What better way to finish off a meal than with a tasty helping of flan?
It’s impossible to beat that winning combination of silky caramel and smooth custard, isn’t it?
If there are two flavors that go better together, I’d like to know what they are because as far as I’m concerned, flan has no equal!
Not only is it delicious, but it’s also pretty simple to make.
With just a handful of basic ingredients, you can whip up a dessert classic that’s been a favorite of millions the world over for generations.
Of course, one of the things that makes flan so unique (aside from its mouthwatering flavor), is its delicate structure – a well-made flan is truly a sight to behold – it’s a jewel of culinary beauty.
However, while the taste of flan might endure, the flan itself has a short shelf life because of its usage of eggs as an ingredient. With this in mind, you’ll need to be aware of how long you can expect flan to last.
In general, don’t expect flan to last (safely) for more than a few hours at room temperature after you’ve served it. To extend the shelf-life of your flan, you can refrigerate it. Flan that is refrigerated and stored properly can last for up to five days.
In this article, we’ll cover all the ways in which you can enjoy your flan to the fullest for as long as possible.
Keep in mind we’ll only be discussing refrigeration.
For tips and tricks on freezing your flan, check out our article on it.
Does Flan Need to Be Refrigerated?
Yes, if you aren’t going to eat the flan you’ve prepared soon after making it, then yes, it’s a good idea to refrigerate it to prevent it from spoiling.
Can Flan Be Left Out Overnight?
No, you shouldn’t leave flan out overnight. Eggs are one of flan’s primary ingredients and because of this, you need to be aware of how long your flan has been left out.
As a rule of thumb, if you don’t plan on eating your flan within a three to four hour window, stick it in the fridge.
If you happen to forget about it overnight and awaken to find it on the kitchen counter the following morning, don’t be tempted to try to save it or reheat it.
Throw it out!
Does Flan Spoil if Not Refrigerated?
Yes, flan can definitely spoil after a few hours if not refrigerated for a period of more than a few hours.
Do You Refrigerate Flan After Baking?
The answer to this depends on why you might be refrigerating your flan.
As we’ve discussed, it’s always a good idea to put any flan you don’t plan on enjoying right away (or within a couple of hours of making it) in the fridge. But this is just to preserve your dessert, so it keeps for later.
The other reason you’d refrigerate flan after baking is to help the custard set.
Once you’ve finished baking your flan, allow it to cool and reach room temperature. This usually will take less than an hour. As an option to speed this process along, you could swap out the hot water in the bain marie with cold water.
Whether or not you try this shortcut, after the flan has cooled sufficiently, transfer it to the fridge so that the dessert has a chance to fully set.
For best results, keep your dessert cold overnight, but if that’s not an option, do your best to keep it refrigerated for a few hours.
How Do You Store Flan?
You can easily store flan by wrapping the baking dish you used with plastic wrap. Just ensure that it clings tightly so that no unwanted odors from your fridge seep inside and affect the flavor of the custard.
Most custards, including flan, will readily absorb odors from their surrounding environment, so if you’re at all uncomfortable (or unsure) then another option would be to transfer the flan to an airtight container.
Either way is fine, just do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.
How Long Can Flan Go Unrefrigerated?
Because flan is a custard which is made with as eggs as one of the main ingredients, it’s not recommended to leave it unrefrigerated for longer than four hours.
How Long Does Flan Last in the Refrigerator?
If you’ve sealed your flan properly, either by using plastic wrap on the baking dish or by transferring the dessert to an airtight container, you can expect your flan to last up to five days with refrigeration.
Can I Put Warm Flan in the Fridge?
If you can avoid putting warm flan in the fridge, it’s a good idea. A better approach would be to allow your flan to reach room temperature prior to putting it in the fridge to set.