Donuts are surgery treats that can be enjoyed day or night, all year round. Most people prefer their donuts in the morning, but they can be a great late-night snack as well. Have you ever opened a fresh box of donuts and asked, how long do they last.

Quick Answer

Donuts do not have a long shelf life and will keep about five days in their original packaging. Kept in the pantry, donuts can last for 3-5 days. In the fridge, donuts will stay fresh for about 5 days. Freezing donuts is best for long-term storage, and they can stay good in the freezer for 2 weeks.

How Do Donuts Go Bad/How Long Do They Last?

Donuts can go bad. They can grow, old and turn stale. If you notice discolored spots on your donuts do not eat. Donuts are stale if they are no longer soft and feel hard to the touch. Here are some things to remember about the longevity of donuts.

Keep a lid on Store donuts in an airtight container that has a lid. Air is hazardous to the quality of donuts because it causes them to dry out faster. Stale donuts are hard and have a bland taste. Although eating a donut that has dried out will not harm you, as long as it has not molded, it will not taste well. Covering the donuts will keep air out and moisture in. This will retain freshness. It is best to use a lid to seal in the donuts, however, if no lid is available, aluminum foil or saran wrap will work.

Keep away from excess moisture:  Liquids are bad for donuts because it turns them soggy. Soggy donuts tend to disintegrate when handled. They also lose flavor and texture. Excess moisture can also cause mold to grow. Mold can make you ill and cause an upset stomach. To keep donuts fresh longer store in a dry location such as a countertop or cabinet.

Keep away from excess heat:  It is okay to warm donuts for a few seconds in the microwave or stove, however too much heat is bad for your treat. Leaving donuts in a hot location, such as a hot car, will cause your donut to lose form and melt. This is especially true if your donuts come with icing or toppings. Store donuts at room temperature.

Expiration Date: Check the expiration date on the package to see when the donuts expire. If there is no expiration date, this is usually the case with donuts purchased from a bakery or stand, ask the clerk when the donuts were made. Donuts are good for about three to five days after they are made. Donuts that have gone past their expiration date are not safe to eat. They may be stale or have developed mold. If the expiration date has passed, discard it.

Frozen donuts last longer:  Donuts kept in the freezer can be consumed no more than two weeks after the date they were frozen. Freezing donuts slows down the growth rate of bacteria.  This is the best method to use if trying to get donuts to last a long time.

How Long Does Donuts Last Outside?

Donuts can be stored outside depending on the location. Proper storage of donuts can help them to last outside. There are, however, some hazards to watch out for.

Do not store in extreme heat:  Extreme heat will cause your donuts to melt; especially if they have icing. Direct sunlight and heat will make your donuts gooey instead of firm. Do not keep donuts in a hot car, trunk, or outside on a hot day. Instead, keep them in a cool location such as the fridge.

Do not get wet: Water is harmful to donuts. Donuts fall apart or turn soggy when we.t Keep out of the rain when storing donuts outside. If donuts are exposed to rain, move to a dry location immediately. If donuts have turned soggy discard them. Soggy donuts are flavorless and do not taste well.

Do not leave in the open air:  Air will cause donuts to dry out. Stale donuts are hard and taste bland. If donuts are stale do not eat.

How Long Des Donuts Last in the Fridge?

Storing donuts in the fridge will help them stay fresh longer than storing them at room temperature. Donuts kept in the fridge for up to five days, will be firm but not stale. Donuts should not be hard. Here are some things to remember when storing your donuts in the fridge.

Check expiration date:  Refrigerating donuts will not stop them from eventually growing mold and turning bad. Mold can cause stomach problems and illness. If donuts are past their due date, do not eat. Mold can grow on expired donuts and cause illness.

Store in an airtight container: Donuts will dry out quickly if left out in the open in the fridge for too long. The cold air will cause the donuts to turn hard in a matter of hours. The advantage of refrigerating donuts is that it slows bacteria growth, however, if left in the open the cold will accelerate the hardening process. Hard donuts taste bad and have little flavor.

How Long Does Donuts Last in the Freezer?

Donuts can last up to two weeks in the freezer. This is the most effective way for storing donuts. Here are a few suggestions to keep your donuts fresh while frozen.

Place in a zip lock freezer bag:  Storing donuts in a zip lock freezer bag is the best way to prevent freezer burn. It also stops odors from other foods from absorbing into the donuts. This will affect the taste of the donut. Remember to date the freezer bag and discard it after two weeks.

Use Wax Paper: Use wax paper to line the freezer bag. This will make removing the frozen donuts from the freezer bag easy. Place once piece of way paper in the freezer bag and cover with donuts. Once the donut bag is full, use another piece of wax paper to cover the donuts. This creates a sort of sandwich, with the wax paper on the outside and the donuts in the middle.

