Of course, all foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. Frozen and packaged waffles will usually have a best by date which is simply the last date by which a manufacturer will vouch for a product's quality, not its safety. The above tables do not pay reference to the best-by date because most waffles are purchased frozen (an indefinite form of storage) or made fresh at home, therefore void of a best-by date.

How to tell if Waffles are bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Although not a perfect test, your senses are usually the most reliable instruments to tell if your waffles have expired and gone bad.

Since different companies use different preservatives, there is variation in how long packaged waffles will last. Waffles, which begin fairly soft will begin to get stiffer when they are getting older. You can tell if packaged or fresh waffles have gone bad if you notice any spots of mold on their surface, at which point the entire package should be thrown away.

Frozen waffles that remain frozen during their entire duration will be safe to eat unless they have changed from their original color - freezer burn will change their color to an opaque white. If frozen waffles are defrosted, they should be consumed within 3 - 5 days from being defrosted.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Waffles to extend their shelf life?

Packages of waffles should be stored in a cool dry environment not susceptible to temperature change.
Freshly made waffles should be refrigerated once they have cooled, or frozen for longer term storage.
Frozen waffles should be kept frozen at all times.
When items go through temperature changes of cool to warm and vice versa, the moisture in the air tends to condensate inside the packages. This moisture is an inviting place for mold to grow and waffles to spoil. The freezer is a preferable storage place for waffles over the refrigerator.

Always store your waffles in air-tight containers that help keep out moisture and other contaminants.

For Home made waffles, you can keep them fresh longer by storing them in your refrigerator below 40°F after preparation or by freezing them for the long term. Be sure to wrap them very well, as they can easily pick up odors from the freezer.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Interesting facts about Waffles:

How long are Waffles good for when prepared in a dish?

How long do waffles last? That depends. How long does oil last? In general, waffles lasts only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient with which they are mixed.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Waffles lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Waffles.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Waffles shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!