Biscuits are a breakfast staple for many people. Their fluffy, tender texture makes them perfect for smothering in gravy or splitting open to create sandwiches. While fresh baked biscuits can’t be beat, it’s not always feasible to bake them daily. Luckily, you can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for several days. This allows you to bake fresh biscuits whenever you want them with minimal effort.
Can Unbaked Biscuit Dough Be Refrigerated?
Yes, unbaked biscuit dough can absolutely be refrigerated. In fact, chilling the dough for 30 minutes to 2 hours prior to baking can help relax the gluten strands and prevent over-mixing, resulting in more tender biscuits. Refrigerating the dough also firms up the butter, creating flakier layers when the biscuits are baked.
Once shaped into individual biscuits, the dough should be placed on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased with butter or nonstick cooking spray. Make sure the biscuits are not touching each other. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate until ready to bake.
How Long Does Biscuit Dough Last in the Fridge?
Properly stored biscuit dough will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator before the quality starts to decline. The refrigeration slows down the yeast activity and keeps the dough from overproofing. It also prevents the butter from becoming rancid.
Here are some tips for maximizing the shelf life of refrigerated biscuit dough:
- Make sure all the ingredients used to make the dough are fresh, especially dairy products like milk or buttermilk.
- Chill the dough thoroughly before shaping the biscuits and refrigerating.
- Shape the individual biscuits neatly so they aren’t touching each other.
- Wrap the baking sheet tightly in plastic wrap or foil to prevent drying out.
- Refrigerate within 30 minutes of shaping. Don’t leave the shaped dough out at room temperature.
Properly chilled biscuit dough that’s kept cold should easily last 3 days. For optimal freshness and rise, plan to bake refrigerated biscuits within 5 days.
Does Unbaked or Baked Biscuit Dough Last Longer?
Unbaked biscuit dough that is properly refrigerated will last significantly longer than baked biscuits. This is because baking the dough causes moisture loss, which shortens the shelf life. Unbaked dough maintains its moisture content when chilled.
Here’s a comparison between refrigerated unbaked dough and baked biscuits:
| Type | Fridge Life | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unbaked dough | 3-5 days | Well-wrapped dough keeps its moisture and freshness when chilled. |
| Baked biscuits | 3-4 days | Baking causes moisture loss, shortening shelf life. |
As you can see, unbaked refrigerated dough lasts about 1-2 days longer than baked biscuits stored in the fridge. So for maximum shelf life, keep the dough unbaked until you are ready to serve fresh biscuits.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Biscuits
If you do have leftover baked biscuits, they can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. Here are some tips for storing leftover biscuits:
- Let biscuits cool completely before refrigerating.
- Place in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
- For longer shelf life, wrap biscuits individually in plastic wrap or foil.
- Avoid storing biscuits in the fridge for longer than 3-4 days.
To reheat leftover refrigerated biscuits:
- Unwrap biscuits and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake in a 300°F oven for 8-10 minutes until warmed through.
- Split and toast or crispy up the biscuits in a skillet with butter.
- Microwave for 10-20 seconds to warm. Check frequently to avoid overheating.
Reheated biscuits won’t have quite the same fresh-baked taste or texture but can still make a quick breakfast or snack. Enjoy leftover biscuits within 4 days for best quality.
How Long Can Frozen Biscuit Dough Last?
For long term storage, biscuit dough also freezes very well. Well-wrapped frozen dough will keep for 2-3 months without deterioration in quality.
Follow these tips for freezing biscuit dough:
- Chill dough thoroughly before shaping into biscuits.
- Place unbaked biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing apart.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil.
- Freeze for 1-2 hours until completely hard.
- Transfer frozen biscuits to an airtight freezer bag or container.
- Remove as much air as possible and seal.
- Label with contents and freeze-by date (3 months from storing).
Frozen raw biscuit dough will keep its moisture and rise capability for up to 3 months when properly stored. Thaw dough overnight in the fridge before baking.
Can You Freeze Baked Biscuits?
It’s best to freeze biscuits before baking. However, baked biscuits can be frozen, too. To freeze cooked biscuits:
- Let cool completely after baking.
- Wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap.
- Place in freezer bag, removing excess air.
- Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thaw at room temperature before reheating.
The texture of thawed baked biscuits won’t be quite as good. But they can still be enjoyed toasted or used for sandwiches or crumbled as a topping.
Signs Your Refrigerated Biscuit Dough Has Gone Bad
Properly stored biscuit dough stays fresh for 3-5 days in the fridge, but it’s important to watch for signs of spoilage. Discard the dough if you notice any of the following:
- Unpleasant sour smell
- Mold growth
- Dry, cracked dough
- Deflated or sunken appearance
- Greyish color
- Oddly textured dough
Dough that is past its prime may still bake up but will likely have an off taste or smell. For food safety, it’s best to just discard old biscuit dough and make a fresh batch.
Troubleshooting Problems With Refrigerated Biscuit Dough
Sometimes refrigerated biscuit dough may not rise well or bake up properly. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
Dough Doesn’t Rise
Lack of rise can happen if dough is overworked or stored too long. Some solutions:
- Make sure to chill dough before rolling out.
- Handle gently when shaping; don’t twist or pinch.
- Ensure baking powder/soda is still fresh and active.
- Bake within 5 days of storing; discard older dough.
Flat, Tough Biscuits
This can occur if the dough wasn’t kept chilled or wet ingredients weren’t adequately incorporated:
- Chill dough at every stage until baking.
- Make sure ingredients are cold before mixing.
- Stir just until incorporated; don’t overmix.
- Use chilled equipment to shape biscuits.
Dry, Crumbly Interior
Overworking the dough or incorrect baking causes dry biscuits. Fixes include:
- Handle dough gently when shaping.
- Bake at correct temperature (425°F) and time.
- Avoid opening the oven while baking.
- Let biscuits fully cool on pan before removing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you refrigerate biscuit dough twice?
It’s best to only refrigerate biscuit dough once. Refrigerating a second time may cause the dough to overproof or develop off-flavors. For fresh dough, just mix up a new batch.
How long can unbaked biscuits sit out at room temperature?
Raw shaped biscuits that have been refrigerated should go straight into the oven. Leaving them at room temperature for more than 30 minutes can cause overproofing. Bake refrigerated biscuits within 2 hours.
Can unbaked biscuits be frozen then refrigerated again?
Yes, biscuits can be frozen, thawed in the fridge overnight, then kept refrigerated for another 3-5 days. Make sure thawed dough is chilled completely before baking for the best results.
Should you thaw frozen biscuits before baking?
Frozen raw biscuits can go straight into the oven without thawing first. Just increase the bake time by 2-3 minutes. Thaw first for a better rise. Thawed baked biscuits need a quick reheat in the oven.
Conclusion
Storing biscuit dough in the refrigerator is a great way to enjoy fresh homemade biscuits any time. The properly chilled dough will keep well for 3-5 days. Freezing unbaked dough also allows it to be stored for 2-3 months.
With some simple storage steps, you can have delicious biscuits ready with very little effort. Just shape the dough, chill it thoroughly, and bake when you need a quick breakfast or snack. Using refrigerated dough makes it easy to serve up hot biscuits on a busy morning or enjoy them any day of the week.