Buzz
I’m typically the one who handles all things kitchen-related in my home, but after breaking my foot a few weeks ago, my partner has had to take charge of... well, everything. He’s doing an excellent job managing the pets and keeping the house tidy, but I do wish he’d focus a bit more on snack storage. As a result, my crackers and chips have gone stale.
I can’t quite figure out why he struggles with sealing chip bags or moving crackers into an airtight container or a freezer bag. I have a hunch it might have something to do with his tendency to leave drawers and cabinets ajar. Regardless, his oversight has led to some snacks becoming stale, which is less than ideal since munching on snacks is one of the few things that keeps me going these days. Thankfully, reviving crackers and cookies is pretty straightforward.
Simply preheat your oven.
Crackers, cookies, and chips become stale because of moisture. The water gets absorbed by the starches in these snacks, resulting in a softer texture and the loss of their crunch. A quick stint in the oven can help evaporate that moisture and bring them back to their crispy state. And if you store them in an airtight container after that, they’ll stay crisp for longer.
Keep your oven temperature low, around 200℉-225℉. I start with the lower end for delicate snacks like chips that burn easily, and increase it for sturdier options like cookies. Arrange chips and crackers in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, and place cookies and thicker crackers on a wire rack inside a rimmed sheet. Put the sheet in the oven for five minutes, then stir—or flip the crackers and cookies—and pop them back in. Continue heating and stirring/flip-flopping every five minutes until everything is perfectly crisp. Enjoy immediately, and transfer any leftovers (if there are any) to an airtight container for later.
