You can make these Texas Sausage Kolaches for breakfast. They have a sweet, fluffy crust around a sausage that is filled with cheese. Skip the donut shop and make your own at home!.
Kolaches are a popular Texan breakfast pastry made with a sweet yeast dough wrapped around a savory filling, usually sausage. Their convenience makes them an on-the-go breakfast staple from donut shops across Texas. But like any perishable food, proper storage is essential for food safety. So do sausage kolaches need to be refrigerated?
The short answer is yes. Sausage kolaches are made with dairy and meat products, meaning they are prone to bacteria growth at room temperature. Refrigeration is necessary to slow bacteria growth and keep kolaches safe to eat for longer.
How Long Do Sausage Kolaches Last At Room Temperature?
Room temperature provides ideal conditions for bacteria to multiply quickly Sausage kolaches left out at room temperature will only last for 2-4 hours before becoming unsafe to eat.
Sausage, cheese, and other dairy products used in the filling go bad quickly and bacteria can grow if they are not kept cold. Bacteria levels can get too high after being out for more than two hours.
Eating kolaches left at room temperature for too long can cause foodborne illness. So it’s crucial to refrigerate kolaches within 2 hours of preparation. Never leave them sitting on the counter overnight.
Fridge Storage For Sausage Kolaches
To make homemade or store-bought sausage kolaches last as long as possible, they need to be kept cool.
In the fridge, kolaches can safely last 3-5 days. The cold temperature keeps bacteria from multiplying too rapidly. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container. Exposure to air speeds up spoilage.
For longer fridge storage, consider freezing instead. Kolaches keep well in the freezer for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before eating.
Reheating Refrigerated Kolaches
After storing in the fridge, kolaches will need a quick reheat before eating. The ideal way is to heat them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds until the filling is warmed through.
You can also reheat in the oven at 300°F for 4-5 minutes if you prefer. Just watch closely to prevent over-baking.
Only reheat the number of kolaches you plan to eat immediately. Don’t reheat the whole batch. Refrigerate leftovers again as soon as possible.
How To Tell If Kolaches Have Gone Bad
If you’re unsure how long kolaches have been sitting out, check for signs of spoilage before eating. Discard any kolaches that are:
- Moldy
- Dried out
- Have an unpleasant sour smell
- Have an off-color or slimy appearance
Sausage fillings that look greyish or smell bad are definite signs of spoilage. When in doubt, throw it out. Don’t risk eating kolaches past their prime.
Food Safety Tips For Sausage Kolaches
Here are some top food safety practices when preparing, storing, and serving kolaches:
- Wash hands and surfaces before handling kolaches
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of preparation
- Store in airtight containers in the fridge
- Reheat to 165°F before serving
- Discard after 3-5 days in the fridge
- Freeze for longer storage up to 2-3 months
- Thaw frozen kolaches in the fridge before reheating
- When reheating, heat fully until steaming hot
- Don’t let kolaches sit at room temp for more than 2 hours
- Check for signs of spoilage before eating
Following proper food safety methods will ensure your kolaches stay fresh and delicious while avoiding the dangers of foodborne bacteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can sausage kolaches sit out?
Sausage kolaches should not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. The filling ingredients are highly prone to bacteria growth.
Can you freeze sausage kolaches?
Yes, freezing is a great way to prolong the shelf life of kolaches up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to eat.
How do you store leftover kolaches?
Leftover kolaches should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for 3-5 days before going bad. Reheat briefly before eating.
Can you reheat kolaches?
Yes, refrigerated kolaches can be safely reheated. Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds until warmed through. You can also reheat in a 300°F oven for 4-5 minutes.
How can you tell if a kolache has gone bad?
Discard kolaches that are moldy, dried out, smell unpleasant or sour, or have an off appearance. Sausage fillings that look grey or smell odd indicate spoilage.
The Bottom Line
Sausage kolaches need to be handled with the same refrigeration guidelines as any perishable food containing dairy and meat. While their portability makes them an ideal grab-and-go breakfast, kolaches left unrefrigerated can pose a serious foodborne illness risk. Always refrigerate within 2 hours of preparation and reheate fully before eating. Following proper storage methods will keep kolaches light, pillowy, and delicious for days!
All about these sausage kolaches…
Texas Kolaches are a hearty breakfast pastry found at most donut shops around the great state of Texas. They are made with a light, fluffy yeast dough that surrounds a sausage. Typically cheese and jalapeno are included.
These pastries came to Texas by way of Czech immigrants. Most Texans will call one of these a KOLACHE (Kol-ah-chee), but Czech Texans will quickly point out that this name refers to the sweet pastry that is filled with fruit jellies. While the sausage variety is technically called a Klobasnek. These are still called Kolaches at the donut shops, and if you order a Sausage Kolache, you will get one of these.
Notes on some ingredients:
- Sausage: classic options would include a polish sausage. Many local donut shops simply use beef hot dogs.
- Sliced or shred cheese will work; just use what you have on hand.
- Jalapeños: for this particular recipe, pickled jalapeños work better. If you have fresh onions on hand and would like to use them, sauté them first before adding them to the recipe.