the last two minutes if you want to crisp the gorditas.

Notes

I recommend using a wire rack because it means the hot air can circulate properly around the gorditas, meaning they heat up evenly and you won’t get a soggy bottom.

If you don’t have a wire rack, a preheated baking tray will also work.

The oven is a slower method, so I use foil and a small sprinkle of water to keep the gorditas from drying out. If you put them in unprotected, they can start to burn before the middle is heated through.

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 320kcal