The perfect treat for breakfast, cinnamon rolls deliciously combine sweet and spicy flavors. However, if you didn’t use your cinnamon roll dough as quickly as you’d want, you might have discovered that it has beyond its use-by date. So how long are cinnamon rolls good for?
The cautious answer is your cinnamon bun container is likely to have a best-by date rather than an expiration date. This means eating stale bread won’t make you sick, but it can produce less-than-ideal outcomes.
In our guide, you can learn more about how long cinnamon rolls last before they are not suitable and, ultimately, can cinnamon rolls go bad when they’re past their expiration date. (Learn How To Blend Without A Blender)
How Long Do Cinnamon Rolls Last Past Their Expiration Date?
There will be a date printed on the outer box of the cinnamon roll dough in the grocery store, whether it is Pillsbury cinnamon rolls or another brand. The “best-by” date is here, and it’s critical to know what it means.
The first important thing to realize is that expiry dates and best-by dates are two different things. It tells the customer how long the product will stay in factory-perfect condition rather than telling them when it is safe to eat.
This may affect how well the dough rises in baked items, but it does not affect how nutritious they are. To be safe, avoid consuming more than a year old dough because it has a higher risk of going bad.
You should be able to eat your cinnamon rolls 60 days beyond the best-by date, provided the packaging is undamaged. Baked Pillsbury cinnamon buns will keep for 2 days at room temperature and 6-7 days in the fridge.
In the freezer, they can be kept for two to three months. Cinnamon roll cartons that haven’t been baked or opened beyond their expiration date are safe.
How Long Baked and Unbaked Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Last?
Several variables will affect how long cinnamon rolls will last. Likewise, their longevity will be impacted by several variables, including the room’s temperature, the storage facility’s condition, and the container you use.
The temperature is probably the most critical variable among all the other variables. So, at various temperatures, let’s examine the shelf life of cinnamon buns, both baked and unbaked.
1. Room Temperature
Baked
That cinnamon rolls sit at room temperature on the counter is one of their best qualities. Some people find these rolls taste even better the next day. Baked cinnamon buns can be kept in a pantry without risk for two days. Just ensure to keep them cool and dry.
After baking, let the rolls cool completely to allow them to become soggy. After that, either wrap each one in a plastic bag or plastic wrap or set them inside an airtight container.
Unbaked
If you don’t want to bake them straight away, leave them sealed in the packaging. This will prevent the rolls from degrading or becoming contaminated.
Once more, you can store them in a dry, cool part of your pantry. Then, bake them the next day without waiting or putting the packet back in the fridge if you unintentionally leave it on the counter. (Read Do Uncrustables Go Bad In The Freezer)
2. In the Refrigerator
Baked
Transfer the rolls to your refrigerator if you won’t eat them in the next few days. They will remain delicious and fresh for at least a week thanks to the reduced temperature.
The roll will continue to be palatable beyond that time. However, the more you wait, the lower the quality and taste will get. Let them cool to room temperature before putting them in the fridge.
Steam will be trapped with the rolls if they are still steaming when you put them in a container. The rolls will quickly become mushy and soggy. Bacterial growth is also made more accessible by moisture.
Unbaked
Storing cinnamon rolls in the fridge is best if you have already opened the box but do not intend to use all the rolls immediately. The unbaked roll is still edible up to and occasionally even after its best-by date.
Although, try to consume the cinnamon buns within a week of opening the package for the best quality.
3. Freeze Cinnamon Rolls
Baked
The freezer is your greatest option for storing baked cinnamon rolls for an extended period. Bacterial growth and oxidation rates are decreased in the freezer’s chilling environment. As a result, the rolls will stay in good condition for two to three months.
Let the rolls cool completely before serving, like when you allow food in the fridge. The next time you bring out the rolls, this will guarantee the best possible quality.
Unbaked
There is no reason to store Pillsbury rolls in the freezer if you haven’t opened the package yet. However, if you’ve already opened them, keep them in the refrigerator with the container they came in.
Pillsbury cinnamon rolls are good for at least six weeks, if not longer, when baked. Remember that Pillsbury don’t recommend putting dough in the freezer because the rolls won’t rise correctly.
How to tell if cinnamon rolls are done?
Test after 30 minutes. Use a paring knife or fork to lift the middle roll; if the dough is still sticky and raw, oven for another 10 minutes. The rolls should be golden brown to dark brown and baked through. (Read Does Grape Juice Go Bad If Not Refrigerated)
Do cinnamon rolls rise twice?
The fragrant yeasted dough needs double-rises. Many recipes recommend letting the dough double, but a puffy appearance is a better indicator. After rising, buns are filled, rolled, and sliced.
Does refrigerated dough go bad?
It’s preferable to use the dough within 48 hours after refrigerating it for three days. This is the best way to refrigerate the dough. After kneading, place the dough in a large, greased bowl. Refrigerate in plastic wrap.
Can you eat expired cinnamon rolls that make you sick?
You won’t become sick from expired cinnamon rolls unless you ignore the obvious indications that they are rotting. In addition, the scent and flavor of the expired cinnamon rolls disappear, and the cinnamon roll isn’t as appealing.
