As far as I know, donuts are the soul food liked by one and all! So you might order more than you can finish in one go.
This often leads to wastage of food, so the natural instinct is to pack the leftovers like and take them back to your house.
But, do donuts go bad if they have a dairy based filling?
Yes, donuts can go bad. Storing them away from direct sunlight will keep them fresh for 5-6 days. But if the donuts have dairy-based fillings, they can go bad in 2-4 days.
Donuts are THE MOST DELICIOUS goodies that make up for a killer dessert. Thus, it is crucial to know the correct way to store them. Let us dive into the article to learn all there is to know about donuts!
Do Donuts Go Bad?
Yes. As sad as it is, even the yummiest donuts can go stale. Within days, donuts begin to form mold and turn stagnant. The shelf-life of donuts varies with the ingredients that are used. However, every donut goes bad if stored inadequately.
Compared to other bread, donuts go bad faster because there are no added preservatives. The absence of preservatives makes them susceptible to spoilage. Spoiled donuts develop a chewy crust, making them taste awful.
Shelf-life Of Donuts – How Long They Last?
Regular donuts (plain, topped, glazed, or powdered) last for a few days at room temperature. Refrigerating them will make them last for 6-8 days. However, donuts filled with creams are more delicate and must be refrigerated, where they stay fresh for 2-4 days.
Before storing the donuts in the fridge or pantry, ensure they are well-wrapped. Wrapping them prevents them from absorbing moisture and scent from the surrounding. It also protects the donuts from getting contaminated by microbes, ensuring they last longer.
Ready-to-eat donuts come with a label that indicates their shelf-life. If your donuts have passed the date, they have probably gone bad.
Here’s a look at how most of the labels might read.
| Donuts | In The Fridge | In Pantry or Kitchen Top |
| Donuts (Regular) | Seven to Eight days | One to Three days |
| Donuts With Cream Filling | Four to Five days |
Also Read: Does Maple Syrup Go Bad?
Quick and Easy Tips To Store Donuts
Donuts go bad quickly because they are made up of perishable ingredients. And not to forget they don’t contain preservatives! So, how do you store donuts for longer? Here are 4 tips for storing donuts for a long time.
1. Don’t Leave Donuts For Prolonged Periods
Leaving the donuts on the kitchen top will make them go bad faster. So, refrigerate the doughnuts unless you intend to consume them in a day or two. Store the donuts in a sealed container when storing them at room temperature. Sealing them properly will stop them from parching.
Are you using storage bags to store the donuts? Squeeze out extra air from the storage bag to keep them fresh for longer.
2. Store The Donuts In A Dry And Cool Spot
Do you store donuts on the kitchen top or pantry? If yes, choose an area away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Leaving donuts near warm areas will melt the topping or the glaze. It will also make them go bad and stale faster.
3. Refrigerate The Cream-Filled Donuts To Keep Them Fresh
When stored at room temperature, donuts (regular) can last a couple of days. However, filled donuts are more delicate and need to be refrigerated. It is because filled donuts contain dairy products and tend to spoil quickly. Thus, refrigerate leftover donuts (cream-filled) in an airtight jar to enjoy them later.
4. Avoid storing donuts near foods with strong scents
The bread used to make donuts absorbs scents and tastes from nearby food items. Thus, you must store them separately from food items with strong odors. Seal the donuts with a wrap to minimize the absorption of smells.
Can You Freeze Donuts?
Yes. Freezing donuts is the way to go if you want them to last for a month or more. However, freezing depends on the type of donuts you want to freeze. Plain/powdered donuts are easy to freeze and thaw. This is because they have no topping, and the texture does not alter.
Glazed or topped donuts, on the other hand, freeze nicely. However, when defrosting them, they undergo a texture change. The toppings on the topped donuts melt away, leaving a mess behind.
The process of freezing the donuts is quite simple. Place the donuts in an airtight container. You can also use freezer bags to freeze them. Place the bag in the freezer, away from food items with a strong odor.
To thaw the donuts, leave them at room temperature for 25-30 minutes. Uncover the donuts while they defrost. This will make room for the moisture to evaporate, preventing donuts from getting soggy.
The Risk Of Consuming Bad Donuts
Bad donuts taste horrible, so it is highly unlikely to consume them. Yet, consuming donuts with mild spoilage won’t cause any harmful side effects. Yet, if you eat donuts with mold, you can get sick and experience digestive disorders. In serious cases, you might even get food poisoning and a donut belly. A few common food poisoning symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramps
If the symptoms last 2 days or more, visit a doctor immediately.
4 Signs To Tell If Donuts Have Gone Bad
Donuts can display an array of noticeable signs of spoilage. Some of the signs include:
1. Mold
Donuts are made of rich organic compounds, making them susceptible to mold. Mold also appears when the donuts are exposed to moisture. Donuts become a breeding ground for molds if the container is not closed properly. Sugar and carbs, being perishable ingredients, stimulate the breeding of molds. Thus, If you see gray/white/green spots on the donuts, toss them out.
2. Horrible, horrible taste
Fresh donuts will satiate your taste buds with their sweetness, leaving you craving more. So, if your donuts taste sour or the sweet taste is missing, discard them.
3. Bad Smell
Donuts gives off a cozy, sweet, and warm aroma. A smell that will remind you of your favorite holiday! So, if the donuts smell sour or off, the quality has degraded. Get rid of the stale ones and buy freshly baked donuts.
4. Prolonged Storage
Donuts (without filling) stay fresh for a week when refrigerated. They can also last for 1-2 days at room temperature. So, if your donuts have exceeded the period, throw them away.
Also Read: How Long Do Strawberries Last in the Fridge?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why don’t donuts last long?
Ans. Donuts dont last for a long time because they contain lots of moisture. Although the moisture helps keep them soft, it can make them stale if not stored properly. The more moisture your donuts have, the faster molds can grow and spoil the donut.
Q2. Is it OK to eat 2-day-old donuts?
Ans. Donuts must be refrigerated if you want to consume them after a day or two. Cream-filled donuts will go bad in a day or 2 at room temperature. Which means you can not consume them. Refrigerating them can keep them fresh and edible even after 2 days.
Q3. How long after the expiration date can I eat donuts?
Ans. Donuts must be consumed before or (max to max) 1 day after the expiration date. However, donuts will go stale and become hard and chewy if left for any longer.
Q4. Do donuts expire in the fridge?
Ans. If you refrigerate donuts for more than a week, they will expire and go bad. Furthermore, freshly baked donuts (without cream filling) will last 3-5 days in the fridge. Cream-filled donuts must always be refrigerated and consumed within 2-4 days.
Q5. How do you refresh 2 day-old donuts?
Ans. Microwave your donuts for 10-15 seconds if they are stale and chewy. This will soften them and make them as fresh as new.
The Bottom Line
To conclude the article, let us review some important points. Donuts don’t have an extended shelf-life; thus, it is wise to refrigerate them. This will make them stay fresh for a week or two. You can also freeze them to make them last for a month or two. Have stale donuts? Discard them. Immediately. Consumed stale or moldy donuts? Visit the doctor if the symptoms last more than 2-3 days.
