Hot food flask ideas for chillier days
Hot food flasks have become very popular for packed lunches, especially during the colder months. We’ve got 10 ideas for hot lunches plus the 5 best hot food flasks.
Warm lunches for winter days
Now that summer has definitely bid farewell and the days are colder and shorter, it’s nice to have a warm lunch to fill you up. But not everyone has the luxury of a microwave to heat up their meal at work or school, and soup in a flask can get a bit boring if you have it every day.
Hot food flasks are a great solution for people on the go, school packed lunches, and even a camping trip or walk in the forest. They’re designed to keep food warm in the same way that drinks flasks keep hot beverages at the right temperature.
If you’ve got some leftovers that would be perfect for lunch the next day but can’t heat them up in the microwave, don’t worry. Simply pre-heat the flask with some boiling water for a few minutes, then empty the water and add your hot meal. It’ll keep the heat in for hours, meaning you can enjoy a cosy, warm lunch on the go.
So the big question is what to put in your food flask, as not everything keeps well for long periods. We’ve got the lowdown on 10 great ideas for hot lunches to put in your hot food flask.
1. Pasta with a sauce
Spag bol, pasta in a spicy tomato sauce, macaroni cheese – pasta is just so versatile, which makes it a great lunch for a hot food flask. It’s a good idea to mix the pasta and sauce together to keep it moist. And if you like to add some cheese, it’s best to keep this separate until you’re ready to tuck in.
2. Burritos or fajitas
For all the Mexican food fans out there, this is an awesome hack! Simply heat up your burrito or fajita mix as you would at home, then pop it in your pre-heated flask. Pack your tortilla wraps, guacamole, cheese and whatever else you like to fill your wraps with separately. It makes a fun, easy and delicious lunch.
3. Shepherd’s pie
Another midweek favourite for the whole family, we can’t guarantee that your leftover shepherd’s pie will keep its defined layer of potato and mince while in your hot food flask, but it’ll still be super-tasty.
4. Curry
Curry is perfect for a flask because the flavour intensifies when it’s left for a while. You could even add a takeaway curry to your flask if you have some leftover. If you enjoy your curry with rice, it’s a good idea to mix it with the sauce to ensure it doesn’t dry out.
5. Stew
A stew is the perfect filling lunch to warm you up on a chilly day. Pack your stew with lots of vegetables to keep you going and help fight off the cold.
6. Noodles
Leftover noodles from your Chinese takeaway or homemade evening meal are great for your hot food flask. You can even use dried noodles from a packet – simply make according to the instructions, as if you were going to eat them straightaway, but just add them to your flask to enjoy later.
7. Sausages and beans
A super-easy warm lunch – just warm up a tin of beans and sausages and pop them in your flask. Wrap up some bread and butter to take with you and enjoy as an accompaniment.
8. Hotdogs
You can get American-style hotdogs in a tin or jar for most supermarkets. Heat them up as usual in the microwave or on the hob, then add to the flask. Fill the flask with boiling water from the kettle. Take your bread rolls and favourite sauces separately to enjoy on the go. Kids will love this idea for their packed lunch!
9. Chilli con carne
Similar to curry, the flavours intensify if you leave your chilli con carne for a day or two. If you’re adding it to a food flask, heat up your chilli and mix in your cooked rice to keep things moist. Alternatively, ditch the rice and take a bag of tortilla chips with you to dip into your warming chilli.
10. Omelette
Omelettes are a great, healthy lunch, which you can still enjoy on the go. Make sure you pre-heat your flask beforehand, then add your cooked omelette, ready to enjoy later on.
5 of the best hot food flasks
Now you know what to pack for your lunch, what are the best hot food flasks on the market?
You want one that keeps food warm and leakproof, so it doesn’t make a horrible mess in your bag. Take a look at our pick of the best hot food flasks…
This 800ml vacuum insulated, double walled, stainless steel food flask keeps food hot for up to 10 hours. Plus, it comes in a range of colours – perfect for kids’ packed lunches.
Thermos has a number of food flasks on the market. This one looks great, holds up to 400ml and comes with a spoon.
Stanley has a range of hot food flasks on the market. This 532ml one keeps food hot for up to 15 hours and has a leakproof lid, which also doubles as a handy cup.
Perfect for work, school or travelling, this 400ml triple layer food container keeps contents hot for up to six hours. It comes in a range of colours and even has a handy spoon.
This 750ml double walled flask is BPA free and keeps contents warm for up to six hours. It also comes with its own foldable spoon.
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