All About Rice paper sheets
Your complete guide to rice paper sheets - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Rice paper sheets Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for rice paper sheets 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.
opened, at room temperature6-12 months
Signs of Spoilage
Increased brittleness or tendency to crack easily when dry, difficulty rehydrating evenly, slight discoloration, absorption of foreign odors, very rare mold if exposed to significant moisture.
How to Check
Visually inspect for uniform color and absence of spots. Gently try to bend a dry sheet; if it cracks excessively or crumbles, it may be too old. Smell for any stale, musty, or absorbed odors. If you rehydrate a test sheet and it doesn't become pliable or tears easily, its quality has degraded.
Storage Tips
Reseal the original bag tightly, or transfer the remaining sheets to an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. This prevents moisture absorption (which can lead to mold) and drying out (which makes them brittle), and protects them from absorbing pantry odors.
unopened, at room temperature2-3 years (often well past best-by date)
Signs of Spoilage
Significant discoloration (e.g., yellowing, browning), signs of insect infestation, a strong musty or chemical odor, visible mold (extremely rare in a dry, sealed state).
How to Check
Visually inspect the packaging and sheets for any uneven color, dark spots, or movement from insects. Smell the package for any off-odors before opening. If mold is present, it will typically appear as fuzzy spots.
Storage Tips
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, high humidity, and strong-smelling foods, as rice paper can absorb odors. Ensure the packaging remains intact.
rehydrated/prepared (e.g., in spring rolls), in fridge1-2 days
Signs of Spoilage
The wrapper becomes excessively sticky, slimy, hard/dry and cracked (if exposed to air), or develops visible mold spots. For prepared rolls, fillings may show discoloration, a sour/off-smell, or sliminess.
How to Check
Look for any mold (fuzzy green, black, or white spots), significant discoloration on the wrapper or fillings, or a dried-out, cracked appearance. Smell for any sour, musty, or unpleasant odors. Touch the wrapper; if it feels slimy or unusually sticky (beyond its usual slight tackiness), it's likely spoiled.
Storage Tips
Store rehydrated sheets or prepared rolls in an airtight container. For spring rolls, placing a slightly damp (not wet) paper towel over them inside the container can help prevent drying, but change it daily to avoid excess moisture. Consume as soon as possible for best quality and safety. Freezing rehydrated rice paper or rolls is generally not recommended as it significantly degrades texture upon thawing.