How long doughnuts and pastries last, and where to keep them
Quick answer
-
Room temperature
Keeps for 1-2 days
Keep doughnuts in the pantry and eat them within 1 to 2 days of buying them.
Watch out Throw out moldy doughnuts, because porous baked goods can be contaminated below the surface.
-
Fridge
Keeps for 2 days
Once you open the package, doughnuts keep 2 days in the refrigerator.
Doughnuts last 1 to 2 days in the pantry from the day you buy them, and 2 days in the refrigerator after opening. USDA FoodKeeper doesn't recommend freezing doughnuts or danish pastries. It has no line for croissants.
Buying doughnuts this week?
On a Listonic list, every item gets the amount you need and a note on when to use it by.
- Quantity and unit on every item
- A note like “fridge, use within a week”
- One list shared with everyone at home
Doughnuts, or donuts, last 1 to 2 days in the pantry from the day you buy them, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Once the package is open, they keep 2 days in the fridge, and freezing them isn’t recommended.
Other pastries vary a lot. Danish pastries keep 5 to 10 days, toaster pastries keep for months, and puff pastry keeps 12 months in the freezer.
How long do doughnuts last?
Doughnuts last 1 to 2 days in the pantry, counted from the day you buy them. After you open the package, they keep 2 days in the refrigerator.
| Pastry | How long it keeps |
|---|---|
| Doughnuts | 1 to 2 days in the pantry, 2 days in the fridge after opening, not recommended for the freezer |
| Danish pastries | 5 to 10 days in the pantry, not recommended for the freezer |
| Toaster pastries | 6 to 12 months in the pantry unopened, 1 to 2 weeks after opening |
| Puff pastry | 12 months in the freezer |
How long can doughnuts sit out?
Doughnuts can sit out in the pantry for 1 to 2 days from the day you buy them. Plan to finish them in that time, since FoodKeeper doesn’t recommend freezing them.
How long do toaster pastries last?
Unopened toaster pastries keep 6 to 12 months in the pantry from the day you buy them. Once you open the package, eat them within 1 to 2 weeks.
Should doughnuts be refrigerated?
You don’t need to refrigerate doughnuts, because FoodKeeper gives them 1 to 2 days in the pantry. If you refrigerate them after opening the package, they keep 2 days.
Can you freeze doughnuts?
USDA FoodKeeper doesn’t recommend freezing doughnuts, and it says the same for danish pastries. Eat doughnuts within 1 to 2 days of buying them instead, or within 2 days of opening if you keep them in the fridge.
Freezing a doughnut won’t make it unsafe, since food kept constantly at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe and freezer times are for quality. FoodKeeper still advises against it.
Can you freeze croissants?
USDA FoodKeeper has no line for croissants, so it gives no freezer time for them. Of the pastries it does list, puff pastry keeps 12 months in the freezer, while doughnuts and danish pastries aren’t recommended for freezing.
How long does puff pastry last in the freezer?
Puff pastry keeps 12 months in the freezer, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Freezer burn won’t make it unsafe, only dry in spots, and you can cut the grayish-brown leathery spots away before or after cooking.
When to throw doughnuts out
Throw doughnuts out once you see mold on them. Moldy bread and baked goods should be thrown out, says the USDA’s page on molds on food. Porous foods like these can be contaminated below the surface.
Frequently asked questions
How long do donuts last in the fridge?
Doughnuts keep 2 days in the refrigerator after you open the package, according to USDA FoodKeeper.
How long do danish pastries last?
Danish pastries keep 5 to 10 days in the pantry from the day you buy them. USDA FoodKeeper doesn't recommend freezing them.
Is freezer-burned puff pastry safe?
Yes, freezer burn doesn't make food unsafe, only dry in spots. Cut the grayish-brown leathery spots away before or after cooking.
Can you eat a doughnut with a little mold?
No, throw it out. The USDA says moldy baked goods should be thrown out, because porous foods can be contaminated below the surface.
