Many of our favourite snacks from local stores or eateries come in temporary wrappers. But we often aim to make or buy snacks for later consumption. Thus, you need reliable alternative containers like airtight glass jars.
Imagine reaching out for a cookie, biscuit, or energy bar - and it feels soggy. Or a chunk of cheese or fruit with an unpleasant smell or taste. As such, you should mind the ideal storage conditions to preserve your snacks. It makes sense to transfer them into airtight glass jars.
Common Avoidable Mistakes While Storing Your Snacks
Check out some avoidable errors that can tamper with well-known snacks.
Crisps
Your beloved bag of crisps may serve you several days of crunchy indulgence. But its resting place should be in a freezer. Have them wrapped in well-sealed plastic bags before doing so. Or better still, use airtight glass jars.
Crackers
Leaving your crackers inside plastic bags is a big NO. You may not realize it, but plastic bags can absorb moisture and air. Rather, place your crackers inside an airtight container.
Cookies
Cookies should remain crunchy, but not dry out. So keep them in well-sealed containers; glass jars are the best. Again, allow newly-baked cookies to cool off before covering them. To keep them crunchy, place a slice of bread inside the container.
Popcorn
You should keep both popcorn kennels and prepared popcorn in a freezer. Because once you open it, popcorn becomes stale or softened pretty quick. A perfect opportunity to use tightly-sealed glass jam jars with lids. Or else, well-sealed bags or containers are suitable.
Chocolate
Chocolate has two weaknesses. First, it only stays firm below 18.3 degrees Celsius. Again, chocolate can imbibe the strong flavours and smells floating around your refrigerator. But you can work around using a fridge in hot weather. Protect the chocolate with airtight containers, or glass jam jars with lids. Or else use a well-sealed bag.
Beef Jerky
Beef jerky lasts longer in an airtight container. Again, leave beef jerky out of the fridge. Let it rest in its container somewhere dark, at low temperature.
Granola
Surrounding temperatures can impact the ingredients in granola. So, it is advisable to store it in well-sealed containers or wrappers. But sealable glass jars are a top choice. Ensure it stays out of hot or humid places.
Yoghurt
It is vital to keep yoghurt in a tightly-covered container. Its original packaging should suffice. Keep reusing the lid and foil covering the yoghurt container to seal it throughout.
Cheese
Cheese needs to ‘breathe’, so it does not need extra-tight wrapping. You aim to keep microbes away from the cheese and preserve its aroma. So, have it wrapped in parchment paper or beeswax wrapping.
Nuts
Nuts are prone to heat, humidity, and light because of their oil content. It is sensible to keep them sealed in a freezer. Here again, glass jam jars with lids, or tightly-sealed glass jars, are useful.
Brownies
Leave your brownies uncut until you are set to feast on them. Or else it will become hard. And cut out the portion you want to eat right then. Beyond this, your brownies will remain good in a tightly-sealed plastic wrap. For better results, keep them in sealable glass jars.
Ice Cream
Ice cream belongs to the coldest region of your freezer - the very bottom. The freezer door is a no-go area. The freezer door is prone to open air each time you open it.
Choosing the Right Jar Shape for Your Snacks
Not every snack suits every jar. The shape affects how easy it is to reach inside, how well the contents stack on a shelf, and how the jar looks on display. Here are helpful tips for choosing a suitable jar for your snacks:
|
Jar Shape |
Snack Ideas |
Why It's Suitable |
|
Orcio jar |
Biscuits, cookies, teacakes, flapjacks |
Wide, rounded body holds bulky baked goods; vintage look suits country kitchens |
|
Square jar |
Nuts, seeds, granola, dried lentils |
The straight sides can stack together, efficiently using shelf space; modern aesthetic |
|
Squat jar |
Crisps/chips, popcorn, pretzels, trail mix |
Low, wide opening lets you grab handfuls of snacks easily; very stable on table tops |
|
Hexagonal jar |
Sweets, honey-roasted nuts, artisan snacks |
The six-sided silhouette is attractive; perfect for open shelving or market stalls |
|
Standard round jar |
All-rounders: rice cakes, oatcakes, crackers |
Classic, versatile, and widely available with matching lids |
How Long Each Snack Lasts in an Airtight Glass Jar
Knowing how long each snack genuinely lasts in a properly sealed glass jar helps you plan and avoid waste. Here's a practical reference guide:
|
Snack |
Airtight Glass Jar (Room Temp) |
Fridge |
Freezer |
|
Crisps/chips |
1-2 weeks |
Not recommended |
Not recommended |
|
Crackers/cream crackers |
2-3 weeks |
Not recommended |
Not recommended |
|
Biscuits and cookies |
2-3 weeks |
Not recommended |
Up to 3 months |
|
Popcorn (popped) |
1-2 weeks |
Not recommended |
Not recommended |
|
Chocolate |
Up to 1 year (below 18°C) |
2-3 months (wrapped) |
Up to 6 months |
|
Biltong/beef jerky |
1-2 weeks |
Up to 1 month |
Up to 6 months |
|
Granola |
2-3 weeks |
Up to 1 month |
Up to 3 months |
|
Nuts (mixed, shelled) |
1-3 months |
4-6 months |
Up to 1 year |
|
Brownies |
3-4 days |
Up to 1 week |
Up to 3 months |
|
Yoghurt |
Not applicable |
Use by best before date |
Not recommended |
|
Cheese (hard) |
Not applicable |
3-6 weeks (wrapped) |
Up to 6 months |
Pro Tip: Always label your jars with the contents and the date stored. When in doubt, check for changes in smell, texture, or appearance before eating.
