Get ready for "thaw and eat" foods

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

From frozen sandwiches that don't need to be nuked to pies and waffles that go from freezer to plate, food manufacturers are racing to introduce products in the nascent "thaw and eat" category.

Why it matters: Americans have gotten used to eating more meals at home during the pandemic. Now that schools and offices are beckoning people back, they're seeking easier-than-ever options.

Details: Frozen "thaw and eat" or "thaw and serve" products can be ready to eat in two hours or less — no microwave required.

Driving the news: J.M. Smucker Co. just introduced a new line of Uncrustables frozen sandwiches filled with meat and cheese instead of PB&J — on the heels of Nestlé rolling out Deliwich, a line of soft-crust Hot Pockets that don't require heating.

Of note: Kraft Heinz debuted its take on this product — Launch Box sandwiches — in 2019.

Thaw-and-serve frozen pies (from Marie Callender's and Edwards and others) are also available.

What they're saying: Thaw-and-eat is "a territory that, while it's existed, it may not have had as many offerings that were targeted towards the consumer," Nestlé USA Chief Strategy Officer Melissa Cash tells Axios.

The big picture: Frozen foods underwent a renaissance during the pandemic as consumers hunkered down — and the sales bump seems to be continuing.

Fun fact: Smucker's produces nearly 4 million Uncrustables per day, and says demand for the tasty rounds, which debuted in 2000, is "unprecedented."

The bottom line: While Uncrustables specifically recommends against putting its sandwiches in the microwave (or toaster or air fryer), some thaw-and-eat products could probably benefit from a dose of heat.