Rice cakes are an incredibly versatile food that can be crunchy and crispy or smooth and chewy.
American rice cakes are typically crunchy and light, rice cakes that hail from places like Korea are often of the soft and chewy kind, fitting pleasantly within any dish.
No matter what type of rice cake you’re considering, they all have an expiration date.
Rice cakes of all kinds are best when they’re eaten fresh, so if you purchase them, plan on consuming them right away.
If you’ve spent a lot of time searching how long are rice cakes good, then you’re in the right place.
How Long are Rice Cakes Good?
If kept in a cool, dry place with sealed packaging, rice cakes last up to six months. After the package is opened, dry rice cakes will last two to three days before going stale. Fresh rice cakes should be eaten right away or frozen for up to three months until they’re ready to eat. Fresh rice cakes will last in the refrigerator for three to five days. Dry rice cakes will have a stable shelf life, but it’s crucial to stick to the sell-by dates when consuming any food, rice cakes included. Dry rice cakes are delicious and crunchy when fresh, but they can quickly go stale over time, making them hard to chew. No matter the rice cake, it’s best when eaten shortly after purchase.
Making Rice Cakes Last
The bottom line is that if you don’t have a plan for the food, you shouldn’t purchase it until you do.
However, snack foods tend to differ in how soon we consume them after buying them.
Packaged foods like chips, cookies and even rice cakes often don’t need to be opened or eaten right away, unless, of course, we purchase them freshly made.
Dry Rice Cakes
Dried, pre-packaged rice cakes can last up to six months when stored in a cool, dry place in your pantry.
Shelf-life will differ based on whether or not they’ve been opened and how well they’re covered after opening.
Dry rice cakes that remain tightly closed in the manufacturer’s packaging will last longer in the pantry than those that have. When you do open them, try to consume them within two to three days.
Fresh Rice Cakes
Fresh rice cakes are entirely different and have a bit more maintenance than their dried counterparts.
Freshly made rice cakes are chewy and delicious, and you should consume them within three days of purchase.
If you don’t eat them right away, make sure you put them in the fridge to keep them fresh.
They will last in the fridge for three to five days.
If you purchase fresh rice cakes and you don’t get a chance to eat them soon enough, put them in a freezer-safe container and keep them in the freezer for up to six months.
They will go right back to their chewy state when thawed.
Making rice cakes last is all about how you store and consume them.
Knowing how long rice cakes are good in many different states (open, unopen, fresh, pre-packaged) will ensure that you never have to face stale or soured rice cakes ever again.
What to Make with Rice Cakes
Many times, foods like rice cakes go bad because people aren’t sure how to make them versatile.
Crunchy rice cakes are so good alone, but they’re also perfect for a light snack and go with various foods, such as peanut butter, hazelnut spread, hummus, fresh fruit and veggies, and guacamole!
When you know your options, you’re more likely to reach for the rice cakes in the cupboard.
The more you eat, the less you’ll throw out!
Fresh rice cakes are fabulous when steamed, in soups, and covered in a variety of sauces.
Seriously, almost any sauce you can think of will go well with fresh, cooked, warm rice cakes.
You can pair them with steamed vegetables, or you can chop veggies to add a crunchy twist.
Fresh rice cakes and dry rice cakes are two very different things, and they both hold plenty of opportunities for tasty snacking.
Rice cakes don’t have a ton of nutrients, but they make for a great vessel to put nutrient-dense foods into your body.
Rice cakes are undeniably versatile, allowing for many meals or snacks made with just one food.
If you haven’t already made them a pantry staple, you absolutely should.
Frequently Asked Questions About How Long Rice Cakes Are Good For
Dry rice cakes and fresh rice cakes are delicious and palatable for many people.
However, expiration and sell-by dates can be confusing, so knowing how long rice cakes will last is essential.
How long are dry rice cakes good?
Dry rice cakes last longer than fresh ones, and you can keep them unopened in a dry place for up to six months, possibly longer, depending on the expiration date. If your dry cakes are opened, they’re suitable for around two to three days before they go stale.
How long do fresh rice cakes last?
Fresh rice cakes last for three to five days in the fridge and up to six months when frozen. Most people that purchase fresh rice cakes have a plan for them, so it’s unlikely that they’ll be kicking around your home that long. When in doubt, use them the day of, or the day after, you buy them.
Keeping Rice Cakes Fresh
Keep your rice cakes fresh by storing them safely and following all packaging instructions.
Sell-by and expiration dates are imperative to preventing food-borne illness and sour-tasting foods, so stick to whatever it says on the package.
Fresh food is always better, no matter what.