Quick Answer
Muffins that do not contain egg, cream, custard, fresh cheese, meat, poultry, or seafood fillings can be kept at room temperature for 2-3 days. After that, they should be refrigerated or frozen to extend their shelf life. Muffins with egg, dairy, meat, or seafood fillings should always be refrigerated and will last 3-4 days refrigerated.
How Long Do Muffins Last at Room Temperature?
The shelf life of muffins depends on the ingredients. Muffins that contain only pantry staple ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder, oil, fruits, nuts, etc. will last 2-3 days at room temperature when stored properly in an airtight container. The key is making sure they do not contain ingredients like eggs, cream, custard, cream cheese, meat, poultry, or seafood fillings which require refrigeration.
Plain muffins and fruit muffins made with ingredients like blueberries, apples, bananas, and cranberries can safely be kept at room temperature for 2-3 days. After that, they should be moved to the refrigerator to extend their shelf life. Refrigerating them will make them last 3-5 days total.
Some examples of muffins that can be kept at room temperature include:
- Blueberry muffins
- Bran muffins
- Oatmeal muffins
- Banana nut muffins
- Lemon poppyseed muffins
- Corn muffins
- Carrot cake muffins
On the other hand, muffins that contain egg, dairy, meat, poultry, or seafood fillings should always be refrigerated for food safety. The perishable ingredients in these muffins require refrigeration to slow down bacterial growth. Leaving them out too long at room temperature allows bacteria to multiply rapidly.
How Long Do Muffins Last Refrigerated?
Properly storing muffins in the refrigerator extends their shelf life. Here is how long different types of muffins last refrigerated:
Muffins Without Egg, Dairy, Meat, or Seafood
- Plain muffins – 5-7 days
- Fruit muffins – 3-5 days
- Vegetable muffins – 3-5 days
- Nut muffins – 3-5 days
Muffins With Egg, Dairy, Meat, or Seafood
- Egg or cheese muffins – 3-4 days
- Sausage muffins – 3-4 days
- Seafood muffins – 3-4 days
As you can see, refrigeration extends the shelf life of all types of muffins. Muffins containing egg, dairy, meat or seafood have a shorter refrigerated shelf life of only 3-4 days. It’s important to be aware of what ingredients are in your muffins to determine how long they will last refrigerated.
How to Store Muffins
To get the maximum shelf life out of your muffins, proper storage is key. Here are some tips for storing muffins:
Room Temperature Storage
- Allow muffins to completely cool after baking prior to storing.
- Place muffins in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
- Make sure they are not stacked or crammed together, which can cause them to go stale faster.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
- Consume within 2-3 days.
Refrigerator Storage
- Allow muffins to completely cool first.
- Place in an airtight container or resealable bag.
- Make sure air is pressed out before sealing.
- Store in the refrigerator for 3-7 days.
Freezer Storage
- Allow muffins to cool completely after baking.
- Wrap individual muffins tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
- Place wrapped muffins in freezer bags or airtight containers.
- Press out excess air before sealing.
- Label with date and contents.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Proper storage helps prevent the muffins from drying out and extends their shelf life at room temperature, in the fridge, or freezer.
How to Tell if Muffins Are Bad
Here are some signs that indicate your muffins have gone bad:
- Mold growth – this appears as fuzzy spots or patches on the muffin.
- Dry, crumbly texture – the muffin is dried out.
- Soggy texture – the muffin is stale.
- Off odor – spoiled muffins give off a sour, unpleasant smell.
- Change in color – the muffin looks grey or dull.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to throw out the muffins. Eating spoiled muffins can cause foodborne illness. When in doubt, follow the old saying “When in doubt, throw it out.”
FAQs
Do muffins need to be refrigerated?
Muffins without perishable fillings like eggs, cheese, meat etc. do not need to be refrigerated for 2-3 days after baking. Refrigeration can extend the shelf life up to 5-7 days. Muffins with egg, dairy, meat, or seafood fillings should always be refrigerated.
Can you freeze homemade muffins?
Yes, homemade muffins freeze very well for up to 3 months. Allow them to cool completely after baking, then wrap individually and place in freezer bags. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
How can you keep muffins moist?
To keep muffins moist and prevent drying out, store them at room temperature in an airtight container. You can also wrap them individually in plastic wrap before placing in a storage container. Avoid refrigerating for more than 5-7 days, as the fridge dries out baked goods.
Can you eat muffins left out overnight?
Muffins without egg, dairy, meat, or seafood that are left out overnight are generally still safe to eat. However, they will become stale and dry. It’s best to refrigerate or freeze them after the first 2-3 days at room temperature. Discard any muffins left out over 24 hours that contain perishable fillings.
Do blueberry muffins need to be refrigerated?
Freshly baked blueberry muffins do not need refrigeration for 2-3 days if stored properly at room temperature in an airtight container. For longer storage, refrigerate them in an airtight container for 3-5 days maximum.
Conclusion
When properly stored, muffins can last 2-3 days at room temperature, 3-7 days refrigerated, and up to 3 months in the freezer. The shelf life depends on the ingredients. Muffins with egg, dairy, meat, or seafood should always be refrigerated and eaten within 3-4 days.
Plain and fruit muffins will last a bit longer, around 3-5 days in the fridge. Always store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Freezing allows even longer storage for up to 3 months. Check for mold, dryness, or off odors before eating leftovers. Follow these tips for storing muffins to maximize their freshness and shelf life.