I just baked up a batch of delicious homemade muffins. And while my kitchen smells great, what in the world should I do with the leftovers? How long can I keep them on the wire rack before they dry out? Can I store them in the fridge? Should I freeze them? In this post I will cover all the details of how to store muffins and quick breads for maximum freshness!
How do you store fresh muffins and quick breads?
If you leave your muffins exposed to air for more than 12 to 24 hours, depending on the humidity level at your home, the moisture will start to leak from them and they will dry out. What do you do?
If you intend on eating your muffins in the next 24 hours
You can keep them on the wire rack overnight if you know for sure that you and your company will be able to finish them within 24 hours. They will not dry out that fast and all you have to do is cover them up with a paper towel, or a fresh and clean kitchen towel. Easy!
If you are planning on eating them in the next 3 to 4 days…
Well, if you know that you will definitely eat them in the next 3 to 4 days, then store your homemade muffins in an airtight container or a zip-lock bag. But make sure to line the container or a zip-lock bag with a paper towel and store them in a single layer. Then place another layer of paper towel on top of the muffins as well.
Why use paper towels
To prevent sogginess! No one likes soggy muffins! So what happens? When excess moisture can’t be absorbed, muffins and quick breads become soggy fast. This is where the paper towel comes in. It absorbs the excess moisture, leaving your baked goods fresher longer.
Muffins moisture always migrates to the surface. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent this with homemade muffins, but we can delay the problem by using those paper towels.
Can I refrigerate my homemade muffins?
Unfortunately, refrigeration temperatures may alter the texture of the muffin. That’s why storing at room temperature is better than refrigeration when it comes to muffin quality and integrity!
What about freezing?
Muffins are the perfect candidates for freezing! For up to 3 months. Because you sort of lock in the moisture and flavor by freezing them. And when you need a muffin, and can easily grab one as needed. The easiest method is once again to use zip-lock bags and place muffins in a single layer inside the bag. It’s important to get as much air out of the bag as possible before sealing it for good!
I also like to write on the bag what the date I put my muffins in there. That way, you will never forget to eat them within the recommended time frame of 3 months.
How to defrost frozen muffins
There are two methods to defrost your muffins or quick breads.
- Simply place them at room temperature to defrost for an hour.
- You an also place them unwrapped on some paper towel in the microwave and reheat for about 30 seconds.
Recipe featured in this article
You might also like these homemade quick breads:
Homemade Buttermilk Quick Bread
Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese
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