In the frozen section of the supermarket, you’ll find uncrustables that make great sandwich snacks. The most common flavors are peanut butter and grape/strawberry jelly, and they must be thawed before eating. There are a few questions about whether or not they should be refrigerated when stored.
The Uncrustables need to be refrigerated (or frozen) if they are not being eaten immediately after thawing. They shouldn’t sit out at room temperature for an extended period. You should also thaw them in the refrigerator or in an ice pack in your lunchbox.
The Uncrustables are too good to waste – whether you’re an adult or a kid! Make sure you take good care of them. Explore how long Uncrustables last in the fridge, how long they can be left out of the fridge before they go bad, and more!
What Are Uncrustables?
The most common Uncrustable is a peanut butter and jelly (grape or strawberry) sandwich that doesn’t have a crust! Besides peanut butter and honey, the brand also offers plain peanut butter and hazelnut and chocolate flavors (think Nutella!). The popular brand Smuckers makes Uncrustables, which you can purchase in supermarkets or make at home using a sandwich sealer.
Usually made with peanut butter and jelly, but other fillings can be used as well, they’re a great snack to have on hand. They are a popular food item for homes with children as not only are they convenient, but they are also delicious.
Do Uncrustables Need To Be Refrigerated?
You should refrigerate (or freeze) Uncrustables when you’re not thawing them. For the best flavor, Smucker’s recommends thawing Uncrustables for 30 to 60 minutes at room temperature and eating them within 6 to 8 hours. As a general rule, you’ll keep them in the fridge if they won’t be eaten within 1-2 hours or put them in an ice pack (in your child’s lunchbox).
You can even thaw them in the refrigerator, which may take longer, but is safer than thawing at room temperature. Uncrustables shouldn’t be put in the toaster, air fryer, or microwave, especially with the plastic on.
How Long Do Uncrustables Last In The Refrigerator?
Uncrustables can be stored in the freezer for a long time, up until their expiration date. It’s best not to leave your Uncrustables in the refrigerator for more than one day. They taste better fresher. If you don’t intend to eat your Uncrustables right away, store them in the refrigerator. If you don’t plan on eating the uncrustables right away, it is best to keep them in the freezer or refrigerator.
You can store a thawed uncrustable sandwich in the fridge for almost as long as a regular peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The jelly gives it a little moisture, so it won’t last as long in the fridge as peanut butter or bread, but since the edges are sealed, it won’t go bad too soon. It also tends to dry out rather than get too soggy.
When you take it out of the bag, make sure to keep it in an airtight container. It will lose its texture and flavor fairly quickly outside of its packaging.
How Long Do Uncrustables Last Out Of The Refrigerator?
Uncrustables are frozen items made with flour, vegetable oil, sugar, and delicious fillings like peanut butter and grape jelly, peanut butter and honey, chocolate-flavored hazelnut, and others. When left out of the fridge or freezer for too long, their quality will begin to deteriorate. The higher the temperature, the quicker they will go bad.
The Smucker’s website states that unrefrigerated Uncrustables should be eaten within a few hours of thawing. Upon thawing, their shelf-life drastically decreases. If not stored properly, they become a breeding ground for bacteria that can make you sick.
The last thing you should pick off the shelf at the supermarket is Uncrustables. They have a short shelf-life, so picking them last keeps them frozen for longer. Warm temperatures will cause Uncrustables to defrost sooner and spoil quicker, so don’t leave them in the car for too long.
How Long Do Uncrustables Last In Lunchboxes?
In addition, Uncrustables are also a good addition to your children’s lunchboxes. School lunches benefit from uncrustables, which should be thawed for two hours and consumed immediately. The frozen sandwich will defrost in time for your kid to enjoy it for lunch. Do not defrost them prior to packing.
In order for your Uncrustable lunch on-the-go to last longer, you may add ice packs, in which case, you should eat them within 6 hours. When your kid will be on an outdoor field trip or has a later lunch, you should use an icepack.
