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

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Co-authored bySporked

Last Updated: February 21, 2024

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   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]
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   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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   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.

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   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]

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   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.
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   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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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]
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   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]

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   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]

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   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!

   

   Chef Nettie Frank, Celebrity 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.

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   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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