How Long Do Rice Crackers Last? Storage, Expiration, Pros, Cons

A Rice cracker is a Japanese snack made from non-glutenous or glutenous rice.

Traditionally rice crackers are called Arare (あられ) and Senbei (せんべい) depending on the type.

Most Japanese rice crackers are gluten-free and they are made from more than 90 percent rice.

These crackers are at least 2 times less fatty that the average cracker because they are baked in the oven and not fried.

So, how long do rice crackers last once opened?

Both unopened and opened rice crackers have a very long shelf life.

Assuming that it is properly stored in a cool, dry place and not damaged in any way,

An opened package of rice crackers will generally stay at its best quality for about 1 to 2 months.

To extend the shelf life of opened crackers, keep the package tightly closed with a clip or tie it and store it in your pantry.

Recommendation:

How Long Do Japanese Rice Crackers Last?

The shelf life of Japanese rice crackers will be 1 week under normal atmospheric storage when packed incorporating both oxygen and desiccant absorber.

Once opened, store the crackers in an airtight container.

How To Keep Rice Crackers Fresh

To prevent your rice crackers from getting stale after opening, put them in an airtight container and store them in your pantry.

Alternatively, you can reseal the bag with a twist tie or chip clip instead.

Keep the rice crackers in a cool, dry spot, usually in your pantry.

This way you will rest assured that they will remain fresh and crispy.

When getting your rice crackers from the bag, do not use wet utensils or wet hands as this can cause the remaining crackers to go mold.

Avoid storing it in a location where it will come in contact with water, moisture, or air.

Do Rice Crackers Go Bad?

While it is highly unlikely that rice crackers will just go bad, it is not an impossible thing to happen.

Unfortunately, there is a very high possibility that rice crackers can go bad, grow a bunch of molds, and become rancid.

It isn’t a stretch to imagine that rice crackers could go stale,

This is because the odds of them becoming stale are far higher than their growing mold.

Can You Eat Expired Rice Crackers

Yes, you can eat rice crackers after the printed sell-by-date on the condition that they are properly stored in an undamaged package.

Eating rice crackers for some months past their expiration date won’t harm you,

But you will notice that the crackers have lost their firm consistency, prominent flavor, and crisp texture.
However, if you notice that your rice crackers have become moldy, changed in color, or have a rancid smell, then you should discard the whole package.

What To Do With Rice Crackers?

1. As lunch:

make a delicious lunch with your rice crackers, topping with Egg Salad, Tofu-Eggless Salad, Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad, Ham, and Swiss,

Devilled Ham, Turkey, and Muenster Cheese, Holiday Turkey Sandwich, or Pizza Toppings

2. As emergency pizza:

try pepperoni with mozzarella, a tomato slice, and olives.

Microwave briefly to melt the cheese.

3. As Appetizers:

by keeping rice crackers handy, you can conjure up something delicious to snack on.

4. Make a meal of Rice Crackers:

rice crackers are low-calorie starch to round out any meal.

You can top your rice cracker with a layer of peanut sauce, cooked, cleaned shrimp, and chopped cilantro.

5. As a light dessert or sweet snack:

top with Sliced Bananas and Peanut Butter or Cinnamon Toast Cakes.

How Long Do Rice Crackers Last After Expiration Date?

Rice crackers will still be good to use for up to 2 years after the date marked on the package.

This can only happen if it is properly stored and undamaged.

How Long Do Ritz crackers Last?

Ritz crackers are fine to eat indefinitely.

Unless they show obvious signs of spoilage like mold, stale taste, or crumble into dust they should be just fine to consume.

Recommendation:

10 Best Substitutes For Rice Crackers

1. Cheese and crackers.

Contrary to what a lot of people believe, cheese is a great snack because of its nutritional qualities.

While many people think cheese is merely a treat type of food, they are nutrient-dense food packed with magnesium, protein, and calcium.

When cheese is teamed with a corn-based or whole-grain cracker, it offers a perfect balance of carbohydrates and protein as a filling snack option.

2. Nut-based snack bars

Nut-based snack bars are ideal for a midday snack as they help to restore blood glucose levels and satisfy your appetite when you are hungry.

All nuts are great choices nutritionally

So you can either opt for one of the many nut bar options available in the market or you can team mixed nuts with fresh fruit to achieve nutritional balance.

Go for nut bars that contain fewer than 10g of sugars per serve.

This way you can enjoy your nuts with a little carbohydrate in a tasty, appealing snack.

3. Berries and Greek yogurt

Combining antioxidant-rich berries with calcium-rich Greek yogurt is a great nutritional match.

Not only does the yogurt have a low GI but it also has minimal sugars compared to many fruit yogurts

This means it will help to keep blood glucose levels in check for several hours after eating it.

When it comes to berries, any type either fresh or frozen is packed full of fiber and relatively low in calories

Making them a perfect light alternative for rice crackers.

4. Roasted chickpeas and broad beans.

Roasted chickpeas and broad beans are a great snack alternative for rice cracker as it is low in calories and a good source of fiber and protein.

This combination is also an ideal treat that can last you till your next meal as they can be bought in portion-controlled packs for a perfectly sized snack.

Other rice cracker alternatives are.

5. Fresh celery with almond butter or peanut butter.

6. Whole-grain wrap with peanut butter

7. Pop corn cakes.

These are better alternatives to rice cracker because they have only 3 grams of fiber per 2 cakes.

Can Rice Crackers Mold?

Yes, rice crackers can grow mold. This can occur if the had been left open thereby letting in air and Moisture into the product.

Even a wet hand going into the bag can cause the remaining rice cracker to mold.

A sealed and unopened bag of rice cracker is unlikely to be mold, the only change you will notice when it goes bad is a variation in the color.

To ensure your rice cracker don’t mold, always keep them sealed after use and store them in a location where they won’t come in contact with air, Moisture, or humidity.

Can Rice Crackers Get Rancid?

Although it is unlikely for rice cracks to go bad and become rancid and moldy, the possibility of it happening is very real.

It will first become stale before eventually getting rancid.

Are Rice Crackers Healthier Than Bread?

Rice cakes may be lower in calories than bread,

However, when it comes to other important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fibers bread might be a healthier option.

White bread and rice cracker is slightly different,

But when it comes to whole grain bread or other types of bread, they are nutritionally richer than rice cakes.

To balance this effect, rice cracker could be combined with various toppings or paired with protein and fiber to become nutritionally rich.

Recommendation:

Conclusion

Rice cracker is a popular snack food in many cultures and they have been around for centuries.

They can be a healthy snack option as they are low in fat and calories and are a good source of complex carbohydrates.

Just like all food products, rice cracker can go bad and become stale.

It is important to check the expiration date and do some observation on rice cracker before eating them.
Expired rice crackers may not cause you to fall sick,

But they may be harder to chew or will not taste as fresh as they should.