How to Keep Sausage Rolls Warm in a Lunch Box

Packing a delicious and satisfying lunch for work or school is so important, but it can be challenging to keep certain foods, like sausage rolls, warm until lunchtime. Nobody wants to bite into a cold, soggy sausage roll! The good news is that with the right gear and tricks, you can enjoy piping hot sausage rolls no matter where you are. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best tips and methods for keeping sausage rolls warm in a lunch box.

Use Insulated Lunch Boxes and Containers

The first step is choosing the right lunch box or bag. Look for items made out of insulated materials, like neoprene, nylon or polyester. Insulated lunch boxes have a lining that helps block outside air and retain interior temperatures. This keeps cold foods chilled and hot foods warm!

Inside your insulated lunch box, use an insulated food container or thermos Stainless steel versions often work best since the material holds heat effectively. Make sure the container is just the right size for your sausage rolls too – you don’t want too much extra air space inside Pre-heat your thermos by filling it with boiling water for a few minutes, emptying it out, then adding your hot sausage rolls. This helps the thermos retain maximum heat.

Wrap Sausage Rolls Well

You can help sausage rolls retain heat by wrapping them properly before placing them into your thermos or insulated container. Wax paper or foil work great for this step Make sure the sausage rolls fit snugly so there’s no room for cold air to sneak in You can even wrap the sausage rolls in a napkin or dish towel to add extra insulation. Just avoid materials that could make the pastry soggy.

Use Hand Warmers

Disposable hand warmers are a handy trick for keeping your lunch toasty. Activate the warmers per package instructions and place them strategically around your insulated container inside your lunch bag. Some people even wrap hand warmers in cloth and place them right on top of the thermos lid. The gentle heat helps food stay warm for hours. Reusable versions are eco-friendly options.

Give Your Lunch Box a Hot Start

If possible, don’t pack your lunch until right before you leave the house. That way, the food doesn’t have to sit getting cold before you even hit the road. Even better, use warm containers when packing and don’t refrigerate the lunch box. Let it sit out at room temp so it starts off warm when you head out the door.

If you have to pack your lunch the night before, store it somewhere like the oven so it stays warm overnight. In the morning, give the thermos a quick reheat by filling it with hot water for a few minutes before emptying and adding your sausage rolls.

Pack an Actual Hot Pack

Chemical hot packs are available that provide safe, long-lasting heat when activated per instructions. Tuck one of these into your lunch bag alongside your thermos to elevate the overall temperature inside your lunch. This helps food stay hotter longer. Hot packs often provide heat for 6-12 hours, so they’re ideal for a long work or school day.

Add a Phase Change Material Pack

Phase change materials (PCMs) are engineered to absorb and release heat at certain temperatures. There are PCM “packs” designed to keep lunch boxes right around 140°F – hot enough for warm sausage rolls. Simply “charge” the pack by heating it (like in hot water) before adding it to your lunch box alongside your thermos. As the interior temperature drops, the pack will release heat to stabilize things.

Take Advantage of Heat Pods

There are plastic heat pods available that you boil to generate long-lasting moist heat. Simply boil the pod for the recommended time, let it cool briefly, then add it to your lunch box. The pod releases gentle steam heat for hours to keep your lunch contents toasty and moist. These are reusable so you get plenty of uses out of one little pod.

Use the Microwave at Work

If reheating is an option at work, send your sausage rolls in a microwave-safe container. Glass and ceramic versions work well. Simply wrap the rolls well, transport them in your insulated lunch box, then reheat them right before eating for fresh, hot sausage rolls on demand. Even a quick 20-30 seconds in the microwave makes a big difference!

Pack a Thermal Lunch Jar

All-in-one thermal lunch jars have inner jars meant to hold hot foods that you access by unscrewing the outer jar. Pack your sausage rolls in the inner jar, secure the lid, then place the whole thing in your lunch box or bag. The outer jar acts as insulation to retain heat from the hot inner jar. These are great for keeping foods like sausage rolls piping hot.

Use Recycled Materials

If you’re in a pinch, get creative with materials around the house! Aluminum foil, newspaper, dish towels, and even paper towels can add extra insulation around your thermos to keep sausage rolls toasty. Things like cotton balls, foam and fabric scraps can work too. Just wrap your thermos well in your DIY materials and secure with rubber bands or twine.

Take a Small Lunch Crock Pot

Electric mini crock pots plug into your car outlet and allow you to transport hot foods like sausage rolls in a heated environment. For the deepest heat retention, wrap your sausage rolls well and place the crock toward the top of your insulated lunch bag, with some padding underneath it. The gentle heat keeps foods warm for hours.

Grab a Lunch Warmer

Lunch warmers are available that you heat in the microwave before placing in your lunch box. They contain a heating element and neoprene exterior that releases warmth slowly over time. Place your wrapped sausage rolls right on top of the heated lunch warmer inside your lunch bag. The direct contact helps retain heat.

Pack Warm Side Dishes

Include warm side dishes like roasted veggies or beans alongside your sausage rolls to elevate the overall temperature inside your lunch. Well-wrapped warm foods placed next to each other share warmth and heat better than cold items. Even something like warm apple sauce can make a difference!

Take Advantage of Your Drive

If you commute to work or school, take advantage of the trapped heat in your car! Keep your insulated lunch bag in the passenger seat as you drive so it benefits from the warm air. The longer your commute, the better this works. Even running errands before lunch helps elevate that lunch box temperature.

Add a Phase Change Vest

There are phase change vests designed to keep your core warm that you can add to your lunch box to elevate the interior temperature. Simply wear the vest on your commute to work, then pack it into your lunch bag. During your drive, it will absorb your body heat. Then, it will slowly release warmth into your lunch over the next several hours.

Choose Hearty Fillings

Some fillings retain heat better than others. Hearty meats like sausage, meatballs and meatloaf hold warmth longer. Cheese also retains heat well. Fill your sausage rolls with plenty of gooey cheese and hot meat for maximum heat retention from the inside out. Sauces and gravies that aren’t watery are also good options.

Make Mini Versions

Bite-sized sausage rolls retain heat better than large versions, since there is less cool air penetrating the filling. Make your sausage rolls small for lunchbox packing. This allows you to pack more per container too, which generates more shared warmth in that smaller space. It also gives you the perfect built-in portion control.

Line with Foil or Paper

Before packing your warm sausage rolls into a container, line it with foil, wax paper or parchment paper. Make sure the paper touches all interior sides. The layer acts as an extra barrier against cool air and helps retain heat inside your container as you transport your sausage rolls. Just avoid parchments that could make the pastry soggy.

Use Double Containers

Consider packing your sausage rolls in two containers – one inside the other. This could mean a small thermos inside your lunch box thermos, or a plastic container nested inside another. The air gap between the two containers acts as insulation to retain heat better. Just make sure you wrap the rolls well so they still fit nicely.

Pack a Phase Change Insert

You can find thermoses and lunch containers with PCM inserts built right in. The insert absorbs heat as you fill the container with hot food in the morning, then slowly releases that heat back into the container contents throughout the day. This helps regulate the interior temperature to keep foods like sausage rolls toasty for hours.

Elevate Your Thermos

Some thermoses and insulated containers have an elevated base inside. This means there is an air gap under where the food sits. Take advantage of this design by placing your sausage rolls on top of the elevated platform. The air below acts as insulation, while the food itself stays centered in the thermos for maximum heat retention.

Go for a Wide Mouth Design

Look for insulated food jars and thermoses with wider mouths – at least as wide as your sausage rolls. The extra space around the food allows more area for trapped heat and less opportunity for