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Who doesn’t like cannolis? After all, they’re crispy, creamy, and perfect for a dessert after a filling, savory meal! It’s only rarely that you’re left with some leftover cannolis that need sorting out.
And let’s not forget, storing them is a bit of a challenge as they are highly perishable.
Coming straight to the point, cannolis needs to be refrigerated to increase its shelf life. To be more precise, they can stay at room temperature for not more than 2 hours.
Want to know why? Well, let’s read further to learn exactly how cannolis need to be refrigerated!
The rest of this article will cover the ins and outs of storing cannolis so that they remain fresh and crisp:
- How to store cannolis in the fridge?
- Tips to store cannolis in the fridge to avoid sogginess
- Steps to Know if cannolis have gone bad
Why Do the Cannolis Need Refrigeration? (All You Need to Know)
The answer is simple! Cannolis contain dairy-based filling (ricotta cheese) that can spoil if not stored properly. According to the USDA, you should consume perishable foods like cannolis within an hour or two if stored at room temperature.
The key is to store it below 40°F at room temperature and consume it within 2 hours. For the regions having higher temperatures, it’s recommended to never put cannolis at room temperature for more than an hour.
On the other hand, if you refrigerate cannolis, they can stay fresh for up to 3 days.
Note: If you notice any foul smell or change in color in your cannoli cream, it’s time to discard it. Because bacteria proliferate faster on dairy products causing them to degrade. It’s recommended to watch out for any off smell, changes in taste, and color!
Want to learn more about refrigerating cannolis wrt its components? Read more!
Cannoli Shells
It’s not necessary to refrigerate cannoli shells. On the contrary, they can stay more crisp and fresh when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to several days.
You can also refrigerate cannoli shells for up to 3 days. On the other hand, filled cannoli shells must be refrigerated for up to 3 days to increase their shelf life.
Cannoli Cake
Yes, cannoli cake must always be refrigerated due to the dairy filling and frosting on the top.
Any food containing dairy products like cream and cheese is highly perishable and more prone to spoilage. It’s recommended to refrigerate cannoli cake in an airtight container.
Cannoli Cream
Like the cannoli cake, cannoli cream must also be stored in a tightly sealed container in the fridge. Use your refrigerated cannoli cream within 3 days for better flavor. If you don’t plan to use cannoli cream within 3 days, it’s recommended to freeze it.
Cannoli Dip
Like any other dairy product, cannoli dip needs to be kept in a refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.
LEARN MORE: Should Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Be Refrigerated Before Baking?
How Long Can Cannolis Stay Unrefrigerated? (Without Compromising Flavor)
It’s difficult to generalize how long cannolis can stay unrefrigerated as it depends upon various factors, including how fresh the cannolis were when you bought them?
And your room temperature. However, cannolis can stay unrefrigerated for 1 to 2 hours.
If you keep them in the fridge, they can last for about 2 to 3 days.
Safe Way Store Cannolis in the Fridge (3-step Guide)
While it’s better to store cannoli cream in the refrigerator, it’s recommended to store cannoli shells in airtight containers at room temperature or freeze the shells for more shelf life.
However, if you’re planning on storing filled cannolis, follow this 3-step guide to make your cannolis last longer.
- Take each filled cannoli and wrap it tightly in a plastic wrap.
- Now wrap each plastic-wrapped cannoli in aluminum foil such that no air spaces are left.
- Place the wrapped cannolis in an airtight container before storing them in the fridge.
Note: The cannolis can stay refrigerated for up to 3 days if stored this way. It’s recommended to place cannolis in an airtight container before storing them in the refrigerator to not catch moisture and become soggy.
Tips to Store Cannolis in the Fridge to Avoid Sogginess
Follow these quick and easy tips to store cannolis in the fridge to prevent sogginess.
- Try to store cannolis shells and cream separately in the refrigerator and assemble only when you’re ready to serve.
- Wrap each cannoli using a plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil so that air cannot come into contact with the cannolis.
- Only place your cannolis in an airtight container once you’ve wrapped them into plastic and aluminum wraps to prolong their shelf life.
- The wrapped cannolis shells and cream must be placed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge right away to prevent any sogginess.
- Another great tip is to coat your cannolis with melted chocolate and store in the fridge to prevent soggy shells.
However, we do not recommend refrigerating filled cannolis for more than a few hours. This way, the cream will seep into the shells, resulting in soggy cannolis.
LEARN MORE: Does Guanciale Need to Be Refrigerated?
3 Easy Steps to Know if Cannolis Have Gone Bad
Follow these 3 easy steps to know whether your cannolis have gone bad or they are safe to consume.
Smell It
The smell test is the easiest way to detect if your cannolis has gone bad. If you experience any off smell in your cannolis, it’s better to discard them than risk your health.
Observe the Color
The next step is the color test. Any yellow patches in your cannolis cream confirm spoilage. Moreover, watch out for any green, blue or grayish spots on your cream as it indicates spoilage caused by mold.
Taste It
If you notice any sour taste in your cannoli filling, it also indicates spoilage. It’s better to leave your cannolis than risk your health in such cases.
Is It Healthy to Freeze Cannoli?
It’s healthy to freeze cannolis; however, they won’t taste as amazing as the fresh ones. The cream will penetrate the cannoli shells upon thawing, making the cannolis soggy and distasteful.
If you plan to freeze cannolis, we only recommend freezing the cream in an airtight container for up to a month.
Conclusion
It’s recommended to refrigerate cannolis right away if you don’t intend to consume them within an hour or two. However, feel free to freeze the cannolis in case you want to last them longer.
Lastly, make sure to watch out for any signs of spoilage like a bad smell, change in color, or sour taste in your cannoli filling, as it can potentially cause food poisoning.
Now that you’ve learned why and how cannolis need to be refrigerated, we hope you’ll always have your cannolis fresh and crisp.
