All the Ways I Love to Eat Pop-Tarts

The simple Pop-Tart has come a long way since its inception in the 1960s. While they don’t look any different, the way they’re eaten has been the subject of some fanciful experimentation. This is a colorful, jam-filled, toaster-friendly treat with tiny sprinkles on top. If it’s been a while since you’ve dipped your toes in the jam-filled pastry pool for breakfast, this is your sign to take the plunge. Here are some of the best ways to eat Pop-Tarts.

Eat them frozen

Out of respect for the approaching temperatures, the first suggestions of Pop-Tart will be a treat to cool you down. I would never recommend a toaster oven hot to 80°F; I just couldn’t stand it. Instead, treat yourself to a frozen Pop-Tart. Take the foil pouches out of the cardboard box (the cardboard gets wet and takes up more space) and store them in the freezer until you need them most. The dough acquires a crispy texture and the jam never becomes icy, but ends up pleasantly soft.

Crumble them into ice

Plain ice cream is good, but I’m much more likely to have a pint of ice cream loaded with thing. I love caramel swirls, chocolate chunks, cheesecake blobs, etc. So when I tried no-churn ice cream, you better believe I crumbled Pop-Tarts in it. It’s easiest to incorporate it into the soft serve step when you make your own ice cream at home, but you can also do it with store-bought. Leave the ice cream in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes to soften. Pour it into a bowl and mix in the pieces of dough. You can put it back in the pint to freeze hard, or just start eating it.

Stack an Ice Cream Sandwich

Ice cream sandwiches are inherently fun, and when the “bread” is Pop-Tarts, the lucky eater is sure to smile. I like Pop-Tarts ice cream sandwiches because you can really take liberties with the flavor combinations. At any given time, Pop-Tarts will have classic flavors (like strawberry, blueberry, and brown sugar and cinnamon), but I constantly see the shelves stocked with weird beard flavors, like Apple Jacks, Boston Creme Donut, or the Frosted Strawberry Milkshake. Pair them with one of the many ice creams in the freezer section and you have a delicious treat. Here’s how to make a Pop-Tart Ice Cream Sandwich.

Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

Use Pop-Tarts for Pie Crust

Usually, graham cracker crumb crusts are the standard for refrigerated pies and tartlets, but why not replace the crumbs with something a little more nostalgic (not to mention colorful). The best part is that it’s a one-ingredient crust. Throw a few Pop-Tarts into a food processor and grind them into small crumbs. Press the pieces into a pie dish and the jam particles will help bind the crust. Read this for the complete method.

Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

Prepare the laziest trifle in the world

Cookies and milk are inextricably linked, which is why I think Pop-Tarts and heavy cream are easy friends. Make a perverse trifle multiple flavors of Pop-Tarts topped with whipped cream to quickly please everyone when you don’t have the energy or want to go buy the custard and cake for a “good” trifle.

Crumble topping for muffins and cakes

The main thing that makes a crumb cake so irresistibly good is the streusel topping. And yet, my least favorite thing about making a crumb cake is taking the extra time to make the same filling. Here’s a simple solution: top your cakes with crushed Pop-Tarts. I use crushed ginger snaps in this recipe but the same method applies to your breakfast pastries.

Improve your milkshakes

I don’t need to convince you that a milkshake is a good idea, but know that any milkshake you make can be a lot more fun if it’s loaded with Pop-Tarts. It’s correct, you can drink your Pop-Tarts, and you should do it. It’s also easy with a blender. Simply add your favorite brand of vanilla ice cream, a sleeve of tartlets and a little milk. Walk away and grab a straw.

Replace toast with tartlets

When you eat Pop-Tarts straight out of their foil wrappers, or even lightly toasted, you’re short-circuiting yourself. Sure, they already have flavor, but that sweet topping is more like a kick. Pop-Tarts are actually great toast replacements. Brush with a layer of jam, Nutella or fluff. Why not add a schmear and a few slices of fresh strawberries? Spread a thick layer of peanut butter and top it with banana slices for a snack worthy of rivaling any 12-grain slice. The flavor combinations are endless, and if you haven’t already, now is a good time to add a can of Cherry Frosted to your grocery list.