Most of our customers eat through their supply of FUUL long before its best-buy date, but we know that some of you likely use FUUL as some emergency fuel on a long workday, a cheat meal option you can feel good about, etc.
So, how long do protein cookie dough bites last before you need to toss them out? It turns out that’s a bit more complicated than just giving you a date after purchase.
We’re going to look at all the factors to give you a better understanding of how long protein cookie dough bites last before it’s time to restock.
FUUL is Shelf-Stable and Long-Lasting
We can’t speak for anybody else, but at FUUL, our protein cookie dough is designed to be shelf-stable. Thanks to the carefully chosen ingredients, it doesn’t need to be refrigerated, and because of its airtight packaging, it’s not prone to going bad in the traditional sense. It’s not like you buy it, and then two weeks later, it goes bad and rots like other groceries.
You can buy FUUL, and there’s a very good chance that you won’t have any left before it becomes a problem.
However, let’s assume that you bought some full-protein cookie dough bites, one bag fell into the depths of your pantry, and now you’re wondering if it’s good to eat. What do you do?
1. Check the Best by Date
First and foremost, and you’ve probably already thought about this, but check the best-by date.
This sounds like common sense, but as long as you haven’t subjected the packaging to anything outside of the ordinary, the cookie dough will be just as we intended it to be until that date. We’ll cover some things that can change that later.
Although the best-by date isn’t always the final determining factor. It’s a “best by” date. Not an expiration date. While it’s not recommended, it’s not like you reach that date and the protein cookie dough suddenly goes rancid.
2. Appearance and Smell Test
If you’re a little past the best-by date, or the dough has been exposed to some improper conditions, the first thing you want to do is pop the bag open, plop some into your palm, and check it out. If it looks as it should, smell it.
After the best-by date, and if the protein cookie dough has been exposed to anything it shouldn’t have been exposed to, it might discolor. That’ll be your first hint that it’s not going to be its best. If it looks fine, smell it. It’s hard to word it properly, but when something has gone stale, it has a smell to it.
If you notice any mold, discoloration that isn’t simply lightening of its natural color, or smell anything out of the ordinary, don’t eat it.
3. Taste Test
Of course, if you’ve done everything so far, the only thing left to do to make sure it’s still good is take a bite. Assuming the packaging is sealed and everything else checks out, it’s incredibly shelf stable, and you can enjoy delicious cookie dough protein bites without worry.
What Happens if Your Protein Cookie Dough Bites Go Bad?
Protein cookie dough bites have to be left for quite a long time before they go bad in the traditional sense. Instead, they tend to go stale like we talked about earlier. The main issue with that is that their color changes, their texture can become gritty and weird, and their taste lowers dramatically.
We don’t recommend eating it in that state, but the risks are pretty low. It’s just a bad experience, and the nutrients have likely started to break down. So, you’re not getting the results you want, either. If it’s been too long, you might get mildly sick.
It’s best to just toss it and order some more. Luckily, our customers rarely have that happen, and they eat through their stash pretty quickly because it tastes way too good to last long.
Also read: How Can You Tell If Protein Cookie Dough Snacks Have Gone Bad?
How to Preserve the Freshness of Your Protein Cookie Dough Bites
You can’t do too much to prevent the effects of aging, but you can prevent your protein cookie dough bites from going bad due to other reasons. Here are some quick tips to help you make the most out of every order.
1. Keep it Cool
You don’t need to refrigerate your dough, but if it’s in your summer bag, car, or anywhere warm, avoid leaving it there for too long. Heat can soften the dough and affect its texture.
A cool, dark pantry or any shaded spot indoors works perfectly. Enjoying cookie dough bites every day is easy when you store them properly, and this is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your dough fresh all the way up to the best-by date without any worries.
2. Avoid Crush and Puncture Hazards
We package cookie dough bites to stay safe and stable for a long time. They’re designed to be perfect on-the-go snacks, so a little rough handling is expected.
But if something happens to that packaging, it can go stale very quickly. It’s just like having an open bag of chips that’s fine one day and stale the next. So, try your best to avoid putting it near anything that might puncture the bag or fall over and crush it.
That includes keeping it out of any area that you know has a rodent problem. They know our cookie dough is tasty, too. They’ll definitely rip open the bag, and then you have bigger problems than it going stale.
3. Keep Away from Chemicals and Moisture
A lot of people don’t realize this, but even high-quality packaging can absorb surrounding contaminants over time. That’s why leaving a perfectly sealed bottle of water somewhere for a long time can be dangerous. The plastic lets microbes get in slowly but surely.
It’s not a huge risk or anything, but you should avoid putting your dough bites near cleaning chemicals, overly moist areas, such as near sinks, etc.
Try FUUL Today
So, how long do protein cookie dough bites last, and how do you make sure they stay fresh and delicious? The good news is they’re made to be shelf-stable, which means you’ll probably finish every last bite long before you ever have to worry about their expiration date.
Even so, where you keep them and how you handle the packaging can affect how long they hold onto their signature texture and rich flavor.
At FUUL, we make the best protein-packed cookie dough bites, and we’ve got two crave-worthy flavors to choose from: classic chocolate chip and sweet birthday cake.
They’re easy to store, fun to snack on, and perfect for whenever you need a quick little boost. Contact us today to learn more or grab your own bag and see why our customers can’t get enough!