You can’t go wrong with a freshly made doughnut, whether it’s hot from the fryer or still warm with a glaze. However, sometimes it’s necessary to plan ahead and purchase a box of doughnuts the day before an event, so they’re ready for guests (or perhaps just for yourself) to enjoy early in the morning. Or maybe you’ve ended up with a box of leftover doughnuts from the office.
Don’t Refrigerate or Freeze Doughnuts
Storing doughnuts to keep them fresh is quite simple. You don’t need to clear space in your fridge. In fact, Jen Greif, a pastry chef at Dough in Tampa, Florida, advises against it. Unlike bread or croissants, which are best frozen when not consumed within a day or two, doughnuts shouldn’t be frozen. “While freezing is possible, I wouldn’t recommend it since the icing tends to melt and become sticky,” Greif explains. “They just won’t taste as fresh!”
Storing a Few Doughnuts
“To preserve doughnuts overnight, wrap them in a napkin and place them in a paper bag,” writes Greif.
Storing a Box of Doughnuts
If you’ve picked up a few dozen doughnuts for an early meeting or a Sunday treat, wrapping each in a napkin isn’t feasible. For overnight storage, simply keeping the closed boxes in a cool place — like on your counter or in a cupboard — should do the trick.
Remember, even if you know they’re not freshly baked, others won’t be able to tell. It’s rare for a group to not eagerly dig into a pristine box of doughnuts.
How to Revive Stale Doughnuts
If your doughnuts have gone stale, the best way to rejuvenate them is to use the microwave. Greif suggests microwaving them for 15-second bursts. (Keep in mind that doughnuts with jelly filling will have very hot centers, and any glaze or frosting might melt.)
If a microwave isn’t available, or if you prefer to embrace the stale nature of your doughnuts, you can always repurpose them into a doughnut twist on French toast casserole. However, by storing them properly, you can extend their freshness — at least until you can grab a new batch.
