Warm, freshly made donuts are a great snack, but you can't always eat them straight from the bakery. Or sometimes, you buy more than you can eat right away, or have to pre-order and buy a donut or two a few days before a certain event. Because they contain butter, fat, and sugar, donuts can go stale or musty easily. However, if stored properly at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer, you can eat delicious donuts within days or weeks of buying them.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Storing Donuts at Room Temperature
Step 1. Place the donuts in a storage bag or airtight container
Freshly baked donuts can be left at room temperature for 1-2 days.
Donuts filled with cream should be stored in the refrigerator to prevent the cream from spoiling
Step 2. Tightly seal the donuts in the bag or container
The storage bag or container must be tightly closed, otherwise the donuts will go stale.
If you're using a storage bag, remove as much of the air as possible without damaging the donut topping
Step 3. Store the donuts in a cool and dry place
Freshly baked donuts will last longer if kept out of direct sunlight. The sun will make the donuts stale and melt the icing or glaze on top.
Step 4. Put the donuts in the microwave for 5 seconds to make them soft again
When you're about to eat one of these, place the donuts on a plate and place them in the microwave for a few seconds. This will soften, warm, and restore moisture to the donut.
Since the donuts are still at room temperature, don't overheat them. The icing or glaze on the donuts may melt and the donuts will even harden if they are heated in the microwave for too long
Method 2 of 3: Storing Donuts in the Fridge
Step 1. Place the donuts in a storage bag or airtight container
Make sure the bag or container where the donut is stored is tightly closed. The air left in it can cause the donuts to go stale faster.
Step 2. Put the donuts in the fridge
Freshly baked donuts can last up to a week in the refrigerator before they go stale.
Storing sugar-coated or glazed donuts in the refrigerator will allow the icing to melt and the glaze to soak into the donuts. So, if this will make your appetite go away, eat the sugar-coated and glazed donuts first, and store the other types in the refrigerator
Step 3. Soften the chilled donuts by placing them in the microwave at 15 second intervals
The microwave will help restore moisture to the donuts and make them delicious again. If the donuts are glazed or icing, they will likely melt a little.
Be careful if the donuts have jelly or cream in them because they will be hot
Method 3 of 3: Freezing Donuts
Step 1. Place the donuts in an airtight container and cover them with wax paper
The wax paper will prevent the donuts from freezing together. So, if you only want to take one, you can easily separate it without needing to warm the entire container.
Powdered donuts and plain donuts are best for freezing. Glazed and sugar-coated donuts tend to melt and become sticky when warmed
Step 2. Place the container in a special durable freezer bag
This bag will help prevent ice from forming on the inside of the container or on the donuts.
Step 3. Store the donuts in the freezer
If stored properly, donuts will stay good for 2-3 months. Donuts are safe to eat for a few weeks before that deadline, but they won't be as delicious as they used to be.
Step 4. Leave the donuts on the table uncovered for 15 minutes to soften to normal temperature
Do not cover the donuts during this process. Covering it will only trap moisture and make the donuts squishy.
Step 5. Soften the donuts by placing them in the microwave at 15 second intervals
The microwave will soften the donuts and restore moisture.
