A veal parm hero sandwich is a delicious Italian-American classic. Layers of breaded, fried veal cutlet, tomato sauce, and melted cheese stacked on a crusty hero roll. But like any sandwich, it’s best when freshly made. So what’s the secret to reheating a veal parm hero to crispy, melty perfection? Read on for my tips and tricks.
The Appeal of the Veal Parm Hero
There are so many reasons to love a veal parm hero
-
Tender veal cutlets – Thinly pounded veal cutlets are breaded and fried resulting in a crispy exterior and juicy interior
-
Savory tomato sauce – Bright, tangy marinara sauce adds big flavor.
-
Gooey mozzarella – Melted mozzarella cheese pulls and stretches with each bite.
-
Soft hero roll – The sandwich is piled high on a soft yet sturdy Italian hero roll.
-
Customizable toppings – Lettuce, onion, pepperoncini and more make it your own.
When freshly assembled, the contrast of textures and flavors is hard to beat. But maintaining that magic after reheating can be tricky.
How to Store Leftover Veal Parm Heroes
Proper storage is key to retaining the quality of your leftover veal parm for later. Here are some storage tips:
-
Allow the sandwich to cool completely before storing.
-
Disassemble the sandwich and store the components separately. The veal, cheese, and bread will reheat better on their own.
-
Place veal cutlets in a single layer to prevent steaming.
-
Use shallow airtight containers or resealable bags.
-
Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
-
Freeze veal cutlets for 2-3 months and reheat without thawing.
-
Tomato sauce can be frozen for 4-6 months.
With good storage practices, you’re setting yourself up for the best possible results when reheating.
Reheating a Veal Parm Hero in the Oven
The oven does an amazing job of recrisping the breaded veal and melting the cheese into gooey deliciousness. Here’s a simple process:
-
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
-
Place veal cutlets in a single layer on the baking sheet. Heat for 10-15 minutes until hot and crispy.
-
Stack cutlets on the bread. Add tomato sauce, cheese, and any desired toppings.
-
Bake open-faced for 5 minutes until cheese melts.
-
Close the sandwich, wrap in foil and bake another 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
The key is to re-crisp the cutlets before assembling. And be careful not to overmelt the cheese into a rubbery mess.
Microwave Reheating Tips for Veal Parm Heroes
While the oven is ideal, you can also use the microwave in a pinch:
-
Heat veal and cheese separately at 50% power in 30 second bursts. This prevents steaming.
-
Heat the hero roll wrapped in a damp paper towel to refresh it.
-
Microwave the assembled sandwich for 30-60 seconds until warm. Don’t overheat.
-
Finish under the broiler for 1 minute to melt and brown the cheese.
Take extra care when microwaving to avoid turning this sandwich into a soggy mess. But with some finesse, you can still achieve close to original texture and taste.
Air Fryer Veal Parm Hero Reheating
An air fryer is a sandwich-reheating game changer. Here is a simple process:
-
Preheat air fryer to 380°F.
-
Air fry veal cutlets 5-7 minutes until hot and crispy.
-
Crisp hero roll halves cut-side down for 1-2 minutes.
-
Layer veal, sauce and cheese on roll bottom.
-
Air fry open-faced 2-3 minutes to melt cheese.
-
Close sandwich and press down for 30 seconds before serving.
The air fryer gives incredible crunch to the veal coating and roll while melting the cheese perfectly. Just be careful not to overcook.
Troubleshooting for the Best Results
If your reheated veal parm hero isn’t living up to the original, check these common issues:
-
Soggy bread – Crisp the roll before reheating open-faced.
-
Limp veal – Make sure veal is very hot before assembling. Re-crisp as needed.
-
Rubbery cheese – Heat just until melted, don’t overcook.
-
Dry sandwich – Add sauce and melt cheese open-faced to allow steam to escape.
-
Bland flavor – Season components before reheating and finish with herbs, oil, vinegar if needed.
Putting a little extra care into properly storing, reheating and assembling your leftover veal parm hero will pay off in sandwiches that look, taste and satisfy like they just came from the deli.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reheating Veal Parm Heros
Still have some questions about the process? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
How long does a veal parm hero last in the fridge?
Properly stored, the components should last 3-4 days refrigerated. Disassemble the sandwich and store veal, cheese, and bread separately.
Can you reheat a veal parm hero in the microwave?
Yes, you can microwave a veal parm hero by heating components separately and assembling once hot. Finish briefly under the broiler. Take care not to overcook.
Is it better to reheat veal parm open-faced?
Reheating open-faced allows steam to escape which prevents the bread from getting soggy. Once cheese is melted, close the sandwich to finish.
Should you reheat the bread before assembling veal parm hero?
It’s best to lightly crisp or warm the hero roll before adding hot fillings. This helps prevent a soggy sandwich.
How long should you reheat veal cutlets?
In a 350°F oven, reheat breaded veal cutlets for 10-15 minutes until very hot and the breading is crisped. Take care not to dry them out.
What temp do you reheat a veal parm hero in the oven?
The optimal oven temp is 350°F. Reheat components separately, assemble open-faced to melt cheese, then wrap to finish for 5 minutes.
Satisfy Your Craving with a Perfect Veal Parm Hero
There’s no need to suffer through a soggy, rubbery veal parm hero when your craving strikes. With proper storage and reheating, you can enjoy every bite of crispy fried veal, melted cheese, and savory tomato sauce on a freshly-toasted hero roll. Use my tips to reheat your veal parm hero perfectly every time. Just be prepared for requests for leftovers again tomorrow!