How to Keep Donuts Fresh: Overnight, Refrigeration, & More (2024)

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1Keeping Donuts at Room Temperature

2Putting Donuts in the Refrigerator

3Freezing Unfrosted Donuts

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Co-authored bySporked

Last Updated: April 19, 2024

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Having leftover donuts doesn’t happen often, but when it does, you want to store them the right way so you have a fresh, delicious treat waiting for you another day (or maybe in a few hours). Since donuts contain butter, fat, and sugar, they can easily spoil or grow stale. Don’t worry though—we’ll show you a few different ways you can store donuts so they stay fresh. We’ve also included a couple of tricks you can use to reheat donuts if you want them to taste like they came straight from the bakery.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Keeping Donuts at Room Temperature

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  1. 1

    Place your donuts in storage bags or airtight containers. If you plan on eating your donuts within 1-2 days, you can just keep them at room temperature. Definitely put them in airtight bags or containers though so they stay fresh![1]

    • The only time this isn’t a good idea is when your donuts are cream-filled. In that case, you’ll want to store them in the fridge so they don’t spoil.[2]
  2. 2

    Seal the donuts in the storage bags or containers. Make sure those storage bags or containers are tightly sealed so you don’t find yourself biting into stale donuts.[3]

    • If you are using a storage bag, try to squeeze as much air from the bag as possible (without damaging the toppings on the donuts).[4]

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  3. 3

    Store the donuts in a cool, dry area. Freshly baked donuts will last longer if kept out of direct sunlight. Like air, sunlight is the enemy here—not only will it cause your donuts to become stale, it will also melt off any delicious, beautiful icing or glaze.

  4. 4

    Place the donuts in the microwave for 5 seconds to freshen them up. When you’re ready to enjoy one of your donuts, here’s a good trick: place the donut on a plate and microwave it for a few seconds. This will soften, warm, and put moisture back into the donut—yum![5]

    • Since your donuts are still at room temperature, be careful not to go crazy with the microwave. If you microwave them too much, any icing or glaze on the donuts will melt, and the donuts might actually become harder.[6]
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  1. 1

    Place your donuts in a storage bag or airtight container. Triple-check that the bag or container is properly sealed. Air will make your delicious donuts go bad faster![7]

  2. 2

    Put the packed donuts in the refrigerator. You can keep your donuts fresh in the fridge for up to 1 week.[8]

    • Be warned that any icing or glaze on your donuts might become runny the longer they’re in the fridge. This won’t affect the freshness, but try to eat donuts with icing or glaze sooner rather than later if you’re worried about the appearance.
  3. 3

    Freshen the chilled donuts by microwaving them at 15-second intervals. A quick pop in the microwave can add moisture back to the donuts and really revive them. Just keep in mind that if the donuts are glazed or topped with icing, it may slightly melt.[9]

    • Be careful if your donuts have jelly or cream inside since it will be hot![10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Freezing Unfrosted Donuts

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  1. 1

    Put your donuts in an airtight container and layer them with wax paper. The wax paper will keep your donuts from sticking together in the freezer. That way, if you just want one donut, you can easily pull them apart without having to defrost the whole container.[11]

    • Powdered and plain donuts will freeze the best. Glazes and icings tend to melt and become tacky when defrosted.[12]
  2. 2

    Put the container in a sealed, heavy-duty freezer bag. This step is important since it prevents pesky ice crystals from forming on the inside of the container or on the donuts themselves.[13]

  3. 3

    Store your donuts in the freezer. They should stay fresh there for 2-3 months. You can eat your donuts for a few weeks beyond that time, but they just won't be as fresh.[14]

  4. 4

    Leave the donuts uncovered on the counter for 15 minutes to defrost them. Make sure you don’t cover the donuts. Covering them will trap moisture and make them soggy, which nobody wants!

    How to Keep Donuts Fresh: Overnight, Refrigeration, & More (17)

    Chef Nettie Frank, Chef

    Donuts are the new thing. They never go out of style. Dress it up, make it savory, make it sweet. Elevate it, be innovative, be creative. These are fun little pastries that we want to pipe and decorate.

  5. 5

    Defrost the donuts by microwaving them at 15-second intervals. The microwave will finish defrosting the donuts and make them nice and moist again.[15]

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  • Question

    What if I want to store it in freezer but I do not have a microwave?

    How to Keep Donuts Fresh: Overnight, Refrigeration, & More (19)

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    You can put it in a 350-degree oven for 10 minutes to reheat.

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    How do I keep glazed donuts from melting while keeping them?

    You must cool them down before you put the glaze on.

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    Can I make my donuts this evening and eat them tomorrow afternoon?

    How to Keep Donuts Fresh: Overnight, Refrigeration, & More (21)

    Community Answer

    Of course you can. Make sure you refrigerate your donuts overnight. Donuts will stay fresh for about a week if stored properly.

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      Warnings

      • Regardless of how you store the donuts, always double-check that they haven’t spoiled before eating or serving them. If the donuts have an off-putting smell or appearance, throw them away.[16] Check the donuts for signs of mold. Mold can present itself in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. Typically look for green or black speckling or fuzzing.

