How Fast Do Donuts Go Bad?

Donuts go bad when exposed to air or moisture. Place in sealed container or bag. Plain, powdered, glazed, topped donuts keep 2 days at room temperature, up to 1 week in the fridge.
Plain and powdered keep longest. Filled donuts more prone to spoilage. Discard after 4 days to be safe. No added preservatives make donuts susceptible to spoilage faster than other breads. Spoiled donuts have chewy crust and an awful taste.
Refrigeration extends the life of filled donuts but makes standard ones go stale faster. Wrap tightly in plastic or foil to retain freshness when refrigerating.

Donuts can sit out at room temperature for 1-2 days. Plain and powdered donuts keep the longest. Filled donuts should go in the fridge after 2 days. Wrapping tightly retains freshness in the fridge, though makes non-filled donuts go stale faster. Donuts lose their sweet aroma when bad. Safety is key with kids.

Proper storage extends shelf life. Cream-filled donuts spoil faster than plain. Ingredients affect shelf life too. Donuts in warm, humid areas likely mold faster than ones in dry areas.
An uncut frosted cake can sit out 4-5 days at 72°F. Coconut cake doesn’t need refrigeration. Dunkin donuts shouldn’t sit out over 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F).
Freshly baked non-filled donuts last 1-2 days out, filled ones need the fridge. Steaming gives doughnuts a fluffy interior without oiliness. Place cooled doughnuts in an airtight container. Signs of donut spoilage include mold, yeast growth, and staleness.