How To Reheat Donuts So They’re Fresh Again

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Learn how to reheat donuts correctly so that they taste fresh again! These four methods are guaranteed to make your old stale donuts taste fresh!

Reheat Donuts: Answer

ANSWER: The quickest way to reheat donuts is in the microwave. Place the donut on a microwave-safe plate and warm it for 10-20 seconds. You can also air fry or bake the donuts at 300°F for 5 minutes.

Nothing beats the taste of a freshly baked donut. However, these treats only stay fresh for so long. If you are anything like me, you probably bought a dozen freshly baked donuts and have some leftovers! We all know that there is a huge difference in the flavor and texture of this delicious treat the next day! 

However, fear not! You can reheat those leftover donuts so that they taste as if they are freshly made!

How To Reheat Donuts

The good news is that you can make day-old doughnuts taste as if they’re fresh again!

The different methods to reheat day-old donuts:

• Air fryer (best way)
• Microwave (quickest way)
• Oven (best for multiple donuts)
• Stovetop In A Frying Pan (best for stale donuts)

There is nothing better than fresh doughnuts! I love the soft and pillowy inside with the lightly crispy outside. However, they only stay warm for a short amount of time after they are made. 

These four methods are great for warming up your donuts.

Reheat Donuts In Air Fryer – Best Way

Air Fryer Instructions:
1. Set the air fryer to 300°F.
2. Place the donuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket for 5 minutes or until warm. (Do not overcrowd the basket).
3. Once heated, let cool slightly before serving.

Why This Method Works:

• Best appliance to warm doughnuts.
• The circulating hot air warms the inside of the donut while crisping up the outside. The donut will taste as if it was freshly fried.

Tips For Success:

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket
• Check frequently to avoid burning
• The perfect amount of time the donut spends in the basket is dependant on the airfryer (they’re all different sizes). As states, make sure to check frequently.

The best way to reheat donuts is in the air fryer. In just five quick minutes, you can reheat your donuts in the air fryer and it will taste as if they’re freshly made! Take it from me, I use this method every week to heat my French donuts. 

For best results, make sure not to overcrowd the basket. If it is overcrowded, then the donuts will not heat up evenly. 

You also should check the donuts frequently so that they do not burn. After a few minutes, check on the pastries to see if they are heated through. They should be warm and slightly crispy on the outside. 

Once the donuts are warm, let them cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.

Microwave Doughnuts – Quickest Way

Microwave Instructions:
1. Place the donut uncovered on a microwave-safe plate.
2. Microwave for 10 to 20 seconds.
3. If the donut isn’t warm enough, microwave it for a couple more seconds

Why This Method Works:

• It is QUICK! In under 20 seconds, you can reheat your donuts.

Tips For Success:

• Microwave one donut at a time
• Do not overheat the donut

The quickest way to reheat donuts is in the microwave. If you are in a rush or do not have time, then you should use the microwave to heat up your donuts. All it takes is a few seconds and you will have a delicious fresh donut.

However, be careful not to overheat the donut! If you microwave the donut for too long, then it will become tough and rubbery. Once this happens, there is no reversing it. 

Moreover, it is best to microwave one donut at a time. In my experience, I have found that microwaving one donut at a time is better than microwaving a big batch. Whenever I would microwave multiple at a time, there would be some that became tough and rubbery. I would end up throwing those in the trash!

How To Reheat Donuts In The Oven

Oven Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 300°F
2. Place the donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (optional: place donuts on a wire rack on the baking sheet). 
3. Bake for 5 minutes or until warm
4. Let cool slightly then serve.

Why This Method Works:

• Best way to heat multiple donuts
• Reheats the donuts evenly without the chance of turning tough and rubbery (unlike the microwave method).
• Similar to Air Frying method (the best method)

Tips For Success:

• If you have a wire rack, use it! The wire rack will allow airflow underneath the donuts. 
• Cover donuts with aluminum foil if they are stale.
• Check frequently so that the donuts do not burn.

Reheating donuts in the oven is a good option to warm up a big batch of donuts. Unlike the air fryer which can only hold a couple of crispy donuts at a time, the oven is larger and can heat up a dozen or more donuts. 

The oven is a great way to revive the texture and make them taste fresh again. You can also use the toaster oven.

How To Reheat Donuts In A Frying Pan

Frying Pan Instructions:
1. Heat your frying pan on medium-low heat.
2. Place a donut in the frying pan with one tablespoon of water. Cover with a lid.
3. Heat for one minute or until warm.

Why This Method Works:

• Best for stale donuts!
• The steam will warm the donut
• QUICK! Just takes a couple of minutes.

You can heat your donut in a frying pan! The frying pan method is a great way to make stale donuts taste brand new again. Although this takes more work than the previous methods, it is an easy way to reheat delicious donuts.

How To Store Donuts

If you have any leftover donuts, you can store them for another day. 

To store donuts, let them cool down to room temperature. Place them in an airtight container such as a freezer bag or food container.  Unlike a paper bag which will make any bread go stale, the airtight container will keep your donuts fresh overnight.

The donuts can sit on the counter for up to three days. However, if you need to store them for longer, then you can place them in the fridge or the freezer. To learn more on how to store and freeze donuts, read my guide on the best ways to store, freeze, and reheat beignets. After all, a beignet is a type of donut.

If you make homemade donuts and do not plan on eating all of them, then don’t glaze them! It is better to glaze them once you heat them back up again (for good reasons). And if you have never made this delicious treat at home, then now is the time to do it! The best donuts I have ever had are seriously the ones that I make in my own kitchen. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

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