There are few things as satisfying as biting into a freshly baked donut. Donuts offer the kind of warmth and comfort that nothing can come close to, especially when you eat them right out of the baker’s case, but that’s not always an option. Maybe you bought more than you can eat, or maybe you’re planning an event and need to get them a few days ahead of time. Whatever the reason, sometimes it’s just not possible to eat your donuts the same day you buy them.
The problem with eating donuts a few days — or even a day — later is that they quickly lose their flavor (and their appeal) because they go stale. Of course, it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy that “fresh donut” taste even if you do not eat them fresh out of the bakery.
We’ve rounded up the best tips on how to store donuts so you can enjoy the scrumptious snack like it just came from the oven for days — or even weeks.
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First Method: Store The Donuts At Room Temperature
First off, let’s take a look at how to store donuts at room temperature.
Many times you buy your donuts a day or two before an important event because you won’t have the time that day. Luckily, your freshly baked donuts can be left at room temperature for a couple of days, but only if you’re careful about how you store them.
Here are some tips on storing your donuts at room temperature without letting them go stale:
- Place the donuts in airtight containers. This helps keep from going bad or even going stale for at least 24 to 48 hours.
- You can even seal the donuts inside storage bags. Airtight storage bags are great for storing donuts and retaining their freshness for a couple of days at room temperature.
- If you do not want to use plastic bags, you can place a baking sheet on a plate, place the donuts on top and then cover them with a plastic wrap or an aluminum foil.
- Store the donuts in a cool and dry area. Fresh donuts are always going to last longer if they’re kept out away from any direct sunlight. Sunlight can make your donuts go stale and melt the glaze or icing, creating a big mess.
Some important things to remember when storing your donuts at room temperature:
- If your donuts are filled with cream, forget about storing them at room temperature. Cream spoils easily, so it needs to go in the refrigerator.
- If you are using an airtight storage bag to keep your donuts, squeeze out as much air as you can out of the bag. Of course, you do need to be careful so that you do not damage the topping on the donut while you are at it.
- Storing donuts in plastic bags can make them soggy if you keep them in too long. It’s better to use aluminum foil for storage if you’re planning on storing them for a couple of days.
How to Eat Room Temperature Donuts Like They’re Fresh From The Bakery
Want to enjoy your room temperature donuts like they literally just came from the bakery? It’s a lot easier than you think. In fact, it is almost too easy. All you need to do is take them out of the storage container and pop them into the microwave for five seconds. The donut will be soft, warm and perfectly moist.
Just a word of advice: When you store the donuts at room temperature, you should never microwave them too much. If you stick them into the microwave for too long, the icing or the glaze will melt and donut can actually get hard. If you must heat them for longer, heat them in five-second intervals until you get them to the perfect temperature.
Second Method: Store The Donuts In Your Refrigerator
You’ll need to use your refrigerator if you have cream-filled donuts, or if you want to store them for more than a few days. Here are some tips on how to store your donuts in the refrigerator:
- Cover up the donuts in plastic before placing them in the refrigerator. Typically, you can place the donuts on a plate and then cover with a plastic cling wrap. If your donuts are still in the box that they came in, that’s even better. Tightly wrap the whole box with a plastic cling wrap and put in the fridge.
Donuts are edible for one to two days when you store them at room temperature. When you store them in the refrigerator, they can last for up to seven days before they start to lose their freshness. Of course, it is good to point out that you get the best out of your donuts within two to three days after you keep them in the refrigerator. 
Some important things to remember when you are storing donuts in the refrigerator:
- You can always use aluminum foil if you do not have a plastic cling film at home.
- You can even use airtight plastic pastry boxes when storing your donuts in a refrigerator.
- Don’t use plastic bags when storing your delicious snacks in the fridge. It can trap moisture inside, turning your donuts into a soggy mess.
- If you keep the donuts in the refrigerator without covering them up, they will dry out and lose their freshness.
How to Eat Refrigerated Donuts Like They’re Fresh Out Of The Bakery
You can make refrigerated donuts taste just as delicious as fresh ones, but it does take a little more work than when you store them at room temperature. Simply remove any plastic wrap and then heat the donuts in a microwave for 10-second intervals. Make sure you feel the donut after every 10 seconds. If it is too cold, heat it again, but make sure that you do notoverheat them.
Third Method: Freeze The Donuts
Sometimes you need to store your donuts for longer because you know you won’t be buying them for a few months. While we hope you never have to, it is always better to be prepared if the time ever comes. You never know when hard times are going to come your way — and you should always have enough amount of donuts on hand to help make you remember that everything in the world will be alright again.
Here are some important tips on how to store your donuts in a freezer for the long run:
- Line a baking sheet with your everyday kitchen variety wax paper and then place the donuts side-by-side on the baking sheet and freeze for at least four hours.
- Once they are properly frozen in the freezer, take the donuts out and transfer them into an airtight storage container. Seal the container and stick it back into the freezer.
- You can store your donuts like this for up to three months. While they will remain okay for consumption longer, we recommend eating them within three months after storing them in the freezer.
Some important things to remember when you are storing your donuts in the freezer:
- Freezing works best with unglazed donuts or cake donuts without icing. This is not to say you cannot freeze donuts with icing, but just know that the icing will melt when you reheat the donuts later on.
- You can also use Ziploc bags, Tupperware or any other airtight container to freeze donuts
How to Eat Frozen Donuts Like They’re Fresh Out Of The Bakery
Okay, when they have been in the freezer for so long, thinking that you will be able to eat them like they’re fresh out of the bakery might be pushing it. They can still be just as delicious, as long as you properly defrost them.
Let the donuts sit at room temperature on a baking sheet for at least an hour. You can even leave them overnight to defrost. Once your donuts have defrosted, microwave them at 10-second intervals. Do this only after they have properly thawed. Keep touching them after every 10-second interval and have at it when they are warm enough to eat.
