All About Rice cakes
Your complete guide to rice cakes - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Rice cakes Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for rice cakes in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
Puffed Rice Cakes, Unopened (Pantry)6-12 months (or until best-by date)
Signs of Spoilage
Stale, off-odor, visible mold (rare for unopened and properly stored).
How to Check
Check the best-by date. Smell for any rancid, musty, or chemical odors. Visually inspect for any signs of mold, although this is very uncommon in unopened packages.
Storage Tips
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity. High humidity can cause them to become stale prematurely.
Puffed Rice Cakes, Opened (Pantry)1-2 weeks (quality, not safety)
Signs of Spoilage
Loss of crispness, soft or chewy texture, stale flavor, off-odor (rare, but possible if exposed to contaminants or moisture).
How to Check
Feel the texture – they should be crisp. Taste a small piece to check for staleness or off-flavors. Smell for any unusual or unpleasant odors.
Storage Tips
To maintain crispness, reseal the package tightly after each use or transfer the rice cakes to an airtight container. Exposure to air and humidity will cause them to go stale quickly.
Fresh/Chewy Rice Cakes, Unopened (Vacuum-Sealed - Pantry/Fridge)2 weeks to 3 months (check package best-by date, varies widely by brand and processing)
Signs of Spoilage
Sour, fermented, or unpleasant smell; slimy or sticky texture; discoloration (pink, green, black spots); visible mold; swollen or bulging packaging.
How to Check
Always check the best-by or expiration date on the package. Inspect the packaging for any signs of swelling, which indicates gas production from spoilage. Open and smell deeply for any sour, yeasty, or off odors. Visually inspect for mold growth or unusual colors. Touch to check for sliminess.
Storage Tips
Always follow the manufacturer's storage instructions. If unsure, refrigerate. The vacuum seal helps preserve them, but once compromised, spoilage can accelerate.
Fresh/Chewy Rice Cakes, Opened (Fridge)3-5 days
Signs of Spoilage
Sour, yeasty, or fermented smell; slimy or excessively sticky texture; hardening and cracking due to drying out; visible mold (green, black, pink spots).
How to Check
Smell for any unpleasant, sour, or fermented odors. Touch to check for sliminess or excessive stickiness on the surface. Look for any mold growth or discoloration. If they are very hard and cracked, they are likely dried out and past their prime, even if not spoiled.
Storage Tips
Store in an airtight container or a tightly sealed bag to prevent drying out and absorption of refrigerator odors. For best quality, you can submerge them in fresh water (changed daily) to prevent drying, but still monitor closely for sliminess or odor.
Fresh/Chewy Rice Cakes (Freezer)3-6 months (quality; safe indefinitely if kept frozen at 0°F/-18°C)
Signs of Spoilage
Excessive freezer burn (dry, discolored patches), significant change in texture (mushy or crumbly) or loss of flavor upon thawing.
How to Check
Visually inspect for severe freezer burn. Upon thawing, check for any unusual odors or an excessively soft/mushy texture that indicates quality degradation.
Storage Tips
Freeze in an airtight freezer bag or container to prevent freezer burn. For individual pieces, you can lay them flat on a baking sheet to freeze solid first, then transfer to a bag to prevent sticking. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or cook directly from frozen, depending on the recipe.
Cooked Dish with Rice Cakes (Fridge)3-4 days
Signs of Spoilage
Sour or off-odor, visible mold, slimy texture, ingredients separating or looking curdled.
How to Check
Smell for any unpleasant, sour, or fermented odors. Look for any mold growth or discoloration. Check for sliminess on the rice cakes or in the sauce.
Storage Tips
Cool cooked dishes quickly (within 2 hours) and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat thoroughly to 165°F (74°C) before serving. Avoid reheating multiple times.