Almonds are rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, and magnesium, which makes almond flour a great substitute for white flour, often used by people who want to avoid eating food that contains gluten for health reasons, or as part of a new diet.
This nut flour is an excellent alternative to prepare many of your favorite dishes, from pancakes to cookies and even savory foods like chicken tenders, pizza, and crackers.
However, it’s very important to know how to store almond flour properly so it doesn’t spoil. Almond flour is rich in oils and fat, so it has the potential to become rancid, and because many people store it in the fridge so it can last longer, it may develop moisture and become moldy.
What’s the bottom line?
If kept in the right conditions, almond flour can last up to 6 months after the expiration date if stored in a pantry and up to 12 months if stored in the refrigerator.
Signs Your Almond Flour Has Gone Bad
The first thing you should check when you decide to use your almond flour is the expiration date printed on the bag. As long as it hasn’t reached that date, the contents of the bag should remain fresh.
If you keep the flour stored in the correct conditions, though, it can last even longer.
The first sign of spoiled almond flour is the smell. When almond flour is fresh, it has a neutral smell. However, when it goes bad, its smell usually becomes sour or musty. You may also notice that the color of the flour has changed, along with its texture.
If, during storage, the flour comes in contact with moisture, it can grow mold, in which case you should throw out the entire bag just to be safe.
Sometimes, almond flour may also become infested with bugs, just like regular white flour. To prevent the proliferation of insects, it is recommended to get rid of all the flour.
How To Store Almond Flour
The shelf life of almond flour depends a lot on the way you choose to store it. An unopened bag can be safely stored in the pantry at room temperature, like regular flour. It is very important that you guarantee the flour is not exposed to direct sunlight, as it does not like light or heat.
Once you open the bag, the best way to make sure the almond flour remains fresh and usable is to keep it in the fridge. The cold temperatures and the darkness will help to prolong the flour’s shelf life, but it’s important to know that it may become moist since colder temperatures tend to cause it.
Since moisture can change the texture of the flour and make it become clumpy and moldy more easily, your best bet is to transfer the contents of the bag to a different container. Make sure the container you choose has an airtight lid to prevent any air and moisture from coming in.
If you decide to refrigerate or freeze your almond flour, allow it to reach room temperature before using it again.
How Long Does Almond Flour Last
Unlike white flour, which is highly refined and can last up to eight months stored in the pantry, almond flour is high in oil and fats, which means it can become rancid.
Foods go rancid when the fats and oils oxidize as they come into contact with the air. Although rancid almond flour – or rancid food in general – isn’t dangerous, it sure isn’t pleasant!
An unopened bag of almond flour typically lasts between 2 to 4 months beyond the best-before date, if it’s kept at room temperature and away from direct sunlight. If you store it in the fridge, you can prolong its shelf life, making it last up to 12 months. If you decide to freeze it, it will last even longer, up to 2 whole years beyond the expiration date.
However, when the almond flour is open, it should be stored in the fridge immediately because this flour does not do well with light and heat. If you live in a very hot climate, you may want to store the flour in the fridge even before opening the bag.
The Verdict On Almond Flour
Almond flour can last up to 2 years past the expiration date if stored properly.
Now that you know how to keep your almond flour fresh, it’s time to start looking for new recipes to try out. You will find that you can cook or bake many of the same dishes you used to prepare with white flour and still make them delicious.
From breakfast to lunch, from sweet to savory, there is a never-ending list of meals you can prepare using this versatile flour.
