I have a mission to make muffins healthy and delicious. But there's nothing sadder than baking an entire batch of muffins, saving some for later, and discovering they have turned to soggy muffins while being stored. Here are some easy ways to store muffins for maximum freshness and enjoyment.
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Muffins have gotten a bad rap as a breakfast food. I understand why; store-bought muffins are often huge with lots of calories and not much nutrition to back them up. As a muffin lover, I want to change this. If you've followed MHE over the years, you know that I have a pretty tasty archive of recipes for different kinds of muffins that quite frankly, I'm rather proud of. You can find them all here. Some of my very favorites are the Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins and this recipe for Chocolate Strawberry Muffins.
The Best Way to Cool Muffins
The first step is cooling your baked goods properly. My preferred method of cooling fresh muffins is to let them sit in the pan for 2 minutes. Then remove them carefully from their muffin tin and allow to cool in a single layer on a wire rack.
Freezing Muffins
If you've made a big batch of muffins that you can't eat immediately, you can definitely save them for later. Everyone has their own opinions on the best storage method for muffins though. For maximum freshness, my preferred method is to store them in the freezer. Most recipes will do fine with this method.
To store leftover muffins in the freezer:
- Step one: First put them on a sheet pan and place it in the freezer to flash freeze them.
- Step two: Let them sit in the freezer for 2 hours to secure their shape.
- Step three: Then you can simply place them in an airtight container or airtight freezer bags. This amazing Stasher bag is one of my favorite ways to store muffins. It's similar to a ziplock bag, but this resealable bag is reusable and works like a charm.
If you don't take the time to flash freeze before storing, the muffins stick together and lose their round shape. When you're ready to eat, take the number of muffins you want out of the freezer and place on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave in 20 seconds intervals until they are your desired temperature (I prefer slightly warm muffins). When I make muffins, I try to make a double batch. Some to enjoy now with my family, and some to store in the freezer for a quick and healthy breakfast later on.
Store Muffins at Room Temperature
Because homemade muffins don't have any preservatives in them, their shelf life is going to be much less. If you know you'll be enjoying your delicious muffins the next day or in a couple of days, you could choose to store them at room temperature.
- Step one: line the bottom of an airtight storage container with a layer of paper towel. This layer will help absorb excess moisture.
- Step two: Place muffins in a single layer on the paper towel.
- Step three: Then place another sheet of paper towel on top of the muffins.
- Step four: Finally place the lid on securely and store in a dry place.
You can also use this method to store quick breads and savory muffins as well. If you're not going to eat your muffins in that short of time period, you could store in the fridge for 1-1.5 weeks.
Signs of Spoilage
If you leave your muffins out at room temperature for more than a couple of days, just check them for signs of mold before you enjoy. The mold might be green, blue, or black and there may also be a sour odor if your muffins have gone bad. Also any white or fuzzy spots are a bad sign. The muffins should be fine for up to 4 days, but it's best to be safe.
Muffins as a Healthy Breakfast
One of my favorite muffin recipes might just be my Whole Wheat Homemade Blueberry Muffins. They are a healthier version but don't worry, they are perfectly moist and soft, due to using whole wheat pastry flour, honey and buttermilk. To turn muffins into a complete breakfast to sustain your energy, try one of these pairings:
- 1 muffin + 1-2 hard boiled eggs
- 1 muffin + Greek yogurt
- 1 muffin + tofu scramble
- 1 muffin + protein shake of choice
- 1 muffin + piece of tempeh
- 1 muffin + 2 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 muffin + small smoothie
- 1 muffin + chia pudding
One of the things I love about muffins is that it seems that there are endless flavor combinations and add-ins. It’s always a fun challenge to find new delicious and healthy muffin combinations to enjoy.
I hope this helps you enjoy your homemade muffins to the fullest!
Jenna
