How to Keep Food Crispy in a Lunch Box
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Any food that has been fried to perfection is sure to be loved. Whether it be vegetables or meat covered with batter, the crispy crunchy texture is sure to make your ears tingle with every bite. But, the problem arises when you want to eat the crispy food at a later time. But, by then the food would become soggy. So, the question comes, “how to keep food crispy in a lunch box”.
It is necessary to keep the food hot until it is ready to serve to keep it crisp. It is also possible to reheat the food just before serving. Excess oil or grease should be drained because it contributes to the sogginess of crisp food.
Fortunately, there are several methods for keeping your food crispy or increasing the time it stays crispy. This article will teach you how to keep your food crispy while avoiding the soggy mess that it can become. If used correctly, you can enjoy your crispy food without making any sacrifices.
How To Keep Your Fried Food Crispy
Crispy foods are best when they are freshly prepared. However, after a few minutes, it becomes a soggy mess. As a result, the crunchy texture is lost, making it less appealing. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your fried foods crispy for longer periods.
Get Rid Of Excess Oil
When it comes to making your food crispy, oil is essential. However, this causes it to become soggy. Homemade chips, for example, must be cooked multiple times, which increases their oil consumption. Similarly, the increased amount of oil causes the chips to become mushy or soggy after a while.
Cooking chips or other foods in large batches may prevent them from becoming crispy. Furthermore, the temperature of the oil drops, and it takes time to warm up again. As a result, the oil absorbs into the food being fried, resulting in a soggy mess.
You can get rid of excess oil by cooking it in small batches first. As a result, the food has the perfect crispy texture. Another option is to keep the food in an airtight container with paper towels. This will aid in draining as much excess oil as possible. Furthermore, do not refrigerate the food until it has completely cooled, as condensation will cause the coating to become soggy.
Select The Right Container
The best container that I would recommend is a thermos. The reason for this being is that a simple trick with this can go a long way in keeping your food crispy. For instance, various types of crunchy foods like nuggets, chips, fried chicken, etc. can be kept inside without making them soggy.
It should be noted that the thermos must be of good quality. If the quality of the thermos is compromised, then the food itself might not stay crispy. So, make sure to buy a thermos from a well-known brand.
Firstly, the trick to this is to boil water in a small pot, later pouring it into the thermos. Secondly, you should drain the water just before you are ready to pack the food. However, make sure to also clean off the water from the thermos with a paper towel. Likewise, again place a paper towel at the bottom of the thermos, which will absorb the liquid condensation. The heat from the water will warm up the thermos, as a result, the thermos will keep the food inside it warm.
Make Use Of Paper Towels
Putting paper towels in the bottom of your container can help keep your food fresh and warm. The reason for this is that when moisture is released into the air, it begins to condense on the container’s sides. As a result of the condensation, your food will become soggy.
So, when paper towels are placed at the bottom, they will suck up the moisture. Thus preventing your crispy food from turning into a soggy mess. Even though your paper towels will become soggy themselves, it is an acceptable compromise when compared to soggy food.
Reheat When You Can
Another thing you can do with your crispy foods is reheat them whenever you have the opportunity. This means you can reheat your food once you have access to an oven or microwave. This method is best used when traveling to distant locations. For example, if you are visiting a relative, the long distance may cause the food to become soggy. As a result, it is preferable to cool the food ahead of time and then reheat it once you arrive at your relative’s house.
Fries can be made crispy by dipping them in a tablespoon of oil. Then make a single layer of fries in the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 375 Fahrenheit and cook it for three to six minutes.
Besides this, the reheating method is more useful if your food is frozen. By keeping it frozen, you can get a better crispier food after you reheat it or just cook it.
Proper Ventilation Is Essential
When cooked fresh, fried foods are not only crispy but also hot. Similarly, because it is hot, the moisture needs a place to go. So, the best way to deal with this problem is to wait for it to cool. This can be accomplished by placing the fried food somewhere with good ventilation until it is cool enough to handle.
Big fast-food chains like KFC use cardboard boxes with a lot of holes on top for proper ventilation. Similarly, Popeye also applies this method, just with bigger holes at the top. In addition, Wingstop uses styrofoam containers with paper-lined sides.
However, if you need to get somewhere quickly, I recommend carrying the food in a container with holes in it. The sweet smell of fried food may drive you insane, but it will be worth it when you get to eat the crispy food. However, do not store it in a sealed container, as it may become soggy by the time you arrive at your destination.
Cook It To Perfection
Now, when you first make your food, you would want to give it your best effort. While making it, think about how the expert chefs make it. So, follow a recipe and use the proper portions as required.
Try not to cook in large batches as there runs a risk of too much oil getting absorbed and thus ruining the crispy food. So, cook in small batches and enjoy the results. You could also recreate the KFC crunch by using a deep fryer, a Dutch oven, or even a heavy-bottomed pot.
Why You Should Keep Your Food Crispy
The crispy texture of fried food is one of the main reasons why it is so popular. The crunchy noises you hear with each bite are similar to watching an ASMR video. Furthermore, crispy food tastes best when it is freshly cooked. Similarly, when it comes out of the fryer, the delicious aroma only enhances the flavor of your fried foods.
Is it still worth it to eat it after it has gotten cold and soggy? The texture becomes mushy, and it simply does not taste the same as it does when freshly made. For example, a well-known chef once stated that a crunchy food item would sell far better than a standard item. The reason for this is that people enjoy foods with a crunch to them.
Aside from that, when it comes to fried food, you are the judge. After a while, it may take some effort to keep our fried food crispy. However, the result is worth it when you can eat your food without it becoming soggy.