How to Tell if Donuts are bad/How to Know if They are Fresh?

Figuring out if donuts are safe to eat is simple. Check donuts for signs of spoilage and check the expiration date. Here’s how to tell if your donuts have gone bad?

The expiration date has passed:  If donuts are past their due date chances are they are no longer safe to eat. Expired donuts can be stale or spoiled even though they look fine. If donuts have expired do not eat.

Mold:  Spots on the donuts are not a good sign. Mold can cause you to have an upset stomach. Even a little mold is bad. If mold is present do not eat. Discard immediately.

Texture:  Fresh donuts should be soft. If donuts are hard or crunchy they are stale. Stale donuts can be consumed, as long as they are not past their expiration date, however, the quality of the donuts is compromised. Stale donuts will not taste the same as fresh ones.

Soggy:  Donuts should be soft and moist, but not soggy or flimsy. If exposed to too much moisture they will disintegrate. Donuts should not lose their form when picked up. If they begin to crumble or fall apart, do not eat.

How to Store Donuts?

Donuts can be stored in several different ways. Although donuts should not be kept past their due date, here are a few ways to make your donuts last longer.

Store in an airtight container:  Air is the worst thing that can happen to a donut. Stale donuts are the result of too much air. keeping donuts in a bag or cardboard box is a bad idea because too much air can get in. Even though donuts may not be past their due dates, dried-out donuts are ruined and do not taste very good. An airtight container will help donuts stay fresh longer.

Store in a cool location: Store donuts at room temperature or below. Heat can cause the donuts to melt. If storing donuts in a plastic bag, heat may also cause dew to form. Dew will help mold to grow. Store donuts in a cabinet or a countertop.

Store in a dry location: Too much moisture is bad for donuts. The wetness can cause the donuts to crumble and lose their firmness. Also, moisture is bad for icing. Moisture will cause the icing to feel slimy and watery.

How to Freeze Donuts?

Donuts can be frozen and consumed later. It is not a good idea to eat donuts that have been frozen for longer than two weeks. Here are some things to watch out for when freezing donuts.

Freezer burns: freezer burn spots on the surface of the food. This is caused by not wrapping food in airtight containers. Donuts that have greyish spots on them should not be eaten. Freezer burn can cause you to become ill. Donuts that are affected by freezer burn will not taste good.

Expired Donuts: Expired donuts are not safe to eat, even If they are frozen. Frozen donuts should not be consumed even if they are frozen. Also if donuts have been frozen longer than two weeks, discard them.

Ice: Ice crystals can form on donuts if they are not wrapped properly when placed in the freezer. Ice is bad for donuts and will cause them to turn soggy when thawed. If ice is present on the donuts do not eat. Also, ice is an indicator of freezer burn. The best way to prevent ice from forming on donuts is to place the donut in an air-tight freezer bag.

How to Thaw Donuts?

Donuts can be thawed and consumed without worry. There are several ways to thaw your donuts. Donuts can be defrosted in the microwave for three minutes to speed thawing time. Check microwaved donuts often. If donuts are still frozen, continue to defrost in the microwave and check every thirty seconds. Donuts can also be thawed in the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Once the oven is hot, place frozen donuts on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven. Check after ten minutes to see if frozen.

Letting the donuts thaw at room temperature is the traditional way of thawing donuts. Place frozen donuts on the countertop and keep covered. Allow donuts to thaw at room temperature for a few hours. Check donuts after three hours. If donuts are still frozen, allow them to thaw at room temperature until ready.

Frequently Asked Questions About Donuts.

Can donuts be eaten after their expiration date?  No, it is not recommended to eat expired donuts because they can grow mold or become stale. Stale donuts do not have as much flavor as fresh ones. Also, mold can cause adverse side-effects such as an upset stomach or worse. If donuts are past their due date do not eat.

Can I leave my donuts in my car?  The answer is maybe. On a hot day, the car is the worst place to keep donuts because the heat will cause them to melt and lose form. Also, donuts that have been glazed or decorated with toppings are at risk of becoming slippery and sticky. If the weather is cold, however, leaving them in your car is okay. Make sure they are in an airtight container so they do not dry out.

Does freezing my donuts make them last longer?  Yes, freezing your donuts will make them last longer. The freezing process slows the growth of mold. This helps to keep the donuts fresh longer. Make sure the donuts are stored in an air tight container or freezer bag so they do not develop ice or freezer burn. It is not safe to eat food that has freezer burn. Donuts containing ice run the risk of becoming soggy.

Wrap up

Donuts are a great snack and can satisfy any appetite. If you enjoyed reading about donuts leave a comment below. Feel free to share any tips on donuts.