How to store muffins to keep them fresh (2024)

Do you love baking and want to know how to store muffins to keep them fresh? There's nothing better than a freshly baked muffin, but the problem many people have is that they either go soggy or dry out and lose that fresh muffin taste and texture.

This guide covers everything you need to know about how to store muffins so you can keep muffins fresh for as long as possible.

How to store muffins?

The best way to store any quick breads and muffins is at room temperature. Place muffins in a sealed container like this muffin carrier or a ziplock bag. Another option is a cake stand with dome lid. These will all prevent muffins from drying out, but if you add a sheet of kitchen paper it also will help soak up excess moisture and stop muffins from going soggy. There are a few other ways to store muffins and keep them fresh depending on your needs. I'll go through them all so you can choose the best option for you.

Store-bought muffins usually contain preservatives that will keep them fresh for longer. But once the packet is opened and they are exposed to air they are still susceptible to going dry or soggy. My tips on keeping muffins tasting fresh will work on homemade or store-bought muffins.

3 easy ways to store muffins

There are 3 easy ways to store muffins that don't require any fancy equipment or complex steps. But first things first! Let your muffins cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature before packing them up. Otherwise, condensation can form and that's a one-way street to soggy muffins! Once they are at room temperature, follow these simple steps to keep muffins fresh for longer.

1. How to store muffins at room temperature

You might wonder can you leave muffins out overnight? Absolutely! Store muffins at room temperature in an airtight container or a ziplock bag lined with paper towels. Place the muffins in a single layer inside so that they are surrounded on all sides by paper towels. This will absorb any excess moisture and prevent them from going soggy. And, you can change the container paper after a couple of days for optimal freshness. This option is the best way to store muffins so that they are readily available as a quick snack.

If stored correctly, you can keep muffins at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.

2. How to store muffins in the fridge

Sometimes you might need to refrigerate muffins, perhaps because they contain ingredients that aren't safe to be stored at room temperature or you live in a hot climate. Make sure they are completely cool first, as you do not want condensation forming if warm muffins go into the fridge. Pack muffins in a single layer into a suitable airtight vessel lined with absorbent kitchen paper. Or, place them flat into a ziplock bag between the paper towels.

Storing muffins or homemade quick bread in the fridge will dull the flavors and alter the texture somewhat, so allow them to come back up to room temperature before enjoying them.

If stored correctly, you can keep muffins refrigerated for up to 5-7 days but I recommend eating them not later than 5 days for the best taste.

If you wonder how to store muffins for a week? I recommend to rather freeze them for the best taste and texture as a week might be a bit too long in the fridge.

3. Store muffins in the freezer

You can easily freeze muffins to enjoy them at a later date. This will keep muffins fresh, especially if you freeze them as soon as possible after baking. Cool the muffins on a wire rack and then individually wrap them in plastic food wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Place the wrapped muffins into a freezer bag or loose, but sure you label them so you know what they are!

You should defrost frozen muffins thoroughly before eating and then consume them within 3 months.

How long can you keep muffins on the counter at room temperature?

You can keep muffins on the counter for up to four days if stored correctly. This is my personal preference on how to store muffins to keep them fresh! They are generally fine at room temperature if you follow my steps to avoid them going soggy or drying out.

Should I store muffins in the fridge?

Most muffins (like blueberry muffins or banana muffins) are usually fine to be kept on the counter. But if you have made savory muffins that contain ingredients like meat or cheese they will need to be stored in the fridge. This is because those ingredients will spoil at room temperature and create a food hazard, so to enjoy your baked goods safely they will need to be refrigerated.

Also store muffins in the fridge if you have added a frosting that contains cream cheese, milk, or heavy cream like this cream cheese frosting. Which, incidentally tastes delicious slathered on top of banana mini muffins.

If you live somewhere very hot this can also speed up the spoiling process. If the room temperature in your kitchen is above 20C / 68F, store your muffins or quick bread in the fridge.

Leftover muffins like these brownie muffins or cinnamon streusel muffins can usually be safely stored on the counter without worry.

Can you freeze muffins?

Yes, you can freeze muffins easily! To prevent freezer burn, let the muffins cool completely before wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Then place them into an airtight container or freezer bag before freezing.

It is more unusual to frost muffins, but who says you can't? I like to do it sometimes and you can still freeze frosted muffins, too! Place them carefully into the freezer unwrapped for 2-3 hours just to allow the frosting to set before packing up carefully and storing them as before.

To defrost muffins, unwrap them and microwave for 20-30 seconds on a plate covered with a paper towel. If they are frosted or you have more time, simply leave them on the counter on a rack to defrost.

How to reheat muffins?

Warm muffins are the best! Reheat muffins in the microwave on a paper towel for 20 seconds. To reheat muffins in the oven, place them on a baking tray and warm them through at 175 C/350 F for 10-15 minutes. Flick a tablespoon of water over the tray before baking to create some extra steam in the oven and keep them moist and prevent drying out.

How long will homemade muffins stay fresh?

Homemade muffins stay fresh for up to four days if stored correctly at room temperature and a few extra days longer refrigerated. If you are hoping to enjoy them after this time or have made quite a few, I'd recommend freezing half of the batch as soon as they have cooled. This enables you to enjoy fresh muffins for a few days and then you can defrost the others to enjoy those too.

5 Expert tips for storing muffins

1. Do not cool muffins in the pan for too long as this traps moisture in their base. After 10 minutes, move them to a wire cooling rack to allow air to circulate.
2. Store leftover muffins in a single layer and do not stack them. Stacking muffins encourages moisture to form in between layers and they will go soggy.
3. A great kitchen hack is to use a straw to suck out excess air from inside the zip lock bag before sealing it shut. It's a DIY version of vacuum packing that helps to keep muffins fresher for longer.
4. Write the date and flavor onto the bag or a label before freezing muffins as it is very easy to forget these details once they are stashed away!
5. I often get emails that ask me 'can you leave muffins out overnight?' and I often do. I leave them on the counter but drape a clean, dry tea towel over the top.

I hope you've found everything you need and now know how to store muffins to keep them fresh! If you love baking like me, check out how to store brownies or how to store cupcakes to keep your baked goods fresh for longer.

Storing muffins FAQs

Recommended equipment for storing muffins

Plastic muffin container

Paper cupcake box

Wire rack for cooling

Perhaps you are also interested in more information on the different flour storage solutions and equipment. If so, read my how to store flour guide.

Muffin recipes

Have you tried this recipe?

Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on the recipe card and consider leaving a comment as well! I would love to hear about how your dessert turned out and your feedback also helps other Readers!