Oats last a lot longer than most perishable items, but they most definitely can go bad.
Which got us wondering, does oatmeal go bad?
What Does the Expiration Date Mean on Oatmeal?
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
But if you check on the package, youll almost always see that oatmeal does have an expiration date.
The date listed on your container of bag of oats indicates when quality might start to decline.
Does Oatmeal Go Bad?
Credit: Andy Lyons
But just because this is a best by date doesnt mean that grains cant spoil.Oatmeal can go bad.
The three most common causes for spoilage: temperature fluctuations, moisture, and rancid oil.
And if oats are exposed to moisture, they can develop mold.
Rolled oats are steamed and toasted as part of their normalprocessing, which makes them more stable.
Little bugs can also find their way in if the oats arent in a fully sealed vessel.
(Were dishing up several awesome recipes with oats below to help make this goal easy to accomplish.)
How Long Do Oats Last?
Theres no need to sprint through your stock, though.
When stored correctly, oats have a fairly long shelf life of about 1 year after opening.
If your oats are sold in a bag with a resealable top, that works too.
you’re able to also transfer oats to a zip-top bag andfreeze themfor up to 1 year.
Test Kitchen Tip:Another great option is to vacuum seal packages of oats.
This extends shelf life and ensures no bugs can get in.
Speaking of the freezer, you might also freeze prepared oats.
But these are far from the only ways to employ oats.
