How Long Do Croissants Last? A Guide to Keeping Them Fresh

Here’s all about the shelf life of croissants and keeping them fresh for longer. Learn how long croissants last depending on the variety and how you store them.

Croissants are a beloved pastry enjoyed all around the world for their flaky, buttery goodness. However, like any baked good, croissants have a limited shelf life.

In this article, we will explore the factors that affect the shelf life of croissants and provide tips on storing them properly to ensure they stay fresh for as long as possible.

Let’s jump right in.

How Long Do Fresh Croissants Last?

Fresh croissants last for about 1 to 2 days at room temperature and for about a week if you seal them tightly and refrigerate them. Alternatively, you can freeze them for up to two months.

That’s the gist of it.

Croissants are best when consumed fresh. To enjoy the best possible quality, eat them immediately or within a few hours of buying.

If you need to store them for 10 to 12 hours on the day you buy them, keeping them in their original paper bag is okay.

However, if you plan to keep them until the next day, I recommend transferring each croissant to a separate plastic bag. This prevents them from drying out as much as they would in a paper bag.

Of course, the quality of ingredients also plays a role. A freshly baked croissant from a reputable bakery will likely maintain its quality for longer than a cheap one baked in-house at a supermarket.

Now, let’s go through whether you should leave your croissants at room temperature or place them in the fridge.

Do You Refrigerate Croissants?

To keep custard-filled croissants fresh, refrigerate them if you won’t eat them the day they’re baked or the day after. For plain no-filling croissants, you can leave them at room temperature, like hamburger buns or bread.

Croissants typically have a custard filling, which is why most guides recommend refrigeration for storage beyond a day or two. However, refrigeration isn’t necessary if there is no filling that may degrade or spoil.

Of course, you can store unfilled pastries in the fridge if they are sealed tightly, but that likely won’t help them maintain quality for longer.

Next, let’s talk about storage practices that help keep your croissants fresh longer.

How to Keep Croissants Fresh for Longer?

To keep croissants fresh, store them in individual plastic bags and refrigerate ones that are filled. For longer storage, freeze them wrapped tightly to avoid freezer burn. To freshen stale croissants, bake at 320°F (or 160°C) for 5-6 minutes.

That’s the short version. Let’s dig in.

To maintain the quality of your croissants for a longer period, transfer them from their paper bag to individual plastic bags. Before sealing, squeeze out the air from each bag, but don’t squish the pastry.

This will help you retain okay quality for a couple of days, but no longer. If you need to store them longer, freeze the croissants instead.

If your croissants are filled, refrigerate them if you won’t use them the same day. The filling, especially custard-like ones, isn’t typically shelf-stable. So storing them in the fridge helps ensure they don’t go bad or lose quality.

If your croissants are starting to look stale and chewy, you can freshen them up in the oven. Preheat your oven to 320°F (or 160°C) and bake the pastries for 5 to 6 minutes.

While they won’t be quite as heavenly as they were fresh out of the oven, popping them in the oven will work wonders in terms of restoring their texture and improving their overall taste.

Next, let’s talk about freezing.

Can You Freeze Croissants?

Yup. To freeze croissants, wrap each one individually using plastic or freezer wrap. Then, place each wrapped croissant inside a freezer bag and squeeze out the air before sealing the bag.

When stored properly, croissants can retain their quality for at least two months in the freezer.

I recommend two layers of protection (plastic wrap and a bag) to prevent freezer burn and prolong the quality of pastries.

Also, it’s important to freeze croissants as soon as possible after buying or baking them. The quality deteriorates over time, and freezing them won’t magically make stale and chewy croissants crispy and fresh.

How to Defrost Croissants?

To thaw frozen croissants, let them sit at room temperature for a few hours, then reheat them in an oven preheated to 320°F (or 160°C) for 5 to 6 minutes. If they are filled and have not been freshly frozen, defrost them overnight in the fridge instead.

First, remove the croissant from the plastic wrap, but keep it in the freezer bag to avoid excessive drying during defrosting. If you notice a lot of moisture in the bag, place the pastry on a paper towel to absorb the excess liquid and prevent a soggy bottom.

Once the croissants are fully defrosted, it’s time to bring them back to life.

Preheat your oven to 320°F (or 160°C) and bake the croissants for 5-6 minutes to get them as close to that fresh-from-the-oven state as possible. And voila! You’ll have delicious, buttery croissants ready to enjoy in no time.

Finally, it’s time to talk about prepackaged croissants, like the 7 Days brand.

How Long Do Prepackaged Croissants (e.g., 7 Days) Last?

Prepackaged croissants (like 7 Days) have a much longer shelf life than fresh croissants, up to 2 to 3 months. And they typically retain good quality for at least another week or two beyond the printed date.

Pre-wrapped croissants, like the 7 Days brand, are designed to last longer thanks to extra preservatives and airtight packaging. Because of that, even though they’re custard-filled, they’re shelf-stable and stay safe to eat for such a long time.

If your 7 Days croissant is a couple of weeks “expired,” I suggest you open up the package and give the pastry a once-over.

If it looks and smells okay, give it a shot. And if it’s a little stale, pop it in the oven to freshen it up. It’s not quite as good as a freshly-baked croissant, but it’ll do the trick in a pinch.

(Of course, if the croissant is like two months past the printed date, or way past your comfort zone, it’s best to discard it. It might be okay, but you never know.)