How Long Do Potato Chips Last?

How Long Do Potato Chips Last? Potato Chips are actually fried (or sometimes baked) slices of potato. The shelf life of potato chips depends on a variety of factors, such as the best before date and how the potato chips are stored. Because of their relatively low cost, ease of use, high calorie density and crunchy salty addiction potato chips are one of the most popular snacks around. Although there isn't a lot nutritional value, it's a known fact that very few people have been known to be able to resist reaching for that second chip.

So, how long do potato chips last? When properly stored, the shelf life of potato chips past their best by date is approximately...

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Potato Chips Expiration Date

(Unopened) Pantry
Past Printed Date
Packaged Potato Chips last for 2-3 Weeks
Vegetable Chips last for 2-3 Weeks
Bugles last for 2-3 Weeks
Fritos last for 2-3 Weeks
Chex Mix lasts for 2-3 Weeks
Pringles last for 2-3 Weeks
Tostitos last for 3-4 Weeks
Doritos last for 3-4 Weeks
Goldfish last for 3-4 Weeks
Pretzels last for 3-4 Weeks
Crackers last for 3-4 Weeks
(Opened) Pantry
Homemade Potato Chips last for 2-3 Days
Packaged Potato Chips last for 5-7 Days
Packaged Tortilla Chips last for 1-2 Weeks
Crackers last for 2-4 Weeks

Of course, potato chips last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But remember that potato chips, like a lot of other snacks, usually have a sell by date and not a use by date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use potato chips even after the best before date has lapsed. About 2-3 weeks after the sell by date has passed, an unopened bag of chips will begin to taste stale and/or loose their crunch.

How to tell if Potato Chips are bad, rotten or spoiled?

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

When chips have gone bad, they lose their crisp crunch (which to some people that might not make them bad, but since they have little nutritional value anyways it seems a shame to take away their most enjoyable attribute). So, taste is the best way to tell if your potato chips have gone bad.

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 Potato Chips to extend their shelf life?

To extend the shelf life of potato chips store them in a cool, dry and dark place. Humid environments will make chips go bad and become stale quicker. The original package works great as long you tightly roll over the packaging and use a clip to seal the opening.

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

Interesting facts about Potato Chips:

Taking a bag of chips to high altitudes may also cause them to go stale sooner, because the air inside the bag will expand and often pop the bag open. So, it you're going to the mountains and hear a loud "pop" in the car, it's your bag of chips that will need to be re-sealed when you arrive.

How long are Potato Chips good for when prepared in a dish?

How long do potato chip last? That depends. How long does cheese last? In general, potato chips last only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the dish.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Potato Chips 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 Potato Chips.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Potato Chips 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!

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