Stale cereal is dry cereal that has absorbed moisture or lost aroma. It is not the same as cereal contaminated by pests, mould, water or rancid ingredients.
Check before reusing
- No visible insects or webbing
- No mould or damp clumps
- No sour, rancid or chemical odour
- No recall or allergen concern
- No contamination from an unclean container
Restore some crispness
Some plain cereals can be spread on a clean tray and warmed briefly in a low oven, then cooled completely. Follow a trusted recipe and watch carefully because sweetened cereal can scorch.
Use as an ingredient
Crush safe stale cereal for crumbs, baking or toppings where perfect bowl texture is not important.
Do not rescue uncertainty
When water, pests, mould or an off odour is involved, discard the product. Heating does not reliably correct every hazard.