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How Long Do Pop Tarts Last? [Shelf Life Guide]

Crunchy, sweet, and delicious, an everyday favorite of many people is Pop Tarts.

Originally called a ‘Fruit Scone,’ pop tarts have stayed around for many years, and it’s still a famous pastry.

These center-filled delights are produced by the Kellogg’s company and first originated in 1964.

pop tarts shelf life

Pop-tarts are famous for their varieties of sugar-fillings coupled with two layers of crust. Most of these come coated with frosting (another favorite!)

Yet, even these sweet munchies have their own ‘Best By’ date.

So, how long do pop tarts last?

Here, we shall tell you how to know whether your sweet delicacies are suitable for eating or not.

It is important to know this because if we consume expired or spoiled pop tarts, it can cause different health issues.

How Long Do Pop Tarts Last? Do Pop Tarts Go Bad?

do pop tarts go bad

Pop-tarts always come with a ‘Best By’ date through which you can estimate when it would become bad for consumption.

Usually, these are between six to twelve months for unopened packets.

If you open the packaging, then it will not last long. Within a week, different conditions can make it go extra soggy and later develop molds.

We can avoid the above-said situation if the opened packets are sealed safely in an air-tight container or bag or kept in a freezer.

The method may cause the pop tarts to last about a week or two. Further down, it can still be eatable, but it will not feel as fresh.

Pop-tarts have a ‘Best By’ date, so it means that it is safe to consume them even after the given date.

But remember that it can’t be too wide of a gap.

Apart from these, such products’ shelf-life is also determined by the amount of care given to it.

The best way you can save your pop tarts is by storing them in air-tight containers or sealing them in the original packing to avoid moisture’s entrance.

Storing food properly is an essential factor in determining proper sanitary food, having healthier edibles, and also avoid unnecessary waste in the environment.

In cases where you use pop tarts for unique dishes and preparations, the shelf-life will depend on the whole dish’s ingredients.

For example, if one ingredient (not the pop tart itself) in the dish becomes bad, it will cause the rest of the dish to follow suit.

In short, pop-tarts will go bad faster if other ingredients in the whole dish become bad.

Always remember to store these pastries in cooler spaces and air-tight packages.

It will help preserve it better and also save it from insects or dirt.

How to Tell if Pop Tarts are Bad?

how to tell if pop tarts are bad

It is always necessary to ensure that the food we eat is safe, hygienic, and edible.

Such measures help in presenting sickness related to food consumption.

The easiest way to spot spoiled pop tarts is by using your senses.

If there’s any foul smell emanating from the pastries, it may have gone bad.

Another way to notice is by looking for molds or any sign of deterioration. This is a clear sign that these tasty treats are not tasty anymore.

Consuming spoiled pop tarts will most probably cause issues in the stomach, and in extreme cases, it may cause food poisoning.

Therefore, it is important to be aware of when to eat these treats so that we avoid the risks of health issues.

If you bite on a pop tart and it feels chewy, most often than not, it means that the air-tight sealing of its package was leaked.

This is usually not much to be concerned about as the tarts are entirely edible, but this only shows that proper sealing is required to have pop tarts in good condition.

There has been news claiming that pop tarts in their place were found with some sort of insect. 

This is usually rare, but one must take it as a reminder to check your pastry properly before eating.

Most causes of spoiled pop tarts are due to negligence or lack of proper sealing. There may rarely be some production failures too.

Noticing anything different from a regular pop tart, such as color changes, molds, etc., should immediately make you double-check it before you start eating.

Conclusion

how long do pop tarts last

Pop-tarts have been around for ages, and they are still a popular snack.

These pastries are mostly popular among children.

Often, pop tarts have a good shelf life due to the added preservatives, lasting nearly twelve months at most (based on ‘best before date’)

Even after crossing the ‘best by’ date, it is usually edible, although there may be noticeable changes in its crunchiness and taste.

The effort and maintenance that we give to these pastries also determine their shelf-life.

Most importantly, homemade DIY pop tarts often have shorter shelf-lives.

So, it is always important to be observant of what you eat.

And follow proper storage conditions to make sure that your delights do not lose quality!

do pop tarts go bad

How Long Do Pop Tarts Last? Do Pop Tarts Go Bad?

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Shelf Life
Servings 1 Serving

Ingredients
  

  • Pop tarts
  • Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
  • Labels and markers

Instructions
 

  • Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
  • Check the u0022Best-by-dateu0022 to know when it expires.
  • Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
  • Always check for signs of spoilage before using.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @EatDelights or tag #eatdelights!

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