Oreos are very popular cookies and they are eaten by people all over the planet – but they have the drawback that many cookies have as they tend to turn soft when they are left open for too long.
Oreos that have gone soft should still be perfectly safe to eat, as long as they are relatively fresh and haven’t been kept in unsuitable conditions. However, if the Oreos are very old, there’s a risk that they will have started to develop mold and bacteria, and this could mean that they are unsafe to eat. Additionally, soft Oreos don’t tend to taste very good.
This article will look at how you can tell whether Oreos are still good to eat, and how you can prevent your Oreos from going soft for as long as possible.
Is A Soft Oreo Safe To Eat?
A soft Oreo may be safe to eat if it is only a little soft, but you should be aware that these cookies won’t last forever if water has gotten into them.
They do contain a lot of preservatives that will prevent them from going off quickly, but they will eventually start to spoil if they are left out for too long. You should be careful about eating Oreos that are very old.
On the whole, the risks are low, but you want to be somewhat careful about consuming any very old food. In most cases, an old Oreo will not make you sick, but you should inspect it first.
Look for any signs of mold growing on either the cookie part or the cream in the middle. Flecks of blue, white, green, brown, or any other fluff is a sign that it’s no longer edible.
If you can’t see any visible signs of mold, smell the cookie. If it smells okay, try a small taste, and make sure you spit it out if it tastes funny. Do not eat large amounts of soft Oreos, as this increases the risk of them making you sick.
How Can You Stop Oreos From Turning Soft?
Oreos turn soft when they are exposed to the air for too long because they absorb moisture from the area. Like other kinds of cookies, they need to be kept sealed if they are going to remain crunchy.
You can stop Oreos from turning soft by keeping them in an airtight container. An unopened packet of Oreos can just be stored in a pantry or cupboard, but as soon as you open the packet, you will need to take steps to stop the air from getting to the cookies.
You can do this in a number of ways. The easiest one is to simply place the packet in an airtight container and put the lid on. If you don’t have a suitable container, you can instead twist up the end of the packet and wind an elastic band around it, or put a clip or some tape over it.
Another option is to decant the cookies into a vacuum sealer bag, press the air out of it, and seal the bag. Make sure you re-seal the bag every time you take cookies out of it. You can also place the container in the fridge or freezer if you want to make them last even longer.
Do Oreos Keep Past Their Expiry Date?
Because these cookies contain a lot of preservatives, they will often be safe to eat even past the printed expiry date.
This is something you do at your own risk, but in most cases, it will be completely fine. Unopened Oreos can keep for a couple of weeks after the printed date, while opened Oreos may last for around a week if they are kept in an airtight container.
However, you should be careful about eating expired Oreos if you have any health conditions that might make you more vulnerable to food poisoning, or if you are pregnant. Exercise caution with any out-of-date foods if you’re vulnerable.
What Can You Do With Soft Oreos?
If you have a packet of soft Oreos that you know is okay, you don’t have to throw them away just because they have gone a little stale. You can use them in a whole range of desserts.
Oreos can be added to truffles, cheesecakes, cupcakes, and more – so get a little inventive if you want to use them up. You can turn them into a truly mouth-watering dessert, and because they’re vegan-friendly, they make a perfect base!
Conclusion
Oreos will turn soft if they are left exposed to the air for a few days, but they are usually safe to eat anyway. You should check that they don’t have any signs of mold and that they smell and taste okay, and then you can safely eat them – or put them in a dessert to hide the softer texture.
Editor’s note: The content on this website is meant to be informative, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The content of our articles is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always best to speak with your doctor or a certified medical professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, diet, exercise routine, or trying a new supplement.
