How To Store Oatmeal Long Term In Mason Jars

Yummy and healthy, oatmeal is a superfood that can be customized in a thousand different ways. It’s also ideal for long-term storage, so if you’re looking for shelf-stable products to keep in bulk, oatmeal is a great choice for your pantry. 

Consider this your comprehensive guide to buying, storing, and preserving oatmeal using Mason jars!

Why Glass Jars Are Ideal for Storing Oatmeal Long Term

There are several different ways to store oats, including #10 cans, Mylar bags, and food-grade buckets with gamma lids. 

However, the best oatmeal storage container is one that you probably have lying around already—Mason jars!

Here are just a few reasons why Mason jars are the ideal choice for oatmeal storage.

They Protect Against Pests

Have you ever opened a grain product to find small dark bugs inside? They could be grain beetles, granary weevils, or meal moths. 

These hungry little pests frequently burrow into flour, oats, grains, cereals, and cornmeal, laying their eggs right there in the stash.

The good news is that, unlike paper or canvas bags, these insects can’t break through glass. Once you decontaminate your oats and put them in a Mason jar, they’ll be clean for life.

They Keep Out Moisture

Oats can go bad when exposed to the elements, including oxygen and moisture. This is because they aren’t actually a “dry” food: 

They have natural oils on them, and these oils can become incubators for mold. 

Fortunately, a glass container with an airtight lid can slow down the process by not allowing any moisture to penetrate it and reach the oats.

Bonus: They Look Pretty!

Let’s face it: 

Mason jars are a crafty DIY staple. 

They’re much cuter than an industrial bucket or a stainless steel #10 can that looks like something from a survivalist bunker. 

If you’re going for practical and pretty, a Mason jar is your best friend!

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How to Store Oatmeal in Mason Jars

If you’re interested in storing oatmeal long term, the first thing to know is that there’s a big difference between cooked and uncooked. 

Cooked oatmeal that’s already been steeped in water cannot be safely stored in your pantry. It needs to go into the fridge or freezer.

Uncooked oatmeal, on the other hand, can last for years in the right pantry conditions. This is especially true if you’re stashing it in Mason jars.

To store your oatmeal:

1. Fill your Mason jars to the brim.
2. Tightly pack or press down on the oats. This is to prevent excess oxygen from spoiling them prematurely. You can also toss in a dessicant pack to absorb any lingering moisture. 
3. Secure the lid to create an airtight seal. If you have a vacuum sealer with a Mason jar attachment, you can use it to suck out the air and make your oats last even longer. (I do this with all my dried goods.)
4. Label the lid with the date. In a year or two, you won’t remember when you packed each oatmeal jar, and dating is important for proper rotation. Use older first, store newer in the back. 

Two Ways to Vacuum Seal Oats for Long Term Storage

If you want to store oatmeal for years, you’ll need to take extra steps to prevent mold, oxidation, and overall expiration. Here are two ways to extend your oatmeal shelf life:

1. Use an Oxygen Absorber

Oxygen absorbers are small packets that can be dropped in with your oats inside of their Mason jars. They’re also popular with other food storage items like rice, flour, and coffee beans. 

Their function is exactly what it sounds like—pulling in oxygen and slowing down spoilage. They’re like desiccants but for air instead of water.

2. Use a Vacuum Sealer with the Mason Jar Attachment

Vacuum sealing is a great way to suck out the excess air from a storage container. You can purchase vacuum sealers from many major retailers, and some of them even come with special Mason jars attachments. 

You just apply them to the lid, turn on the sealer, and screw on the ring when you’re done.

Alternatively, you can use a brake pump bleeder with the Mason jar attachment to manually remove the air. Weird, I know, but it works!

There’s also a new device on the market that vacuum seals jars with the push of a button:

Regardless of your methodology, remember that the optimal conditions for long-term oatmeal storage are cool, dark, and protected from the elements. 

Choosing a Mason jar is a good first step for oatmeal storage, but it’s only one factor among many to consider!

Best Oats for Long Term Storage

There are several types of oats, including rolled oats, steel-cut oats, and quick or instant oats. Their differences are largely due to how they’re processed. 

These differences can impact everything from taste and texture to how long that they take to cook.

For long term storage, rolled oats are the best. Also known as old-fashioned oats, these amazing grains can last up to 30 years in their uncooked state! 

This is because they’re steamed and flattened during the production process, which stabilizes their natural oils and makes them less likely to go rancid.

Here are some of our favorite ways to serve rolled oats!

Other types of oats will last for awhile, too. Steel-cut oats have a shelf life of anywhere from 2 – 5 years. Instant oats generally expire after a year but can often be safely consumed beyond that point.

Remember: Oats go bad when their oils get exposed to heat, oxygen, or moisture. By buying the right type of oats and storing them properly, you can keep them tucked in the pantry for a good long while.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will vacuum sealed oats last?

Vacuum sealed oats can last for years and even decades when properly stored. Rolled oats have the longest shelf life at 30+ years. Steel-cut oats will last somewhere between 2 – 5 years.

Does oatmeal expire?

Oatmeal will eventually go stale no matter how well you store it. Oats won’t necessarily spoil like meat would, but they can grow stale after several years. 

Should I freeze oats before packaging for long term storage?

It’s a good idea to freeze your oats before packing them into the pantry. It’s gross to think about, but if any bugs are living or laying eggs in the grain, freezing it for a few days will kill them off. 

It’ll also ensure that they don’t keep breeding while stuck in storage for years! Yuck.