Can You Refreeze Uncrustables?
Can you refreeze Uncrustables if you thaw them accidentally or deliberately (like in the car) and do not intend to use them right away? It is not recommended to refreeze Uncrustables because it destroys the texture, but it is not a safety issue. The bread is already in a delicate state after thawing. Refreezing it will affect its texture and quality, as well as cause ice crystals to form, reducing its flavor.
The Uncrustables should be eaten soon after they have thawed, so eat them right away. It is not recommended to put them back in the freezer a second time. Although they may still be edible, the taste and texture could be adversely affected. However, if they have been out long enough and start to spoil, refreezing could become a health risk.
Uncrustables should be placed back in the freezer as soon as possible if they thaw while you are driving home from the supermarket. Sandwiches may not freeze well if left outside for too long, and there is a high risk of contamination.
How To Tell If Uncrustables Have Gone Bad?
Uncrustables go bad mainly due to improper storage. Failure to follow the recommended storage instructions reduces their shelf life and creates the perfect environment for spoilage. In the event that uncrustables have been left out of the freezer and refrigerator for an extended period of time, they may begin to show signs of spoilage, such as the following:
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Mold and discoloration are present
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Texture that is stale or slimy
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Bread that is soggy or wet
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Flavor loss
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The smell is sour
How To Make And Store Homemade Uncrustables
Store-bought Uncrustables may be convenient and delicious, but they are not the healthiest choice. They contain processed flour, vegetable oil, and at least 5 grams of added sugar per sandwich. A healthier option would be to make Uncrustables yourself. That way, you can choose the ingredients you want.
If you use whole wheat bread, organic peanut butter, or home-made jam or jelly made with real fruit, you can even make a gluten-free version.
Uncrustables are super easy to make and only require a few ingredients and a few minutes.
To make homemade Uncrustables, you will need these ingredients:
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Bread made from whole grains
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The filling of your choice (peanut butter & jelly, peanut butter & honey, Nutella, etc.)
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Sealer for sandwiches
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To recreate a sandwich sealer, use a cookie cutter and fork
Here are step-by-step instructions for making Uncrustables at home:
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Microwave the bread for 5 seconds to warm it briefly.
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On a cutting board, place it.
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Make sure that when you cut/seal the sandwiches, there is some space around the edges to prevent the filling from spilling out.
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Sandwiches should be assembled and crusts sealed.
Alternatively, you can cut the bread with a cookie cutter first, fill the sandwiches, and then use a fork to crimp the edges together.
To prevent ice crystals from forming, store them in a freezer-safe bag and remove as much air as possible before freezing.
Alternatively, you can wrap each uncrustable in plastic wrap to ensure maximum freshness and then store them in a freezer-safe container.
Storing Uncrustables To Make Them Last
You can keep Uncrustables in the freezer for a long time, but they may begin to spoil after a couple of days in the refrigerator.
Here are a few tips to make your Uncrustables last longer in the freezer, fridge, or kitchen counter:
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Make sure the package is fresh by checking the expiration date.
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If the packaging tears, store it in clean, dry materials.
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For thawing, make sure your kitchen counter or pantry is dry and clean.
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If you are making sandwiches at home, you can thaw Uncrustables in the package or in whatever container you use to store homemade sandwiches.
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Keep them away from high heat and humid areas.
Related Questions
Having learned all about storing uncrustables and whether they need to be refrigerated, here are some additional questions you might have:
Can You Eat Frozen Uncrustables?
Before eating uncrustables, they must be thawed for 30 to 60 minutes at room temperature. However, some people prefer to eat them frozen or partially frozen so that they have a crunchy and thick texture.
What Temperature Is Safe For Uncrustables?
Uncrustables should be stored at 0°F, which is the ideal temperature for a freezer. You can also store them in the refrigerator for 24 hours at 34°F, but long-term storage is not recommended.