That sleeve of Ritz in the back of the pantry has been open since the last time you had people over. Before you serve it or toss it, here is how long crackers keep, what to check, and how to bring back the snap.
Do Ritz crackers go bad?
The Short Answer: Yes, Ritz crackers can go stale and eventually develop quality problems, though slowly. We couldn’t find a Ritz-specific shelf life from Ritz or any agency. K-State lists crackers in general at 8 months at 70°F when kept tightly closed, and the Windsor-Essex health unit lists 6 months for unopened packages. NDSU Extension and Virginia Cooperative Extension list crackers at 1 month once opened. These are general guidelines for crackers, not Ritz-specific guarantees. After opening, seal the sleeve tightly or use an airtight container, and re-crisp soft crackers only if they otherwise seem normal. Discard crackers with mold, pests, moisture damage or a rancid or otherwise off smell.
For a complete pantry storage reference, see our Food Storage Guide. For another shelf-stable staple, see our guide on whether breadcrumbs go bad.
Do Ritz Crackers Go Bad: At a Glance
Stored cool and dry
K-State lists crackers at 8 months at 70°F, and the Windsor-Essex health unit at 6 months for unopened packages. These are general guidelines, not Ritz-specific
Past the best-by date
No Ritz-specific figure. USDA says dates are not an indicator of safety, so check the box and the crackers for signs of spoilage
Opened box or sleeve
NDSU Extension and Virginia Cooperative Extension list crackers at 1 month once opened. That is a general guideline, not Ritz-specific
Soft or stale
Missouri Extension says to spread crackers in a single layer and heat at 200 to 225°F for 5 minutes, then stir and repeat in 5-minute intervals until crisp. Only if they otherwise seem normal
Freezer or fridge
NDSU Extension says crackers and chips stay crisp when packaged tightly and frozen. Virginia Cooperative Extension lists 3 to 4 months in the freezer and, for opened crackers, 3 to 4 months in the fridge
Mold, pests, moisture damage or a rancid smell
Discard them
Key Takeaways
Ritz crackers can go stale and eventually develop quality problems, though slowly. The times below are general cracker guidelines, not Ritz guarantees.
K-State lists crackers at 8 months at 70°F in a tightly closed package, and the Windsor-Essex health unit lists 6 months for unopened packages. NDSU Extension and Virginia Cooperative Extension list crackers at 1 month once opened.
Stale, soft crackers have absorbed moisture from the air. If they are only soft and otherwise normal, Missouri Extension says they can be re-crisped in a low oven.
Crackers contain added oil, so we’d expect them to be able to turn rancid. Re-crisping does not fix rancidity, mold or pests.
Discard crackers with mold, insects, webbing, moisture damage or a rancid or otherwise off smell.
Which Ritz Do You Have?
This guide focuses on Original Ritz crackers in boxes a
