✔ Updated · storage times for counter, fridge and freezer, plus thawing steps
Macarons are delicate almond meringue cookies with a creamy filling, so they don't keep like ordinary cookies. Here is exactly how long they last and the best way to store them.
Filled macarons last 1 to 2 days at room temperature, 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator (up to about a week for buttercream or ganache fillings) and up to 3 months in the freezer. Keep them in an airtight container, and let refrigerated macarons sit out for 15 to 30 minutes before eating so the filling softens.
- Counter: 1 to 2 days in a cool room, sturdy fillings only.
- Fridge: 3 to 5 days; best texture after the first 24 hours.
- Freezer: up to 3 months, thawed in the fridge.
- Cream, curd or fresh fruit fillings: always refrigerate and eat within 2 to 3 days.
How Long Macarons Last: Storage Chart
These times are for homemade or bakery macarons with typical buttercream, ganache or jam fillings, kept in an airtight container.
| Storage | Filled macarons | Unfilled shells | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room temperature (below 70°F) | 1 to 2 days | 2 to 3 days | Away from sun, heat and humidity |
| Refrigerator (40°F or below) | 3 to 5 days, up to 7 | About 1 week | Best within 3 days |
| Freezer (0°F) | Up to 3 months | Up to 3 months | Thaw in the fridge |
| Perishable fillings (cream, cream cheese, curd, fresh fruit) | Fridge only, 2 to 3 days | – | Do not leave out more than 2 hours |
Do Macarons Expire or Go Bad?
Yes. Macarons have no preservatives, and the moist filling slowly softens the shells. Over time they go from crisp outside and chewy inside to soggy, sticky or stale, and dairy fillings can spoil.
Store-bought boxes usually carry a best-by date, and many patisseries suggest keeping their macarons refrigerated and eating them within a few days. Frozen grocery-store macarons keep until the date on the box while frozen; once thawed, treat them like fresh ones.
- Soggy or sticky shells that have lost their crisp outer layer: past their best, but safe if stored cold.
- Hard, dry, crumbly shells: stale, usually from being left uncovered.
- Sour smell, off taste, separated or weeping filling: throw them out.
- Any mold on the shell or filling: throw out the whole batch from that container.
How to Store Macarons
- Let them mature. Homemade macarons taste best after 24 hours in the fridge, when the filling softens the inside of the shells.
- Use an airtight container. A rigid container protects the fragile shells and blocks fridge odors. Line it with parchment and stand macarons on their sides or in a single layer.
- Keep them cool and dry. Heat melts the filling and humidity makes the shells sticky, so avoid warm kitchens and direct sun.
- Serve at room temperature. Take refrigerated macarons out 15 to 30 minutes before eating for the best texture and flavor.
How to Freeze and Thaw Macarons
Macarons freeze very well, filled or unfilled, which makes them a good make-ahead dessert for parties and weddings.
- Step 1: Fill the macarons and let them mature in the fridge for 24 hours, or freeze unfilled shells right after they cool.
- Step 2: Arrange them in a single layer in an airtight container, with parchment between any layers.
- Step 3: Label with the date and freeze at 0°F for up to 3 months.
- Step 4: Thaw in the closed container in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. This keeps condensation off the shells.
- Step 5: Move them to the counter for 15 to 30 minutes before serving. Don't refreeze thawed macarons.
Common Storage Mistakes
- Storing macarons uncovered in the fridge, where they dry out and pick up odors.
- Thawing frozen macarons outside the container, so condensation makes the shells wet and sticky.
- Leaving macarons with cream cheese, whipped cream or curd fillings out for hours.
- Stacking them loosely in a bag, which cracks the shells and squashes the filling.
Macarons vs. Macaroons
French macarons are smooth almond-flour meringue sandwich cookies with a filling. Coconut macaroons are dense, chewy mounds of shredded coconut and egg white.
Coconut macaroons are sturdier and keep longer: about 1 week at room temperature in an airtight container, up to 2 weeks in the fridge and up to 3 months frozen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do macarons need to be refrigerated?
Macarons with buttercream, ganache or jam can sit at cool room temperature for 1 to 2 days, but they keep best in the fridge. Macarons filled with cream, cream cheese, curd or fresh fruit must be refrigerated and should not sit out for more than 2 hours.
How long do macarons last in the fridge?
Macarons last 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container, and up to about a week with sturdy buttercream or ganache fillings. They taste best within the first 3 days. Let them sit out for 15 to 30 minutes before serving.
Can you freeze macarons?
Yes. Filled or unfilled macarons freeze well for up to 3 months. Freeze them in a single layer in an airtight container, then thaw them in the closed container in the fridge so condensation does not make the shells sticky.
How long do macarons last unrefrigerated?
Macarons last 1 to 2 days unrefrigerated in an airtight container in a cool, dry room. In warm or humid weather, refrigerate them, because the filling can melt and the shells turn soft and sticky.
How many calories are in a macaron?
A typical bakery-size French macaron has roughly 70 to 100 calories, depending on its size and filling. Larger macarons and those with rich chocolate ganache or buttercream fillings are at the higher end.
