This Quick and Simple Hack Will Revive Stale Cereal in Minutes (2024)

Aly Walansky

Aly Walansky

Aly Walansky is a New York City-based food and travel writer. Her work has been seen on Today.com, Forbes, AllRecipes, Food Network, and many more. When she's not working, she loves to cook, try out fun co*cktail bars, and play with her adorable puppies.

published Sep 19, 2022

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This Quick and Simple Hack Will Revive Stale Cereal in Minutes (1)

We’ve all poured that morning bowl of cereal only to discover that it tastes rubbery and old, instead of crunchy and fresh. If this disappointment of stale cereal has caused you to throw out an almost-full box of cereal more often than you’d like to admit, this easy hack will be the best thing you’ll see today. Not only does it promise to revive cereal that’s gone stale, but it’ll also save you a little money, too!

Problem Solved, an Instagram account dedicated to solving common problems, has the answer you need to make your cereal as fresh as the day you opened it.What’s even better is all you need is your oven to make it happen.

As the video reveals, you’ll spread your cereal out on a baking sheet before placing it in the oven for 5-10 minutes at 300°F. And, once it’s done, you’ll be met with a fresh crunch that’ll be extra toasty and delicious right in time for your breakfast. How’s that for a useful, money-saving hack?

The video also offers a few other useful tips for storing cereal better so that it doesn’t get stale in the first place. From clipping the bag inside the box to keeping the cereal in an airtight container, the way you store it can help eliminate the problem before it becomes one. Cereal that remains inside the box can also be kept fresh (and bug-free) by folding in the tops of the box to seal out air.

Stale cereal can happen for many reasons — like having too many boxes open at once to forgetting you had that box sitting around in the first place — but it doesn’t mean it is the end of the road, either. If you’re ever left with stale cereal, you can always use it in a recipe that requires breading for chicken or for homemade granola bars. Of course though, the best way to not have stale cereal is to just finish that box just a bit faster. So, go ahead — have another bowl!

This Quick and Simple Hack Will Revive Stale Cereal in Minutes (2024)

FAQs

This Quick and Simple Hack Will Revive Stale Cereal in Minutes? ›

What's even better is all you need is your oven to make it happen. As the video reveals, you'll spread your cereal out on a baking sheet before placing it in the oven for 5-10 minutes at 300°F. And, once it's done, you'll be met with a fresh crunch that'll be extra toasty and delicious right in time for your breakfast.

How do you revive stale cereal? ›

Luckily, we have a simple, money-saving tip that will bring stale cereal back to life.
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Lay out stale cereal in an even layer on a baking sheet.
  3. Bake for about 5-10 minutes, or until the cereal is crunchy again, and enjoy!
Jan 27, 2023

How to make cereal not go stale? ›

Store cereal in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, like the pantry. An unopened cereal box is airtight, and will keep cereal fresh for months.

Can you microwave stale cereal? ›

A less common technique involves using a microwave. Here, one spreads the cereal on a microwave-safe plate and heats it in short 30-second bursts, checking its texture between intervals. This method can bring back crispness but requires careful attention to avoid overcooking.

Is it OK to eat stale cereal? ›

It's probably hard to get past the missing crunch when you bite into a stale chip or a handful of cereal. But if you can move beyond the diminished taste and texture, eating stale food will pose no inherent danger to your health. “Cereals don't really go bad.

What can I add to dry cereal? ›

Aim to serve your cereal with milk, fruit, a source of protein and glass of water. Cereal toppings can be used to add extra nutrients, a bit more flavour, or bulk out your bowl. There is a range of cereal toppings, from chopped nuts to low-fat Greek yoghurt and cinnamon powder to fresh berries, the choices are varied!

Can you toast stale cereal? ›

As the video reveals, you'll spread your cereal out on a baking sheet before placing it in the oven for 5-10 minutes at 300°F. And, once it's done, you'll be met with a fresh crunch that'll be extra toasty and delicious right in time for your breakfast.

What causes cereal to go stale? ›

Cereal primarily consists of carbohydrates, mainly starches, which can break down over time, causing the cereal to go stale and lose its flavor. To determine the freshness of your meal, watch out for changes in color or texture. If you notice discolorations or a loss of crunch, it may be time to replace it.

Does putting cereal in the fridge keep it fresh? ›

The cupboard or pantry is the best place to store cereal. Keep it in a cool, dark and dry place. Once opened, cereal should be stored in its original packaging, sealed with a bag clip. You can also store cereal in an airtight container to keep it dry and fresh.

What is the shelf life of dry cereal? ›

When it's unopened, breakfast cereal lasts six to eight months past the date on the box. If opened, your favorite cereal will typically stay fresh for between four and six months. In contrast, cooked cereals such as oatmeal will only keep for four to five days in the fridge once prepared. "Cereals don't really go bad.

How do you soften dry cereal? ›

Soak cereal in milk until soft; about 20 -30 minutes, depending on cereal type.

When should you throw out cereal? ›

According to Kaplan, most cereals will still be good to eat days, weeks or months after the date indicated on the packaging. “Expiration date labeling looks different across food packages because there is no standardization,” she explained.

Can you use stale cereal for rice krispie treats? ›

Recipe Notes

** Any brand is fine, but be sure the cereal you use is fresh. Stale cereal will make for stale-tasting Rice Crispy Treats. To make a half-batch of Rice Crispy Treats, simply divide all ingredients in half and use an 8×8-inch baking pan.

Can stale cereal be fixed? ›

Pro tip:. If your cereal has gone stale, put it on a baking sheet, and pop it in the oven at 300 degrees for about five to 10 mins to revive the crunch.

How do you keep dry cereal fresh? ›

The cupboard or pantry is the best place to store cereal. Keep it in a cool, dark and dry place. Once opened, cereal should be stored in its original packaging, sealed with a bag clip. You can also store cereal in an airtight container to keep it dry and fresh.

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