If you resonate with my feelings, there’s no alternative to the indulgent aroma of your morning oatmeal. However, have you ever pondered what happens when you take that initial bite?
You can prepare a quick and easy breakfast from oatmeal like Peanut Butter Oatmeal, Banana Oatmeal, Savory Oatmeal, Oatmeal Cookie,…
Oatmeal is one of those foods that people often assume has an expiration date on it — that is until they realize that it doesn’t.
In fact, oatmeal doesn’t have a shelf life or an expiration date at all.
It is safe to eat as long as it is stored properly.
Does oatmeal expire?
The short answer is no.
Oats don’t have an expiration date because they are made from oats, which are naturally dried grains.
However, there is some science behind why oatmeal doesn’t spoil over time.
It’s because the oats are dried using hot air, which kills off most bacteria and fungi.
That means that oatmeal can be stored safely for a very long time.
According to Food Safety News, “A study published by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture found that oats could be stored at room temperature for up to five years without spoiling.”
That said, oatmeal will only stay good for so long before it starts to get stale.
The USDA recommends storing oatmeal in glass containers and keeping them out of direct sunlight.
How long does oatmeal last?
Once you open a jar of oatmeal, it should last for up to two weeks.
If stored correctly, this will allow you to make enough oatmeal to last about six months.
When buying oatmeal, look for brands that use whole grain oats instead of refined ones, since these are more nutritious and flavorful.
Store-bought oatmeal also lasts longer than making it yourself.
How do you know when oatmeal expires?
You might want to check the date on the package, but that isn’t always accurate.
Oatmeal can start to lose its flavor and texture after just a few days, so it’s better to taste it regularly and decide whether or not it tastes good to you.
It’s important to note that oatmeal doesn’t have an expiration date, so you can’t really tell how old it is simply by looking at the label.
However, you can determine how long it will last based on the amount of time you plan on using it.
What happens if you eat expired oatmeal?
There are many reasons why you may eat expired oatmeal, but none of them are good.
For example, you may find that your oatmeal is no longer tasty or that it has gone rancid.
Or, it may have lost its crunchiness.
If you buy oatmeal that has been sitting around too long, it won’t taste good anymore.
In fact, it can even cause digestive issues like stomach pain.
And while oatmeal itself is fine to eat, the container it came in can become toxic if it contains food safety hazards like mold, dirt, or insect parts.
What do you do with expired oatmeal?
If you bought oatmeal that you didn’t intend to eat right away, you can still eat it if you follow the following guidelines:
- Keep it refrigerated.
- Don’t let it come into contact with heat sources like microwaves or ovens.
- Use it within a week or two.
How do you store oatmeal to keep it fresh?
If you bought a large batch of oatmeal and don’t need it right away, consider freezing it in individual portions.
This allows you to take out exactly what you need and thaw it on demand.
Make sure to freeze the oatmeal in zip-top freezer bags or plastic containers to avoid freezer burn and prevent moisture from building up inside the bag.
You can also put the oatmeal in Tupperware containers for easy storage.
Just make sure to remove the lid and add a piece of parchment paper between the lid and the oats to prevent condensation from forming on the inside of the container.
To help prolong the shelf life of your oatmeal, you should store it in a cool, dry place.
Ideally, it should be kept in the refrigerator, but if you’re not able to keep it cold, then you can store it in the pantry or on top of the fridge.
Is oatmeal perishable?
Oatmeal is considered a nonperishable food, meaning that it can be stored safely for a long time.
But, it still needs to be stored properly to maintain its quality and taste.
Just make sure to keep it out of the sun and away from heat sources, and you should be fine.
Does Quaker oatmeal expire?
Quaker oatmeal is a popular brand of instant oatmeal sold in boxes that contain multiple servings.
Because it’s packaged in small batches, each box can be used for several meals.
But, unlike other varieties of oatmeal, Quaker oatmeal has an expiration date.
According to Quaker’s website, the product is “good for up to three years” if stored in a cool, dry place.
How long does uncooked oatmeal last?
As mentioned earlier, oatmeal is naturally dried grains, so it can be stored safely for a long time.
But, once you cook it, it loses much of its nutritional value.
So, unless you plan to eat it right away, you should cook it first.
Cooking oatmeal requires minimal effort.
Simply add water, stir, and bring to a boil.
Once the mixture boils, reduce the heat and simmer for four minutes.
Remove the pan from the stove and cover it with a lid until the oatmeal reaches a consistency that you prefer.
Microwave Oatmeal Cookie
Equipment
- 1 microwave
Ingredients
- 1 Oats
- 1 Flour
- 1 Sodium bicarbonate
- 1 Sucrose
- 1 Cinnamon
- 1 Sauce apples
- 1 Vanilla
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking powder, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Mix well.
- Add apple sauce, stirring to combine.
- Pour in the vanilla extract.
- Blend.
- Add chocolate chips to the bowl, and stir well.
- Apply a thin layer of oil to a microwave-safe plate or bowl. Press the cookie onto the plate.
- Heat in the microwave oven. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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