The Best Ways To Keep Donuts Fresh
If you're someone who can't resist the temptation of warm, fresh donuts, then you likely know how easy it can be to buy too many. There's something about the smell of the newly-poured glaze and the yeasted goodness of hot donuts that can convince anyone to buy a dozen when all they wanted was one or two. And if you have found yourself with donuts to spare, you probably wanted to make sure they would taste just as good several days after buying them. But if you don't give donuts the proper care they need to hold up over a few days, you'll end up with disappointing results.
To keep your donuts in their best condition, you need to consider several things. First of all, donuts will keep fresh when they are stored well, which can be done in several different ways. But to choose the best method, you need to know how long the donuts will need to be stored. Whether you want your leftover donuts tomorrow or in a few weeks, there's a way to keep them good as new. And even if they do get a little hard, you can always pop them in the microwave for a few seconds to revive them, according to Southern Living.
Room temperature
If you plan on eating your donuts within a relatively short time frame after buying them, then you can likely leave them at room temperature. The only exception to this method are donuts that have a cream filling and those you want to store for longer than a day or two, according to Home Stratosphere. Otherwise, storing your donuts carefully at room temperature is an excellent option.
To do so, you simply need to place donuts that have completely cooled into an airtight container such as a resealable box or plastic bag, according to Southern Living. You could even use something like cling wrap or foil as long as you wrap the donuts well. Once the donuts are sealed off from exposure to air that could dry them out, place them out of the way on your counter but out of direct sunlight, too. You don't want the donuts to get warm inside the containers and sweat.
Fridge
If you need to keep donuts fresh for more than a day or two, the fridge is another great option. It's also perfect for donuts with cream fillings that you want to store for the short term. Using this method, your donuts should be good for up to one week after buying them, and it's just as easy as storing them at room temperature.
According to Home Statosphere, you can store donuts in the fridge with cling wrap on a dish or plate. However, you can also use a resealable container like you would if you were storing your donuts at room temperature. Once again, the goal is to keep air out so the donuts do not get too dry. But just as you would for donuts stored on the countertop, you will want to reheat donuts stored in the fridge in the microwave for a few seconds. Not only will it warm the donuts back up, but it will also give them the delicious texture love.
Freezer
Donuts that you don't plan to eat within a week of buying should be stored in the freezer for the best results. When placed there, donuts can keep for up to three months, according to Southern Living. While slightly more involved, the preparation for freezing donuts is still fairly easy.
While you can simply wrap or place donuts in an airtight container for room temperature or fridge storage, you should do both before placing them in the freezer. Baking Kneads suggests wrapping donuts individually before placing them in an airtight container in the freezer. If you use a bag, you should also press as much of the air out as possible.
Otherwise, you can place donuts on a baking sheet and freeze them before simply placing them in a sealable box or bag in the freezer. Just remember to let the donuts thaw well before reheating when they come out of the freezer.