Did you know that the average American buys around 2.7 billion cereals per year? (*)The numbers may be out of this world, but it’s true.
If you’re one of them, you most likely have an old box of cereals in your pantry, and you’re still figuring out whether or not it’s safe for consumption. So does cereal go bad?
Cereals won’t expire, but they won’t retain their freshness and quality forever.
But before you decide to discard that old box of cereal, you may want to read this article first.
When you do, you’ll also discover the answers to the following questions:
Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s get it on!
Does Cereal Go Bad?
Not really. Cereals don’t expire. However, its flavor, quality, and freshness will change over time.
If that’s the case, then what’s the printed date for?
The printed date on the cereal box is not an expiration date but rather a best before or best by date. (*)
Did you Know?
Best before dates indicate quality and not safety. It’s most commonly found in frozen foods, canned items, and dried goods like rice, cereals, and pasta.
The date signifies when you can enjoy the product at its freshest and best quality.
If this is the case, can you still eat expired cereal?
Since cereals don’t expire, you can still eat them beyond the printed date as long as there are no signs of spoilage. But there’s a catch: don’t expect the cereal to retain its texture and taste if it has been stored for months to years in the pantry.
How Long Can Cereal Stay Good For?
With that said, when can cereals retain their best quality? This would depend on a wide range of factors, including:
1. Type of Ingredients Added
Plain cereals last the longest. However, the shelf life of cereal will be shortened if it includes other ingredients that are prone to quality loss. These include (but are not limited to) nuts and whole wheat.
If the cereals are fortified with vitamins and minerals, you may not be able to enjoy its full nutritional benefit months after the printed date.
On the other hand, cereals containing dried fruits and certain flavorings are prone to spoilage after a few years.
2. Whether It’s Opened or Unopened
As expected, opened cereals will lose their freshness faster than unopened cereals. In addition, since the opened cereals are already exposed to air, they will lose their crunch and flavor earlier than unopened cereals.
To help you out, we’ve prepared this simple table for you:
| Type of Cereal | Shelf Life |
| Plain Cereal (Unopened) | Best by + 6 to 12 months |
| Cereal (Opened) | 4 to 6 months |
| Cereal with fruits and other ingredients | Best by + 3 to 6months |
| Homemade Cereal | 3 to 4 days |
Keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It will all depend on the ingredients used and the storage method.
Pro Tip: Since the longevity of cereal is a case-to-case basis, it’s always best that you check the cereals for any signs of spoilage. If the cereal passed your quality check, you could still use them. If not, you might want to check out the different ways to use cereals.
How Can You Tell if Cereal is Bad?
With that said, how can you determine if the quality or freshness of the cereal has already deteriorated? Here are some of the signs to watch out for:
1. Presence of Bugs and Insects
If the box has been in your pantry for months to years, you should check if insects are inside. This is because pantry bugs or weevils are attracted to dry food items like cereals. (*)
2. Moldy Flakes
If water has found its way to your cereals, there’s a high chance that mold will grow in the cereal flakes. If you’ve noticed green, white, or dark spots in the cereals, throw them immediately to avoid unwanted symptoms. (*)
3. Plastic-like smell
The most common indication that cereals have already started to lose their quality would be rancidity. This is often characterized by a weird, foul odor, specifically a paint- or plastic-like smell.
If your cereal has this smell, discard it as soon as possible. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
4. Lack of Crunch
If the cereal is no longer crunchy, it has already become stale. Therefore, we suggest that you don’t consume it anymore as it’s no longer enjoyable to eat.
Did You Know?
You can bring stale cereal back to life! All you need to do is pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, spread the stale cereal evenly on a sheet pan and bake it for 5 to 10 minutes. Let it cool down, and voila—you have a crunchy cereal!
Is it OK to eat expired cereal?
It is generally not a good idea to eat expired cereal. It can go stale if it is stored in a dry place for too long. The vitamins and minerals in the cereal may also lose their potency over time, making them less nutritious. Finally, old cereal may contain harmful bacteria that can cause stomach upset or other health problems.
Learn more:
How to Store Cereal to Keep it Fresh for Longer?
If not stored properly, there’s a chance that the cereal will lose its freshness faster than expected. To preserve its freshness, proper storage is a must. Here are some tips on how to store cereal the right way:
1. Store It In A Dark, Dry and Cool Place.
The worst enemies of cereals are moisture and air. Exposure to both elements will lead to a change in texture and taste, so you should avoid it.
Pro Tip: You should store cereals in a dark, dry, and cool place like your kitchen pantry.
2. Keep Cereal in an airtight container.
If you want to protect cereal from insect infestation and air, transferring them to an airtight container is the best move. This is especially important for opened cereal boxes.
If the cereal box hasn’t been opened, you can store it as is. Just make sure that your pantry is free of bugs and other insects.
Pro Tip: If your cereal contains dried fruits and nuts, we recommend placing them in an airtight container even if the box is still unopened. This is important to prevent the other ingredients from drying.
Learn more: How long is yogurt good after expiration date?
What are the Different Ways to Use Expired Cereals?
Should you throw out cereals that are no longer fresh? Throwing it out seems the way to go, but did you know that there are many other ways to use stale cereals? Here are some of them:
1. Bake with it.
Even though stale cereal has lost its crunch, it’s still packed with flavors. You can use it as toppings for muffins, cupcakes, brownies, and even cakes.
2. Use it as a substitute for breadcrumbs.
You can use it as breadcrumb substitutes for cooking breaded or crusted chicken dishes. Pro Tip: Stale corn cereals are the best options for this.
3. Turn it into a pie crust.
If you plan on making pies but don’t have graham crackers, we recommend using crushed cereals instead.
The Bottom Line
Does cereal go bad? They won’t expire, but you can expect their texture to change over time.
If the cereals only lost its crunch, you can still use them in many other ways. For example, you can always try out the simple hack we’ve shared.
On the other hand, we recommend throwing it out if there are signs of spoilage like mold growth, rancidity, and insect infestation.
Up Next: The Ideal Shelf Life of Flour, Grains, and Wheat