Can I freeze Pillsbury cinnamon rolls?
The baked but unfrosted rolls can be frozen for a long shelf life. Later, you can defrost them, reheat them briefly in the oven, and then immediately ice them.
Or you may freeze the rolls with all the frosting and toppings on them. Just let them cool before covering them with foil and double wrap tightly sealed food wrap to avoid freezer burn.
How do you fix hard cinnamon rolls?
Let your Pillsbury dough cinnamon rolls warm to room temperature if they are too cold. Wrap them in a damp towel, then reheat them on a baking sheet in the oven at 350°F for about 7 minutes to warm and soften them for quick cinnamon rolls.
How Long Are Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Good for After Expiration Date?
Pillsbury cinnamon rolls come with a best-before or best-by date on every package. The rolls will remain safe after this date, but not yet. How long the rolls will remain in good condition, the manufacturer’s prediction is more accurate.
So long as the package is undamaged, you can still bake and eat the rolls after their expiration date. The unbaked rolls inside the box are still safe to eat for another 60 days if the box appears to be in good condition.
Therefore, you shouldn’t become concerned even if the rolls are a few days or weeks past their best-by date. The contents of the box should remain good to eat as long as the original packaging is intact for up to four months.
How to Tell if Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Are Bad?
Despite having a reasonably extended shelf life, Pillsbury cinnamon buns can rot like any other prepared food. The roll’s quality will deteriorate with time without proper storage, and they risk becoming contaminated.
Fortunately, there are a few indicators you may check for to determine whether the rolls have degraded after their expiry date. Loss of flavor and a bad odor are typical symptoms of expiration in any food item, and you can be sure they have passed the point of consumption if the bread has a sour smell or has an odd taste
The appearance of the cinnamon rolls is another indicator that you can check. Avoid eating the bread if you see any growth, such as mold growth.
Molding Of Baked Goods
Before storing cinnamon rolls, we must understand why they mold. When the rolls are out of the oven, it’s too hot for microorganisms and molds to live. Once the rolls cool, they’ll contaminate the bread and cause rot.
Mold needs moisture and temperature. Mold thrives in temperatures up to 86°F (30°C). Moisture helps mold develop. If you leave cinnamon rolls out on a hot and humid day, they’ll smell sour faster and end up with spoiled cinnamon rolls.
If you want to keep cinnamon rolls on the shelf, keep temperature and humidity in mind, and only store this way for up to two days and inside a paper bag or airtight container.
Otherwise, store them in a fridge or freezer. There are methods to prevent too much flavor and texture loss following freezer or freezing.
Storage Conditions
The shelf life of cinnamon rolls depends on how they’re stored. Cinnamon rolls in a cool area at room temperature will last two to three days and last about a week in the fridge in a sealed container.
Putting them away appropriately can help them last longer. However, plastic wrap with a tight seal is needed, and it is better to portion them individually to be properly stored.
After the initial proving, consider the yeast. Keeping the dough in the freezer or fridge will provide varied effects. Rolls from the oven have additional factors to consider.
As mentioned, finished rolls last 2 to 3 days. They’ll last up to a week in the fridge. After that, they’ll last four months in the freezer. This also applies to dessert shop-bought cinnamon rolls.
Can You Freeze Cinnamon Rolls?
Homemade Cinnamon rolls stay longer when frozen. Before freezing them, you must address various issues. Once you fix the issues, you can freeze and defrost the leftover cinnamon rolls.
Unbaked Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls can be frozen at any stage of the preparation. So, whether baked and unfrosted, fully iced and baked, or after rising, you can freeze them. However, before placing them in the freezer, there are a few things to consider.
If you don’t intend to bake the rolls immediately, increase the amount of yeast in the recipe by 50% for unbaked rolls. When you put yeast in the freezer, it enters hibernation. The yeast will reawaken once the rolls are thawed.
You won’t get a good rise because some yeast will die off. Because of the die-off, you should add more yeast than the recipe calls for.
Partially Baked Cinnamon Rolls
One of the best methods to freeze cinnamon rolls is after the first and second rising stages have been completed. Please wait for the rolls to cool after they have risen a second time in the oven. The rolls will get frosty if you put them in the freezer while they are still warm.
Wrap the baking dish in two layers of plastic when they have cooled. They can be kept for up to two weeks in the freezer. They may lose some of their flavor if you store them for longer. However, the yeast shouldn’t be an issue because this method requires your rolls to be past the rising stage.
Cook in the oven until golden brown after they have thawed fully. (Read What Happens If You Eat Bad Mashed Potatoes)
Finished Cinnamon Rolls
It doesn’t take much to use this strategy. Once the rolls have been iced, cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and store it in the freezer.
They can be kept for up to four months in the freezer. However, if all you have are Rubbermaid containers and you want to remove the rolls from the dish, you need to consider a few things out.
Can You Refrigerate Cinnamon Rolls After First Rise?
After the first rise, cinnamon roll dough can be chilled with no problems. However, in this two-step process, yeast’s reaction is affected by temperature, and your cinnamon roll dough rise may not be as expected.
