Can I use expired Shake and Bake?

Shake N Bake is a brand name of a combination of breading and flavoring that can be used on pork, chicken, fish, and other meats. There are many different companies like House Autry, Zatarain’s, McCormick, and others that make a premade breaded seasoning.

These seasoned breading mixes make it very easy to spice up dinner in a hurry without having to mix your own seasoning blend. We like to stock up on them when they are on super sale.

The last time we bought a few, I noticed that the expiration dates were not that long. This made me wonder if you can use Shake and Bake after the “best if used by” date. Let’s find out everything we need to know

Does Shake and Bake expire?

Most Shake and Bake style blends are made primarily of wheat flour, corn meal, panko breadcrumbs, or even pretzel bits. Then each pack will have a mixture of seasonings and additions like tomato powder, sugar, parmesan cheese, and dried onions.

Each of these ingredients are considered shelf stable and do not require any special storing temperatures. It is always recommended to store dry goods in an airtight container and out of direct sunlight.

So, the best place to store Shake N Bake is in a pantry or cabinet. Thankfully most boxes have smaller sealed packages inside that you only open when you need to use them.

Typically, you will notice that the expiration or “best by” date is about a year after you purchase them. This date does not mean that the seasoning blend goes bad on this date.

Best By dates are more used for inventory control and can be used safely after the date, as long as it is stored correctly.

Can you use Shake and Bake after expiration?

If you have a box of Shake and Bake that is past the expiration date, but still has sealed plastic bags inside, then we need to do a quick inspection be we use it.

When you first open the plastic bag, you should take a quick look to see if you notice any odd clumping or wet spots inside the package.

Just like breadcrumbs, moisture will ruin a pack of Shake N Bake. As long as the mixture is kept inside the sealed bag and it has no punctures, you can safely use it.

Some Shake N Bake’s contain flavorings that have high oil content, and these can go rancid over time. The next step after a visual inspection, is to give the little pack a sniff.

Depending on the flavor of the seasoning breading, you should be able to identify the flavor. The scent should also be pleasant and should not smell off or smell bad.

If the seasoning mix smells bad, you should immediately throw it out. This is a sign that oils may have gone rancid, or that moisture has entered the package. Moisture can lead to bacterial or mold growth.

What happens if you use expired Shake and Bake?

If you open a pack of Shake N Bake and it looks fine and smells fine, then it is totally acceptable to use it. Normally once you coat your meat with the seasoning blend, you will then bake it in the oven or air fryer.

If you skip the visual inspection and don’t smell the mixture before using, you could possibly use a pack that has gone bad.

Thankfully, it is unlikely you would not notice that the mixture is clumped due to moisture. This is the one instance that using expired Shake N Bake could lead to food poisoning or stomach upset. Moisture can be a sign of bacterial or mold growth.

If there is no excess moisture in the bag, the worst-case scenario is that the seasoning mix may taste stale or not as strong as if it was fresh. This just means that it may not be as tasty as it normally would. A slightly less taste or stale taste won’t hurt you.

As long as the Shake N Bake is stored well, you can potentially use it for another 6 months to a year after the “best by” date.

Once a pack of Shake N Bake is opened it needs to be used or thrown away. After you have coated any raw meat with the seasoning blend, you will need to throw away any that is left over.

Even though it seems like a waste, it is not safe to re-use a Shake N Bake at a later time. As soon as raw meat is introduced to the breading mix, it needs to be cooked right away.

If you were to save Shake N Bake to be used later, the moisture from the meat will start to go bad and grow bacteria or even mold. Meat juices that have been mixed with breadcrumbs, or other dry mixes will cause food poisoning.

In order to be safe, please throw out any leftover dry mixes. If you are concerned about not using enough or using too much, you can always start with one packet and then add a second packet later on if you need it. This will help you cut down on waste.

For more information about expired foods, check out “Can I eat expired Oyster Crackers?” and “What happens if you drink expired Dr Pepper?“