Almost everyone loves this sugary treat. A spoiled donut, however, is not ideal for anyone.
Maybe you’ve been holding onto your donut for longer than usual, and you’re wondering: Do donuts go bad? How long do they last?
Here’s the verdict: although it isn’t an exact science, plain, powdered donuts generally last up to 2 days at room temperature or up to a week in the fridge.
On the other hand, cream-filled donuts last 3-5 days in the fridge.
Signs That Donuts Have Gone Bad
Here are the usual signs which indicate that your donuts have spoiled.
If there’s any white, gray, or fuzzy mold on the surface of your donut, it’s best to get rid of it.
When the usual sweet aroma of your donut goes off, it is time to discard it. A bad-tasting donut is just not worth the trouble, and you may want to toss it out as the quality has decreased.
Although no one enjoys an old and stale donut, it has not technically gone bad. But what’s the point of keeping it if you don’t want it anymore?
Storing Donuts
Similar to bread, when donuts are exposed to fresh air, they tend to dry out quickly. To make sure this doesn’t happen, store your donuts in an airtight container, whether in the fridge or pantry.
If your donuts have cream fillings, dairy toppings, or frosting, store them in the fridge to keep them fresher for longer. Otherwise, storing them at room temperature is okay. But you can definitely store plain, powdered, glazed, or topped donuts in the fridge to retain freshness.
What about freezing donuts to keep them fresher for longer? Well, that depends on the type of donuts you have.
Donuts with no toppings and donuts covered with sugar can be frozen without any problems. Remember to wrap them firmly using a box, freezer bag, or foil.
The only issue with glazed and topped donuts is that the toppings may melt once unfrozen. This affects the quality of your donuts.
Finally, with cream-filled donuts, you should rather opt out of freezing them because the cream doesn’t freeze well. The cream filling may go bad while in the freezer. So try to consume these donuts as soon as you can.
How Long Do Donuts Last?
In the case of your donuts, it’s quite difficult to say when they will go bad. For that reason, always inspect your donut for any signs of spoilage.
As an estimate, cream-filled donuts last 3-5 days in the fridge. In comparison, donuts without cream fillings can last two days at room temperature or up to a week in the fridge.
In Conclusion
The treat that was once named the “Hit Food of the Century” in 1933 should probably be enjoyed quickly, as they are not one of the longer-lasting foods.
Storing donuts in airtight containers to prevent excess air from drying them out will help to keep the donuts fresher for longer. Another tip is to refrigerate them.
Make sure to inspect your donuts for any indications that they might not be fresh, since the time frame for their freshness is just an approximation.
