Does Pudding Need to be Refrigerated? (Quick Storage Tips)

Quick answer: Yes, pudding needs to be refrigerated once opened to maintain its freshness and safety. Refrigeration is especially important for ready-to-eat pudding cups to prevent spoilage. Dry pudding mix, on the other hand, can be stored in a cool, dry place until use.

Table 1: Types of Pudding and Their Storage Recommendations

Welcome to the wonderful world of pudding! Whether you’re a fan of chocolate, vanilla, butterscotch, banana, or pistachio, pudding has a flavor for everyone. It’s that dessert we all secretly adore.

While we can’t endorse having pudding for every meal (as much as we’d love to), there’s no denying its delicious versatility. You can enjoy it in a bowl, bake it into pies, mix it with rice, or even freeze it into mouth watering pudding popsicles. And let’s not forget the convenience of ready-to-eat pudding cups – a delightful treat anytime, anywhere.

What do all these pudding varieties have in common? Our genuine love for them, of course! Picking a favorite would be as tough as choosing the best ice cream flavor.

Now, let’s tackle an important question: how should you store pudding? It can be a bit confusing with so many options. Should it chill in the fridge, sit in the pantry, or even go along for the ride in your purse for a quick snack?

Well, the good news is that we share your passion for pudding! We’ve done the research so you don’t have to guess. Join us as we dive into the world of pudding storage, and together, we’ll uncover the sweet truth. After all, the proof is in the pudding!

Does Pudding Need to be Refrigerated?

Yes and no. This answer isn’t quite as clear cut as you may think. That’s because pudding comes in a variety of different forms! There’s packaged pudding, snack pack pudding, pre-made decadent pudding and more. 

Even in the grocery store, pudding can be found in different areas. You can find it in the snack aisle, the baking aisle and the dairy section. So, how do we tackle this perplexing problem?

Don’t you worry – we’re going to break it all down for you!

First and foremost, all pudding must be refrigerated once opened! So, remember this: yes, opened pudding needs to go in the fridge. (*)

Now, let’s dive a little deeper.

Which Pudding Cups Need Refrigeration?

Snack cups are a favorite of kids and adults alike. They are a common lunch treat and a quick dessert option. Versatility and convenience is the name of the game!

So, how do you know which pudding cups to refrigerate? Which ones are safe to sit in your pantry?

To determine this, we recommend relying on two important factors.

• What does the packaging say?
• Where was it in the store?

The packaging is always going to state where you should store your pudding. This is your first line of defense against food borne illness. Keep it where the manufacturers recommend!

There is another fool proof method to determine how to correctly store your pudding. Just remember where you got it in the first place! The grocery store will have it stored properly. 

If you find pudding cups in the refrigerated section, store them in the fridge. If they were in the fridge before, return them there. However, if you found pudding cups in the dry goods section, you can safely store them in your pantry.

These pudding cups are processed to be shelf-stable. Either heat processing or aseptic packaging makes pudding cups safe to store at room temperature.

Snack cups are generally shelf-stable. Ready to eat cups typically require refrigeration. 

Table of Pudding Storage Based on Packaging

Learn more: Rice Pudding Mistakes You Need to Avoid (Plus Solutions!)

Is Powdered Pudding Mix Shelf-stable?

As you may have gathered by the grocery store location, powdered pudding mix is shelf-stable. The box can sit in your pantry or cupboard until you are ready to use it. No worries!

Here are a few tips to help keep the powdered pudding in excellent condition:

• Store in original packaging
• Store in a cool, dry place
• Avoid heat and moisture sources

But, once you make that delicious pudding, should you put it in the refrigerator?

The answer is yes. Often, it actually says so right in the cooking directions! As an added bonus, the cool temperatures of your refrigerator will help your pudding set faster. 

If you’re being sensible and have leftover pudding, store those leftovers in the refrigerator. For safekeeping, put extra pudding into a container with a lid. This will prevent contamination, ultimately preserving the quality of your pudding. 

Stored like this, your pudding will stay delicious. So, get your spoon ready… Tomorrow’s dessert is already decided!

What is The Shelf-life of Pudding?

For pudding cups, refer to the expiration date on the package. This is set by the manufacturer. It’s based on food safety guidelines and scientifically backed.

A Quick Table of Pudding Expiration Guide

Dry pudding mix is safe on the shelf until the expiration date. Some food writers and chefs argue that it will last even longer. We recommend using your own discretion here!

Prepared pudding that is exposed to air has a dramatic decrease in shelf life. So, always keep it in the refrigerator. Even stored in the fridge, it will only last between 4 and 7 days. 

As fellow pudding lovers, we can’t imagine it would last this long anyway!

The Final Scoop

In this article we covered storage recommendations for a variety of pudding types. Here are the critical facts:

• Once prepared and exposed to air, refrigerate it
• Pay attention to grocery store storage methods
• Refer to the packaging for refrigeration requirements

By following these simple recommendations, you’ll keep this dessert in great condition. You can enjoy it in its freshest, most delicious form. As well, these recommendations will help keep you healthy and happy!

What is your favorite way to enjoy pudding? Do you have a favorite flavor? Are you a die-hard for the stovetop kind, or do you prefer snack cups?

We always enjoy interacting with our readers, so we would love to hear from you! Feel free to share your experiences with us.