A healthy alternative to wheat flour, almond flour is becoming increasingly popular. If you have a bag of almond flour in your pantry, you may need to know whether or not it is still good.

Almond flour can last for about 5 months past the best by date if it has not been exposed to moisture. If it is frozen, it can be safe for consumption indefinitely. 

Does Almond Flour Go Bad? How Long Does Almond Flour Last?

With the gluten-free alternative to wheat flour growing more popular, it is important to know how to tell if your almond flour is good or not.

How Long Does Almond Flour Last Outside?

A popular place to store flour is in the pantry because it is a cool dark place. Unopened almond flour that is stored in the pantry can be good for about 5 months past the best by date.

If the flour has been opened, it is still okay to keep it in the pantry but it needs to be tightly sealed to keep out moisture and pantry pests.

If opened and properly sealed either in an airtight bag or plastic storage container, almond flour can last in the pantry for about 3 months.

How Long Does Almond Flour Last In The Fridge?

Storing a bag of almond flour in the fridge can keep it fresh longer. An unopened package of almond flour is good for 6-12 months past the best by date.

If your package of almond flour has been opened, it can remain fresh in the fridge for about 3-6 months past the best by date.

If you are storing an opened package of almond flour in the fridge, it is best to transfer it to an airtight container. This is important to keep the almond flour from clumping.

How Long Does Almond Flour Last In The Freezer?

Almond flour stays fresh the longest in the freezer. If you have a bag of flour you know you won’t be using anytime soon, stick it in the freezer.

An unopened package of almond flour will last in the freezer for 1-2 years past the best by date. An opened package will last for 6-12 months past the best by date.

The best by date is the recommended date by which your almond flour will be at its best quality. Almond flour that has been unopened and stored in the freezer will remain safe to eat indefinitely.

How To Tell If Almond Flour Has Gone Bad/How To Know If Almond Flour Is Fresh

Fresh almond flour has some distinctive characteristics.

Consistency: Almond flour should have a loose consistency and a consistent grain size.

Smell: Almond flour should smell like the nut it is derived from. Almond flour is often described as having a pleasant, nutty aroma.

Color: Fresh almond flour should be beige or cream in color similar to that of almonds without skin.

As mentioned, almond flour can and does go bad. There are a few things to look out for.

Smell: If almond flour has gone bad, it can have a sour, or rancid aroma. This is due to the almond flour containing oil.

Appearance: If your almond flour is clumpy, it may have been exposed to moisture. Moisture will affect the texture of the almond flour and be hard to work with.

Pests: If you notice any specs in your almond flour, it could be a sign it has been infested by bugs. Nut flours in particular attract insects such as weevils that can lay eggs in the flour. Though harmless, consuming weevils is less than appetizing.

Mold: Check your almond flour for mold. If your flour has gotten wet, it can begin to grow mold after a few days.

How To Store Almond Flour

Almond flour can be stored in the pantry, fridge, or freezer. The colder the area, the longer the shelf life. Wherever you store it, follow these basic steps.

Keep it cool: Oil-rich foods like almond flour do not fare well in heat and light. Keep the flour in a cool area away from windows and hot appliances.

Keep it dry: Wet flour can clump and mold. Store the almond flour in a way that keeps it dry.

Keep it airtight: Keeping almond flour in an airtight container is one of the most important rules. It will help ensure it stays dry and free of bugs.

Can You Freeze Almond Flour? How?

Almond flour can be frozen and freezing it helps lengthen its shelf life. Unopened, frozen almond flour can be safe to eat indefinitely. To keep your almond flour long-lasting and fresh tasting, follow these steps.

Leave it unopened: If the package is unopened and you won’t need it for quite some time, sticking the unopened, original package in the freezer is the best way to do it. It requires no prep, just stick it in the freezer.

Protect it from the air: If you have already opened the flour and need to freeze it, place it in an airtight container. You can place the original opened package of flour into an airtight bag or plastic container and stick it into the freezer.

Protect it from the cold: Freezing keeps it fresh longer, but it also needs to be protected from the freezing temps. Adding an extra layer of plastic wrap or double bagging it can help protect it.

How To Thaw Almond Flour

Thawing almond flour is a little different. You cannot pop it into the microwave to defrost it. Coming out of the freezer it may be a little clumpy because of the moisture that is drawn into the flour.

To thaw, let the almond flour sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This will help the consistency of the flour turn to normal and it will be easier to work with.

Frequently Asked Questions About Almond Flour’s Shelf Life

Can eating expired almond flour make you sick? All packages of almond flour come with a best by date. Almond flour is typically good for several months up to a couple of years past that date. If the almond flour is not showing any signs of spoilage such as a bad odor, dark specks, or clumpy consistency, it should be safe to eat.

I ate my almond flour then realized it had weevils! Will I get sick? Packages of flour can come home with weevils in them. If you accidentally ate some, you are perfectly safe. One remedy is to freeze the flour for four days which will kill the adult weevil and any eggs left behind. After freezing it, pour the flour on a sifter to separate it from the dead weevils then transfer it to an air-tight container to store properly.

Wrap-Up

Almond flour is a delicious and healthy alternative to wheat flour and now you know how to properly store it as well as what to watch out for to ensure you can enjoy it at its highest quality.