How Long Do Muffins Last: Best Storage Methods

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Last Updated on February 19, 2023

From chocolate chip to blueberry, muffins are a great dessert. They are particularly great homemade, but just how long do muffins last? To help keep them fresh and delicious for as long as possible, proper storage is key.

Muffins are one of the most popular breakfast meals you can bake. They are moist and flavorful and there are so many great flavor combinations. No matter the occasion, muffins are a great food to bake, but how long do muffins last? Let’s take a closer look.

How Long Do Muffins Last?

In general, homemade muffins will last for an average of two to five days at room temperature, though some can last for up to seven days. Muffins containing fresh fruit, such as blueberries, will generally not last as long as savory muffins. How long muffins last will vary based on the type of muffin and how you store them.

How to Store Muffins

Store your muffins in an airtight container on the counter at room temperature. Keep them out of direct sunlight and place them in a cool, dry area.

You can also store your muffins in a gallon Ziploc bag, bread box, or in a cake dome. Be sure to keep them properly covered to prevent them from drying out.

If your muffins contain any perishable ingredients such as cream cheese, you will want to store them in the fridge. Place them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag to keep fridge odors out.

Storing Store-Bought Muffins

You can store your store-bought muffins in the container they came in or transfer them to an airtight container, Ziploc bag, bread box, or cake dome. Store-bought muffins will often keep longer than homemade ones.

Storing Muffins in the Fridge

In general, it is not advised to store muffins in the fridge. The cool temperature of the refrigerator can change the texture of the muffin and dry them out faster instead of keeping the moisture in. It is typically best to only store muffins with perishable ingredients in the fridge.

Storing Muffins in the Freezer

Though muffins don’t do well in the fridge, they keep great in the freezer. Freezing muffins is a great way to keep them on hand if you can’t finish a full batch before they go bad.

You can freeze muffins for up to two to three months if they are properly stored. To freeze your muffins, place them in a single layer in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag. To help keep the muffins fresh, you can place some paper towels in the container or bag as well.

You can also wrap the muffins in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You generally don’t want to wrap individual muffins in plastic wrap as it will trap in too much moisture and create a sticky top and soggy muffin.

To defrost your muffins, place them in the fridge overnight or let them defrost at room temperature for 30 minutes to one hour. You can also warm them up in the microwave for 30-45 seconds straight from the freezer.

How to Tell if Muffins Have Gone Bad

Unfortunately, muffins are perishable and can go bad. Some key signs can allow you to detect if your muffins are no longer good.

If you notice any mold on your muffins, then you need to throw them out as they are not safe to eat. In addition, if you notice an off smell, taste, or appearance, it is best to just throw them out.

In a few days times, your muffins may dry out and go stale. Though they may not taste as good, they are generally still safe to be good. You can warm them up for a few seconds in the microwave and add some butter to improve their taste.

Tips to Keep Your Muffins Fresh For Longer

Muffins are sensitive to temperature and air. Fortunately, some handy tips can help your muffins stay fresh for longer.

Let Them Properly Cool Before Storing

Properly cooling your muffins is vital to making them last longer. After taking your muffins out of the oven, let them cool in the tin for three to five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Let your muffins fully cool before you place them in an airtight container. If you place your muffins in an airtight container while they are still hot, you can cause condensation to form in the container. This can lead to sticky tops and even soggy muffins.

Sealco Food Storage Containers with Lids – 4 Pack Set (8 Pieces Total) 

Place a Paper Towel With the Muffins

When storing your muffins, place a paper towel on the bottom of your container and another paper towel on top of your muffins. The paper towel will absorb any excess moisture from your muffins, keeping them fresh for longer and preventing sticky tops and sogginess.

Do Blueberry Muffins Need to be Refrigerated?

When it comes to blueberry muffins, it is not necessary to keep them in the refrigerator. Fresh muffins typically do best at room temperature as the fridge will dry them out. However, if your muffins contain perishable ingredients such as cheese or meat, they should be kept in the refrigerator to avoid spoilage. You can also choose to freeze your blueberry muffins. Muffins are one of the best-baked goods to freeze, as they thaw out and always taste so delicious!

How Long Do Chocolate Chip Muffins Last?

Chocolate chip muffins tend to last longer than other types of muffins. As long as they’re stored in an airtight container, they can last around a week or two at room temperature. However, the shelf life will dramatically decrease if kept in the fridge, whereby they’ll only last a few days before they become dry and inedible. Alternatively, you can freeze them for around three months.

How Long Do Banana Muffins Last?

As bananas tend to go bad quite quickly, banana muffins do not have a very long shelf life. In fact, at room temperature, they’ll only last around 4-5 days. Or if you’d prefer, you can freeze them for around 3 months.

Blueberry Muffins Recipe

If you’re looking to make the perfect blueberry muffins, then look no further. The ingredients you’ll need for this recipe are:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 1 cup of white sugar
• 2 tablespoons of demerara sugar
• 1/2 cup of softened butter
• 2 1/4 cups of fresh blueberries
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract

Now all you need to do is:

1. Gather all of the ingredients you need for this recipe and preheat your oven to 375F. You’ll also need to line a muffin pan with muffin liners. It’s important to lightly grease the liners with cooking spray, too.
2. Grab a bowl and add the following dry ingredients: salt, all-purpose flour, and baking powder. Mix and set aside.
3. In a stand mixer, add the following ingredients: butter and white sugar. Beat for a few minutes and then individually add the eggs; only add the next egg once the previous has been fully combined. Also, be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl as you go. Add the vanilla and almond extract.
4. Start adding the bowl of dry ingredients, as well as the milk; alternating between the two and mixing as you go. Once you have a thick batter, you can fold in the blueberries until evenly distributed.
5. Use a cookie dough scoop to add the batter to your prepared muffin liners and then add a sprinkling of the demerara sugar onto the top of the batter.
6. Place in the center of your preheated oven and bake for around 28-30 minutes. Leave your muffins to cool completely before eating. Serve and enjoy!
7. Alternatively, you can freeze the muffins for around 3 months.

Keeping Your Muffins Fresh

With proper storage, your homemade muffins will last for around two to five days. Store-bought muffins will last for seven days and sometimes longer.

Do you have any questions regarding how long muffins last? If so, please ask any questions regarding baking and storing muffins in the comment section below.

FAQs

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