8 Vital Tips to Help Keep Your Snacks Fresh
Following these vital tips below can lengthen the shelf-life of your favourite snacks.
- Find out the specific guidelines for storing each snack when you buy it.
- Remove snacks like nuts, granola, candies, and chocolate far from light and heat.
- People eat several snacks in crispy form. As such, you should shield them from moisture and air. To effect this, keep them in well-sealed containers with tamper-proof lids. Neither should the container be in a moist environment.
- You may use a large sealable container to keep several bags of snacks. But ensure each snack has its secure wrapper. If possible, partition the available space.
- A quality method of preserving baked foods is to wrap them in beeswax wraps. Not only do they keep your snacks tasting fresh. Beeswax wraps are washable and reusable.
- Avoid using jars with narrow openings or tall and narrow bodies to keep snacks. The same rule applies to all foods. It is better to use large-diameter jars with airtight lids.
- You should keep certain foods out of the freezer. Mayonnaise, creams, fresh and soft cheeses, and fried foods are examples. Also, do not freeze water-rich veggies and fruits. It may tamper with their texture.
- To thaw frozen produce in glass containers, transfer them first into the fridge. Otherwise, bring them out into the open air to thaw at room temperature. Liquid foods, in particular, need enough time to defrost on their own. No matter how slow, allow the defrosting to run its natural course.
How to Prepare Glass Jars for Storing Snacks (Step-by-Step)
Before transferring fresh crisps/chips, biscuits, or roasted nuts into your glass storage jars, following a proper prep routine prevents any lingering moisture from ruining your snacks' crunch/shelf-life.
1. Clean Glass Jars and Lids Thoroughly
Wash your square, squat, or Orcio glass jars in warm, soapy water. Pay close attention to the rubber gaskets or lid linings to remove any leftover oil residue from previous contents.
2. Remove All Moisture
Place the washed glass jars on a clean baking tray in an oven heated to 100°C for 10 minutes. Crucial: Trapped micro-moisture inside an airtight jar will make potato crisps and biscuits go soft within hours.
3. Pack in The Snacks
Allow the jars to cool completely to room temperature before filling. Fill your squat or horizontal jars, leaving roughly 1-2cm of headspace at the top so the lid closes without crushing fragile contents.
4. Seal & Label the Glass Jars
Firmly clamp down clip-top wire seals or screw on twist-off metal lids. Apply a chalkboard or water-resistant label noting the purchase or best-before date.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What is the best container for keeping snacks fresh in the UK?
Airtight glass jars are the most effective snack storage containers for UK kitchens. Unlike plastic, glass doesn't absorb odours or flavours from previous contents, is fully washable and reusable, and creates a more reliable airtight seal over time.
How do you keep crisps fresh after opening?
Transfer opened crisps immediately into a large airtight glass jar with a wide mouth; 500ml or larger. Push out as much air as possible before sealing. Crisps stored this way stay crunchier for one to two weeks compared to a clipped-open bag, which usually goes stale within a day or two.
Where should I store glass snack jars in a small UK kitchen?
Use the back of a bottom cupboard or a pantry shelf, the coolest, darkest spot. If you only have open shelving, choose tinted glass or keep jars away from the cooker and kettle. Square jars maximise limited shelf depth in compact British kitchens.
Are glass jars better than plastic Tupperware for snacks?
Yes. Glass does not absorb odours, stain, or leach chemicals. It is also recyclable under UK kerbside schemes, whereas many plastic food containers are not accepted by all councils.