Refrigerating oatmeal is one of the best ways to preserve the leftovers.
But how long does oatmeal last in the fridge?
With the proper storage, oatmeal can last for about four to six days in the fridge.
However, although refrigerating oatmeal will maintain its nutrition, it may lose texture after a few days.
This is the reason why you should consume refrigerated oatmeal within four to six days.
How to refrigerate oatmeal?
If you want to refrigerate your oatmeal, here are a few things you might want to consider:
- Refrigerate oatmeal in airtight containers after cooking and cooling.
- Refrigerate for up to six days or freeze for up to six months.
- Add milk or water to the oatmeal before refrigerating it because it will otherwise become dry and tasteless.
- Refrigerate oatmeal in small containers so it will be easier to finish up.
- Oats may absorb some fridge odors, so transfer the oatmeal to different containers when storing.
- Refrigerate steel cut oats if you don’t plan of using it within five days. This will prevent rancidity from happening.
- Don’t forget to label oatmeal with the date of storage so you will know how long it has been stored in the fridge.
Refrigerating oatmeal in glass containers might affect its taste and texture, so always use airtight plastic containers.
How to refrigerate oats overnight?
Storing oats overnight in the fridge is one of the best ways to preserve it.
Refrigerating overnight oats will maintain their texture and flavor, but you should not refrigerate cooked oatmeal.
Refrigerating cooked oatmeal will ruin its texture and taste.
Here are the things you need to remember:
- Refrigerate overnight oats in airtight containers. Refrigerating overnight oats in jars is not safe because they are more likely to break and spill the content.
- Refrigerate overnight oats in one to two cup portions. Refrigerating the whole container is not safe because it will take too long before you finish it.
Refrigerating overnight oats in small containers will help you finish it up before the expiration date.
Does oatmeal go bad in the fridge?
Yes, oatmeal can go bad in the fridge especially if refrigerated for too long. Although refrigerating oats will prevent rancidity, it will lose texture and flavor after a few days.
To lengthen the shelf life, you should freeze the oats without milk and store them for up to six months.
Always remember that way you store your oats does matter because top methods will help you maintain the taste and texture of your oats.
Refrigerating overnight oats will make it last longer but it will also change its texture and taste.
Refrigerating cooked oatmeal can make it soggy and watery, which you should avoid at all costs.
Always keep these tips in mind to make the most out of your oatmeal.
Don’t be shy to experiment with refrigerating different types of oatmeal or use oats in different recipes.
How can you tell if oatmeal has gone bad?
Oatmeal that has gone bad will look different from normal oats. The sign of spoilage may include the following:
- oats that are discolored, slimy, or have mold
- oats with a rancid smell
- oats with tiny black insects
- oats with a slimy texture
Aside from knowing the signs of spoilage, it is also important to know when oats are still safe to eat.
The following are the ways on how you check if your oatmeal is still safe to eat:
- If oats start to smell bad, don’t eat them because it has gone bad.
- If oats discolored, slimy, or moldy, don’t eat them because they have gone bad.
- If there are tiny black insects crawling in the container, the oats are not safe to eat.
- If the taste is off, don’t eat the oats because they have gone bad.
What to do with expired oatmeal?
Expired oatmeal should never be consumed. Throw away expired oatmeal because it can cause food poisoning or other digestive problems.
Even if it still smells okay, expired oatmeal can be contaminated and can cause food poisoning.
Refrigerating expired oatmeal will not bring back the texture and flavor, so throwing them away is your best option.
Make sure to take note of the expiration date to make sure you eat oatmeal before it expires.
How long does cooked oatmeal last out of the fridge?
Cooked oatmeal can only last for two hours out of the fridge. I do not recommend leaving cooked oatmeal at room temperature because it can cause food poisoning.
Cooked oatmeal should only be left out for two hours maximum to avoid bacteria growth, spoilage, and contamination.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, cooked oatmeal can last for about four to five days in the fridge.
Refrigerating oatmeal can prevent rancidity but it will also change its texture and taste.
Refrigeration should only be done overnight or in small batches so you finish it before the expiration date.
Refrigerating oatmeal is a healthy way to keep your breakfast tasting fresh and good for longer periods of time.
It can also help you reduce food waste, maintain texture and flavor, and lengthen the shelf life.
Always make sure to check the expiration date to make sure you eat oatmeal before it expires.
Learn more about refrigerating foods here.
