Rice Krispy treats are irresistible sweet treats that countless adults and kids are fond of.
This breakfast cereal is produced by Albertsons companies, one of the US’s leading food and drug retailers.
Such treats are delectable and come in big packets that can satisfy your cravings. However, since the packet is more than enough for everyone to finish in one eating, your rice Krispies cereal requires proper storage.
Kellogg’s rice Krispies are dry cereal known for their extended shelf life.
Nonetheless, they can eventually go bad because they contain butter; improper storage can also affect their taste.
Determine the proper handling of your favorite cereal treats by flipping through the post below.
What is Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Cereal Made of, and What are Their Flavorings?
Rice Krispies treats cereal comes in different flavors, which is why its ingredients mainly depend on the flavor you buy.
You can check the list of ingredients on the product’s packet.
The marshmallow cereal treats usually include Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal, marshmallows, and butter.
You can choose from diverse rice Krispy treats flavors available. Interestingly, Kellogg’s has been continuously producing new Krispie treat flavors to delight consumers and gratify their discerning preferences.
Their target is to retain the key ingredients of their breakfast cereal but modify some of their additives and flavorings.
The different rice crispy treats flavors you can select from include:
- Caramel and marshmallow
- Strawberry
- Original Rice Krispies marshmallow treats
- Birthday cake
- Double chocolate chunk
- Cookies and Cream
- Delightfully chocolatey
How Long Does Rice Krispies Treats Cereal Last?
Generally, Kellogg’s rice Krispie treat will last for several months or even years beyond their “best by dates” or expiry date.
Still and all, don’t expect them to remain fresh, crunchy, and tasty past their “best by dates.”
An unopened and tightly sealed rice Krispy treats packet can preserve its quality for up to one year beyond its expiry date.
But, opened cereal may usually last for a few months before it becomes stale.
How Can I Store Rice Krispies Cereal to Retain Its Freshness, Flavor, and Crunch?
Storing your opened cereal treats in an airtight container allows them to remain fresh for a few days.
For all that, if you prefer extending their freshness for an extended time, particularly for six weeks, consider putting them inside the freezer.
Be sure to store them in an airtight container when you freeze them.
It is best to wrap the breakfast cereal with wax paper or non-stick tin foil and place them inside an airtight container, Ziplock, or freezer bag.
This method significantly helps extend your rice Krispie treats shelf life for up to three months.
What External Elements Affect the Quality of Rice Krispie Treats?
It’s worth mentioning that rice Krispies treats will only spoil themselves with other external elements that cause them to go bad.
Many external factors can cause rice Krispie treats to be stale and taste bad.
You must carefully examine your Krispie treats before pouring more cereal into your bowl.
Here are some of the spoilage signs you must watch out for:
Mold
Mold buildup commonly happens with opened cereal; however, moisture can penetrate sealed containers where your rice Krispies are stored.
It’s best to throw away your rice crispy treats immediately after noticing mold.
Salmonella
You might be surprised to uncover that salmonella can also spoil your rice Krispies cereal, as they are known to affect vegetables, eggs, and raw meat.
These bacteria can thrive in dry and densely processed foods as they usually would in fresh produce and raw meat.
Therefore, if your cereal treats smell like paint or grass or appears oily, these are indications that you need to discard them because they’re infected by salmonella.
Bugs
Bugs, such as weevils, mealworms, and other insects, can quickly get inside your cereal treats packets and consume your food before you do. They can quickly spoil even the freshest food stored in your pantry.
Due to this, we strongly recommend inspecting your rice Krispies marshmallow treats packaging to ensure that no signs of insects get inside the box.
It would help if you tossed out infested packets to prevent other bugs from infesting your pantry or kitchen.
Undesirable smell
If your cereal treats smell strange, then it means something’s wrong. This condition commonly takes place with cereals that contain whole grains or fruits.
Unfortunately, rice Krispies are not excluded here.
Feel free to throw your marshmallow cereal treats immediately once you notice an odd smell coming from the box.
Stale Rice Krispies Treats Cereal
Like other breakfast cereals, Rice Krispies generally lose their crunch and flavor when they become stale.
There’s no problem consuming dry cereal if you find its texture and taste acceptable.
So long as you don’t see any indications of spoilage, the stale rice Krispies treats are still edible.
Anyhow, if the unpleasant texture and bland flavor irritate you, the best thing to do is to discard them and purchase a new one.
Final Thoughts
As discussed, rice Krispies cereal won’t go rancid or expire on its own without the influence of several external elements, such as moisture penetration, insects, improper storage, bacteria buildup, and unpleasant smell.
This is why storing your rice Krispy treats correctly is vital, as this technique can remarkably reduce the risks of the cereal treats from going bad.
You’ll often end up eating stale cereal once you consume the rice Krispie treat beyond its “best before date” indicated on its packet.
You can quickly determine if your rice Krispies treats have gone bad by inspecting their packaging, appearance, taste, and smell.
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