How to Store Profiteroles or Cream Puffs (Filled & unfilled)

Profiteroles are a delicious dessert of French, made with choux paste and filled with whipped cream, ice cream, and dulce de leche, among others (you can check the specific storage guideline by clicking on the link). In addition, they usually glaze with hot chocolate. But how can we properly preserve profiteroles?

Unfilled profiteroles can last two days at room temperature in a cool, dry place. They can last a week in the fridge, and if frozen, they can be in good condition for three months. If you fill the profiteroles, you should store them in the refrigerator.

If you want to know the best ways to save profiteroles, continue reading.

Store profiteroles without filling at room temperature

The dough used for profiteroles is soft. Therefore, they are a bit delicate after baking, so it is best to leave them for a short time at room temperature.

But if there is no option, they can be saved as follows:

Step 1: Wait for them to cool down.

If you do not let them cool, the steam will produce moisture and ruin the paste.

Step 2: Place inside a container.

The container can be one with a lid or airtight. Arrange the profiteroles side by side. You can also place others on top, but you must put a layer of parchment paper between them.

Step 3: Store in a dark and cool place.

The light or direct heat should not stay in contact with profiteroles. In addition, look for a dry, moisture-free place. This way, they can retain their freshness for up to 2 days.

Keep the profiteroles without filling in the fridge

It represents a good storage option when you want to advance some steps in the preparation.

However, you need to follow the guidelines step by step; otherwise, the profiteroles could absorb moisture from the fridge and the tastes and smells of the other foods.

To avoid this, you have to follow the following steps:

Step 1: Wait for them to cool.

Cooling down prevents the dough from appeasing since the steam condenses inside the container if it is hot.

Step 2: Arrange in an airtight container.

Covering the container with parchment paper would be best since it protects the profiteroles from absorbing odors from other foods or developing moisture. Then, place the profiteroles right next to each other.

Step 3: Put in the fridge.

Preferably at the bottom, where the temperature is more stable. In this way, they will remain in good condition for a week.

Freeze profiteroles without filling

Can profiteroles be frozen without filling? Due to the texture of the dough, profiteroles freeze very well and represent a better option than the fridge, especially if you plan to use them after a week.

To do it properly, you have to follow these steps:

Step 1: Let cool.

Do not put the hot profiteroles in the refrigerator, as that would affect the consistency of the dough.

Step 2: Place parchment paper on a tray.

Accommodate the profiteroles next to each other and leave a space between them.

Step 3: Freeze for a couple of hours.

Put the tray in the freezer until the buns freeze.

Step 4: Store in an airtight container or bag.

Move the profiteroles inside a container or airtight bag suitable for the freezer.

Step 5: Label the container.

Write the current date of storage on the container.

Step 6: Place the container in the freezer.

Since you followed all these steps, you are ready to store the profiteroles in the freezer, maintaining good quality. Frozen profiteroles may last approximately three months.

You must be very careful to follow the steps and deadlines I am giving you to freeze the profiteroles since poor storage can generate the conditions for the appearance of salmonella, as this study demonstrates. [1]

When it comes to thawing them, it is advisable to transfer them to the fridge one day before, and in this way, they are slowly melting. Then put them in the oven for a few minutes, and they will be crispy again.

How to preserve filled profiteroles?

I recommend storing the filled profiteroles for a short time due to the soft consistency of the dough. Also, the humidity of the filling would quickly affect it.

It is best to store the profiteroles without filling them. Still, if you have stuffed them, you can put them in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

It is advisable to leave them within an hour at room temperature.

In addition, usually, the filling does not freeze well, so freezing is not an option either. That’s why the fridge is the best storage option for filled profiteroles.

If you buy profiteroles in any pastry shop, you should eat them the same day since it is unknown how long they have been stuffed and/or glazed.

Therefore, I do not recommend saving the profiteroles purchased for more than 24 hours.

Can profiteroles’ dough (choux paste) be stored?

Of course! In this way, you can work on the recipe in advance.

You can store it in the fridge for about three days, putting a layer of plastic wrap on the dough so that it does not dry out or form a hard shell.

You can also freeze it, and to do it, you must follow these steps:

Step 1: Put parchment paper on a tray.

And with the pastry sleeve, make the balls of the profiteroles, leaving a space between them.

Step 2: Freeze.

Put the tray in the freezer for a few hours, but I advise you to leave it for 24 hours so it will freeze perfectly.

Step 3: Move to an airtight container.

When you arrange them, leave a little space in between, and place parchment paper if others are going to be placed on top to prevent them from adhering to those below.

The container must be freezer-safe. The pieces of dough may last between 1 and 3 months, but the recommendation is to bake before the end of the first month to ensure better quality.

It is desirable to thaw them by placing them in the fridge. However you can put the dough directly in the oven, but it will take longer to cook.

How do you know when profiteroles are bad?

As with most meals, you may notice when the profiteroles are in poor condition and ready to discard. Those conditions are:

It has a bad smell.
It doesn’t taste good.
There is the presence of mold.

How long do profiteroles last?

Product	Duration time
Profiteroles at room temperature (unfilled)	2 days
Profiteroles in the fridge (unfilled)	1 week
Frozen profiteroles (unfilled)	3 months
Profiteroles in the fridge (filled)	3 days
Choux paste in the fridge	3 days
Frozen choux paste	3 months

What is the best way to store profiteroles?

The best way to store unfilled profiteroles is to freeze them since they will last for a few months.

However, they can be left at room temperature for a couple of days, in a cool, dry place, inside a container with a lid.

On the other hand, it is best to store the stuffed profiteroles in the fridge for a couple of days because the filling or glaze moistens the profiteroles.

In addition, the fillings usually freeze poorly; therefore, it is advisable to keep the profiteroles unfilled. If you bought profiteroles in the pastry shop, eat them immediately.

You can also save Choux paste, and the best way to do this is to freeze it in the form of profiterole itself, so you won’t need to thaw everything, just the ones you need.

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