Woo hoo, you've got company coming over! Whether it's a fancy sit-down holiday meal or a more casual Super Bowl party, you want to make sure your guests are greeted with tasty treats whether you make them just as they arrive or prep in advance with make-ahead appetizers.
Either way, you'll want to know how to keep dishes hot so they taste as good as they should throughout most if not all of the party. Because, let's be honest, there's nothing worse than cold queso dip (or any cheese dip for that matter). And you don't want to miss those epic Super Bowl commercials by constantly having to reheat!
So what to do? First, don't overwhelm yourself. When creating a menu, make sure you've got a balance of foods that can be served cold or at room temperature, too. That way, you're not fretting over every single dish. Then try these easy ways to keep food warm for the recipes you do want to serve hot. You're sure to have at least one or two of these on hand already!
Aluminum Foil
If it is a short-term solution you seek, aluminum foil is the way to go. Because aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat, covering your freshly-baked casserole with a layer of foil will help trap some of the steam and seal it in to keep whatever it is warmer for longer. (Bonus: If you're roasting meat, foil will also help retain its moisture while it rests before carving.) It will start to lose its magical powers for heating after about a half hour or so.
Slow Cooker, Instant Pot or Air Fryer
Use the power of your favorite go-to kitchen appliances! Practically every Instant Pot-type pressure cooker or air fryer these days is actually a multi-cooker, meaning there will be a "warm" preset button for you to press. And let's be honest, there's a reason there's so many Super Bowl slow cooker recipes. They not only make prep a cinch but also have a built-in "keep warm" function that will hold the temperature for you for hours on end, requiring little more than an occasional stir.
Oven or Toaster Oven
Many newer ovens and toaster ovens will have a "warm" setting that you can use or a warming drawer on some larger models. And if they don't, you can simply turn the dial to 200 degrees. That should keep your food in the safe zone which is above 140 degrees. Just make sure that your food is in an oven-safe vessel like a baking dish. Also, keep in mind that eventually the texture of what you're serving may change. Crispy food might become a little soggy since it's essentially getting a prolonged steam bath.
Cooler
Based simply on its name, using a cooler seems counterintuitive. But, it's not! Insulated coolers (or insulated bags) work much like insulated tumblers and travel mugs: They keep cold things cold but also keep warm things warm. Make sure whatever you're putting in there is covered with a lid or aluminum foil and simply place in the cooler without ice. Just check on it occasionally to make sure the temperature stays over 140 degrees.
Chafing Dishes
If you really want to get fancy, or if you happen to entertain a lot, do what the professional caterers do and grab some chafing dishes. While you can invest in pricier reusable models and just replace the fuel, you can also buy fairly inexpensive disposable options that will keep food warm for up to six hours.
