Can you freeze cereal?

**bigaraycing** · 05-02-2008, 06:49 PM

one of the local stores is running a special this week on general mills cereal, snack mixes, and a couple other things. The deal is really good, 10/$20.00 with an instant $10.00 saving coupon. works out to a dollar a box! DBF said it would do no good to buy it, cause you can't freeze it and we won't eat it fast enough. So, can I prove him wrong?! lol! can i freeze cereal without it being mushy when it thaws? Thank in advance!

**i.m.cheap** · 05-02-2008, 06:59 PM

I have never frozen it, but most cereal has a pretty good shelf life. If you eat one box a week, that is 26 boxes in six months (52 weeks a year divided by two). You should safely be able to buy as much as you will consume in six months. Some cereal has a "sell by date" of up to one year after purchase.

**mombottoo** · 05-02-2008, 07:04 PM

Yes, you can freeze cereal...I have done it and the kids never even knew it. It does tend to get soggy a little quicker is all.

**AmyBoz** · 05-02-2008, 07:05 PM

My guess is you won't have to freeze it. I'm doubtful that you'll buy so much that it will go bad before it gets eaten. Cereal doesn't go bad that quickly. It's got a nice shelf-life.

But, if you want to freeze it just to prove a point, you can.

**Frugal Nurse** · 05-02-2008, 07:07 PM

Yes, you can freeze cereal.
I can't think of any cereal from General Mills that won't freeze well.

But... another idea? would be to use your 'food saver' to vacuum pack the cereal. Extends the life... like to infinity.
Perhaps borrow one? Check with your local freecycle.org to ask to borrow one.

And what a GREAT price!

**mom2bobsarah** · 05-02-2008, 09:49 PM

I used to be a camp counselor when I was a teenager and we would store our cereal in a freezer to keep it from going stale. But, I do agree with the other ladies that it has quite a shelf life and since you are in ME you shouldn't have any problems with pests and stuff like our Southern frugal friends have. I know my Dad lives in FL and has a heck of a time storing things like pancake mix because of the pests. Our grocery did a deal like this about a month ago and I wish I had stocked up more since I am pregnant I seem to live on cereal and have already just about gone through my stash, lol. Buy it up and enjoy!

**lisettelovebug** · 05-02-2008, 10:32 PM

Most of the general mills cereal we've bought recently (mega sale and coupons

) have expirations into 2009. so you should be ok if you bought 10 boxes. maybe more if you eat more. I noticed with some of the healthier cereals like kashi that they have a little less shelf life.

**bigaraycing** · 05-03-2008, 04:29 PM

Thanks for all the input! Can't wait to tell DBF that it is possible!! Thanks so much!!!

**Buckeye5** · 05-03-2008, 04:34 PM

I guess I never thought about freezing cereal because it never stays on my shelf long, my DS can get at it in a big way!! LOL

**acidcookie** · 05-05-2008, 12:10 AM

I got a deal like this too! But they just went in my closet. Freezing? But it's dry food...I'm confused. Why freeze? And why would dry cereal be more soggy?

**Frugal Nurse** · 05-05-2008, 06:51 AM

Originally Posted by acidcookie

I got a deal like this too! But they just went in my closet. Freezing? But it's dry food...I'm confused. Why freeze? And why would dry cereal be more soggy?

I freeze grain products because of those nasty little pantry bugs that threaten to overtake your food stash.

For me... I always toss my grain food products in the freezer for at least 4 hours- first thing. That will eliminate the potential for any pests that might be inside the box... it's happened.

**cissylu** · 05-05-2008, 08:35 PM

I`ve never heard of anyone freezing cereal. awesome.

**bumplett** · 05-05-2008, 09:24 PM

** weebie jeebies **

**Frugal Cook** · 05-06-2008, 06:41 PM

I've never frozen dry foods except briefly to kill pantry bugs, etc., but I guess today's high sugar content cereals have a shorter shelf life than Twinkies. Moisture being frozen in the bagged and thawed, etc., could cause it to change texture. I don't know.

**apeugh** · 06-22-2011, 10:46 PM

just found out that malt o meal is discontinuing my husband's favorite cereal. i found a walmart 13 miles away that has a bin full! thanx for all the info, i'm off to buy all they have, suck the air out of it and try freezing........=-]

Originally Posted by bigaraycing

one of the local stores is running a special this week on general mills cereal, snack mixes, and a couple other things. The deal is really good, 10/$20.00 with an instant $10.00 saving coupon. works out to a dollar a box! DBF said it would do no good to buy it, cause you can't freeze it and we won't eat it fast enough. So, can I prove him wrong?! lol! can i freeze cereal without it being mushy when it thaws? Thank in advance!