Do Uncrustables Need To Be Refrigerated? With Preparation Guide
Do Uncrustables need to be refrigerated? Today we will take a look at exactly how Uncrustables should be handled. This will include the different ways to thaw them, how and where to store the snacks, and how long they will last.
I’ve also included a handy guide on the best way to prepare Uncrustables in different scenarios.
If you enjoy educational articles like this, make sure to check out more on my site. The ones that I frequently use are “How To Tell When Hard-Boiled Eggs Are Done” and “How Many Tablespoons Is An Ounce?“
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at whether you should store Uncrustables in the fridge.
What Are Uncrustables?
Uncrustables are ready-to-eat pre-made sealed sandwiches. How does that work exactly?
There are a couple of different fillings that Smuckers (the manufacturer) sells. Once the filling is placed between two slices of bread, they are sealed in with a sandwich press. This removes the crust and crimps the edges shut. Nifty, right?
These sandwiches come in many different flavors. The most popular one is arguably the peanut butter and strawberry jam option. But you can also find flavors like peanut butter and grape jelly, peanut butter and honey, and chocolate hazelnut spread.
Then, you also get Uncrustables Bites. These are essentially savory bread balls with a filling. They work in almost exactly the same way. But, their preparation techniques will differ from the original Uncrustable sandwiches.
Now, these premade snacks are actually sold frozen. This means that there is obviously some preparation that goes into making them. But don’t worry, it’s not a lot and it doesn’t take a long time.
Do Uncrustables Need To Be Refrigerated?
So, one of the biggest questions that are asked about Uncrustables is “Do Uncrustables need to be refrigerated?” Luckily, the answer is pretty straightforward.
If you have already thawed the Uncrustable sandwiches, they have to be stored inside the fridge.
But, if you aren’t planning on using them immediately, rather keep them inside your freezer. They have a much longer shelf life frozen than thawed and refrigerated.
If you keep your sandwiches frozen, they can easily last up to a year. But always check the expiration date on the box itself. You may accidentally buy a very old batch that only has a month or two shelf-life left.
And if you thaw your Uncrustables, they can only last inside the fridge for a couple of hours. So, as I’ve mentioned before, it really is best to eat the thawed Uncrustable sandwiches immediately.
And of course, if you don’t keep the thawed Uncrustables in the fridge, they won’t last very long.
So the bottom line is: If you have already thawed the Uncrustables, they should be kept inside the fridge and eaten within 6-8 hours. But, if you don’t plan on eating them soon, rather keep them frozen.
Do Uncrustables Go Bad If Not Refrigerated?
Uncrustables that have been thawed need to be stored inside the fridge if you don’t intend on eating them immediately. If you don’t, they will go bad.
Thawed Uncrustables can only last an hour when kept at room temperature. And trust me, that’s not very long, and time flies by when you are super busy. When you eventually get to it the sandwich will be a wet soggy mess!
So, yes. Uncrustables do go bad if they aren’t kept in the fridge. They will still technically be safe to eat (within a few hours) but not appealing at all!
Do Uncrustables Have To Be Frozen?
If you aren’t planning on eating the Uncrustables immediately, you should keep them frozen. That’s the best way to ensure that they keep for as long as they possibly can.
Once you have thawed your Uncrustables, you cannot re-freeze them.
When you thawed the sandwiches, the bacteria that was already on them re-activated. New bacteria have also been introduced. These bacteria will reproduce rapidly. When you freeze the sandwich again, you are just freezing more bacteria with it.
This is extremely dangerous and not worth it. Re-freezing thawed food is one of the biggest causes of severe food poisoning.
Another reason this may not be the best idea is because of the texture. Once you thaw the Uncrustable sandwich, the bread has softened and will soon become soggy thanks to the filling. If you freeze them again, that’s what you can expect to eat the next time you thaw them. Again, not the most appetizing thought.
How Do You Prepare Uncrustables?
Let’s look at how you should prepare these sandwiches now that you know the answer to “Do uncrustables need to be refrigerated?”
To start, place the box of Uncrustables (or the exact amount you want to thaw) on a plate. If you want to thaw them quickly, keep them at room temperature. It will take about 30-60 minutes to thaw completely depending on the temperature of the room.
If you want to thaw them slowly, keep them in the fridge. There, they will take 1-2 hours to thaw instead. This is a great way to extend the shelf life (once thawed). It literally gives you an extra hour or two to work with.
Once the Uncrustables are thawed, they are ready to eat immediately. Remember, if you keep them at room temperature, they will only last about 2 hours once they have completely thawed. If they are thawed but stored in the fridge, you can keep them for about 8 hours.
These sandwiches should never get heated. It will just make the filling runnier and soft, which makes the bread soggy. Like most sandwiches with peanut butter fillings, they are best “fresh.”
How To Properly Store Uncrustables
If the Uncrustables are frozen, they should remain in the freezer. If you thawed the sandwiches, you should store them inside an airtight container in the fridge. It will help prevent them from drying out.
And, if you store them at room temperature, an airtight container will also be a good idea.
If you are taking Uncrustables along with you on a road trip or sending it to school in a lunch box, don’t send thawed sandwiches. Place the frozen Uncrustable sandwich in the lunchbox or cooler. That will help give it a longer shelf life.