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about storing food, check out our in-depth interview with Sporked.

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      About This Article

      How to Keep Donuts Fresh: Overnight, Refrigeration, & More (24)

      Co-authored by:

      Sporked

      Food Testing Experts

      This article was co-authored by Sporked. Sporked is a team of expert food writers and editors dedicated to finding the best food products for consumers through in-house taste tests. Their reviews and rankings cover all categories of food and drink, ensuring that their readers will find the right products for their needs. Sporked is a part of Mythical, along with popular YouTube channels Good Mythical Morning and Mythical Kitchen. This article has been viewed 207,724 times.

      3 votes - 67%

      Co-authors: 12

      Updated: April 19, 2024

      Views:207,724

      Categories: Donuts and Doughnuts

      Article SummaryX

      To keep your donuts fresh, place them in a storage bag or airtight container and keep them for 1-2 days. When you want to eat them, put your donuts in the microwave for 5 seconds to soften them. Alternatively, place your donuts in a storage bag or container and keep them in the refrigerator for about a week. If your donuts have a cream filling, always refrigerate them to keep the filling from spoiling . Once you take your donuts out of the fridge, microwave them for 15 seconds at a time until they’re softer. For more tips, including how to freeze your unfrosted donuts, read on!

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      How to Keep Donuts Fresh: Overnight, Refrigeration, & More (2024)

      FAQs

      How to Keep Donuts Fresh: Overnight, Refrigeration, & More? ›

      Place your donuts in storage bags or airtight containers.

      How do I keep donuts fresh overnight? ›

      For overnight storage, simply keeping the closed boxes of donuts in a cool spot (on your counter or in a cupboard) will work just fine. And remember, even if you know they are not straight from the bakery, no one else needs to be in on it.

      How to refresh day old donuts? ›

      Some sources recommend heating doughnuts on top of a damp paper towel for anywhere from 10 to 20 seconds, while others suggest heating on half power for 15.

      How to make Krispy Kreme donuts last longer? ›

      To maintain your Krispy Kreme doughnuts in optimum condition, we recommend that you store them in a temperature under 18 degrees and out of direct sunlight. To keep Krispy Kreme doughnuts at their freshest after their first day at home, you can freeze the doughnuts and reheat in the microwave.

      Does refrigerating donuts make them hard? ›

      However, refrigerating your donuts can cause them to become slightly harder and drier. To counteract this, wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing them in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. This will help retain their moisture and texture.

      Can you proof donuts overnight? ›

      Remove the dough from the bowl, oil the bowl, and put it back in. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Set the dough bowl in the fridge to rest and slowly ferment overnight, or for a few hours at least.

      How many hours do donuts stay fresh? ›

      The shelf life of a donut depends on several factors, such as the ingredients, preservatives, and storage conditions. Generally, a donut can last for 1-2 days at room temperature, 5-7 days in the refrigerator, and 2-3 months in the freezer.

      How do you reheat donuts overnight? ›

      I just like to put a paper towel in the microwave and put the donut on it and turn it on for about 7 or 8 seconds. If its not hot enough, try it again for 5 seconds. Too much time will ruin your donut.

      How do you make stale donuts better? ›

      Luckily, there is a way to resuscitate a day-old glazed donut that's lost a lot of moisture, and all you need is a frying pan and some salted butter. When sliced in half and gently fried with salted butter, the bottom side of a glazed donut takes on a brioche-like flavor and some extra crispness.

      What causes donuts to go stale? ›

      Any container that you would normally use for leftover foods should work just fine, so long as it limits air flow, as air exposure is what makes donuts stale.

      How do you keep Krispy Kreme donuts from going bad? ›

      Our tasty treats are made fresh daily so best eaten on day of purchase for optimum freshness. The ideal condition for storage of a Krispy Kreme doughnut is in the original packaging at room temperature. We do not recommend storing in the fridge, in plastic storage bags or boxes or near a heat source.

      What does Krispy Kreme do with their leftover donuts? ›

      It is understood the chain only sells food which is baked on the day and if the doughnuts are not sold within 24 hours, they have to be thrown away. Krispy Kreme said: 'We're proud that our doughnuts are made fresh daily.

      Can I keep Krispy Kreme donuts overnight? ›

      Our products have a shelf life of 24 hours, however you are able to freeze them for a later date. If you do choose to freeze the doughnuts, make sure you seal them in an airtight package.

      How do you keep donuts fresh while traveling? ›

      But donuts will not keep well in their box. Instead, you will need to place the donuts inside an airtight, resealable container to protect them from exposure to air. Some may choose to wrap donuts in cling wrap, but an airtight container or bag should be enough to keep the donuts moist with a light and airy texture.

      Will Krispy Kreme donuts keep overnight? ›

      Our products have a shelf life of 24 hours, however you are able to freeze them for a later date. If you do choose to freeze the doughnuts, make sure you seal them in an airtight package.

      Can you eat fresh donuts the next day? ›

      An airtight container is recommended to keep the donuts fresh for up to two days. Wrapping them with foil or plastic wrap can also be effective, but ensure that they are completely sealed off from air exposure to prevent drying out.

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