Do potato chips go bad?

An unopened bag of potato chips keeps until the best-by date on the bag. Once opened, chips stay crisp for about 1 to 2 weeks if the bag is closed tightly.

Food	Pantry
Potato chips	Until the use-by dateOpened: 1–2 weeks

Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.

How to tell if chips have gone bad

Soft, chewy chips are stale: safe, but disappointing.
A rancid smell or a bitter, paint-like taste: the oil has gone off.
Mold, which is rare, or insects in the bag.

How to store potato chips

Squeeze the air out of an opened bag and seal it with a clip, or move the chips to an airtight container.
Keep them in a cool, dry, dark place: light and heat make the oil go rancid.
Don't store chips in the fridge: they absorb moisture.

Can you freeze potato chips?

You can, in their sealed bag, and they stay surprisingly crisp, but there's rarely any need.

Questions

Can you eat chips after the best-by date?

Usually yes, if they don't smell or taste rancid. They may be less crisp.

How do you make stale chips crispy again?

Spread them on a baking sheet and bake them for a few minutes at about 180 °C (350 °F), then let them cool.

Why do some chips bags look half empty?

The bag is filled with nitrogen to protect the chips from breaking and to keep oxygen out, which slows rancidity.

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