How to Thaw Frozen Muffins: 4 Ways to Have Them As Soft and Fragrant as If They’re Freshly Made!

Muffins: the hero of quick breakfasts and snack-time saviors. There are endless ways to make them, from blueberry classics to decadent double-chocolate delights. The problem? A batch of muffins tends to be, well, quite large. Unless you’re a muffin-hoarding pro or can down a dozen in one sitting (impressive, if so), you’re likely going to need to freeze some to keep them from going stale.

But when muffin cravings strike and you want to dig into one of those frozen gems, how do you thaw them properly? Let’s break down a few methods to thaw your frozen muffins, ensuring they’re as fluffy, delicious, and snackable as when you first baked them.

How to Thaw Muffins With the Oven or Air Fryer

For those who enjoy a muffin with a bit of warmth, an oven or air fryer is the way to go. It’s the perfect method to replicate that fresh-from-the-oven taste. Here’s how you can do it:

Start by preheating your oven to 300°F (150°C) or, if you’re using an air fryer, set it to a similar temperature. Take your frozen muffin and place it on a baking sheet or in the air fryer basket. No need to thaw it beforehand; you’re aiming to bring it back to life, not slow it down with a layover on the countertop. Let the muffin warm up for about 10-15 minutes, depending on its size. The goal here is to get it soft and fluffy, with just a hint of a toasty top.

One quick note: if you’ve used paper muffin liners, you might want to remove them halfway through heating to avoid any weird soggy-bottom situation. No one needs a muffin that feels like it’s been to a sauna.

How to Thaw Muffins in the Microwave

If patience isn’t your thing (who has the time when you want a muffin, right?), the microwave is your best friend. It’s the fastest way to bring a frozen muffin back to its former glory—just be careful not to overdo it.

Pop your frozen muffin onto a microwave-safe plate and cover it loosely with a damp paper towel. This helps the muffin retain moisture instead of turning into a rubbery hockey puck. Heat the muffin on medium power for about 20-30 seconds. Check it. Is it soft? If not, give it another 10 seconds. The goal is to get it warm and ready without turning it into something more suited for bouncing than eating.

Pro tip: Avoid using high heat, or you’ll risk drying out the muffin faster than a sunbaked desert.

How to Defrost Muffins Overnight in the Refrigerator

If you’re planning ahead (kudos to you for such foresight), the refrigerator is your best bet for a slow and steady thaw. It’s a gentler method, which helps maintain the muffin’s original texture and prevents any sudden moisture loss.

Here’s the game plan: The night before you plan to eat your muffin, take it out of the freezer and place it in the fridge. You don’t need to wrap it in anything extra (assuming it’s already frozen in an airtight container or wrapped), just let it sit overnight. By morning, the muffin will be thawed but still cool, like it’s been on vacation. You can eat it straight from the fridge or pop it in the oven for a few minutes if you prefer it warm.

Thawing Muffins at Room Temperature: Is It Safe?

Room temperature thawing is the wild card of muffin defrosting. Yes, it can be done, but should it? That depends on how long you’re willing to wait. If you leave a muffin on the counter for an hour or two, it’ll thaw, but you risk it drying out a bit.

The good news is that it’s safe as long as you don’t leave it sitting out too long. Muffins are pretty resilient, but after about 4-5 hours at room temperature, you’re venturing into the “stale and sad” territory. So, if you choose this method, keep an eye on the clock (and your stomach, since muffin cravings don’t usually wait).

Can You Refreeze Thawed Muffins?

Ah, the age-old question: to refreeze or not to refreeze? While you can refreeze a muffin that has been thawed, it’s not exactly recommended. Refreezing can change the texture and dry out the muffin, especially if it’s gone through the microwave or oven heating process. However, if you’ve thawed a muffin overnight in the fridge and decide you don’t want it after all (hard to imagine, but hey, it happens), you could technically refreeze it. Just keep in mind that the quality might not be quite as high the second time around.

If you do refreeze, be sure to wrap the muffin tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container to keep it from drying out in the freezer. But, honestly, once you’ve thawed one of these baked beauties, why not just eat it?