Baking Powder is a staple in many kitchens when it comes to baking.  Making sure your baking powder is ready for use is needed if you plan to use this product.

Quick Answer

Baking Powder is a dry ingredient, and contrary to popular belief, it does not last forever.  The active ingredients in Baking Powder that help cakes rise are no longer useful after an extended period of time.  Baking Powder has a shelf life of six months to a year if properly stored.  An unopened package could last for up to two years.

There are ways to improve the baking powder’s shelf life and check to see if it is still usable.

Does Baking Powder Go Bad? How Long Does Baking Powder Last?

Baking Powder does go bad and can be determined by the expiration date on the package.  An opened box of Baking powder can last from six months to 12 months if stored properly.  An unopened package could last for two years.

How Long Does Baking Powder Last Outside?

The best place to store baking powder is outside of the fridge.  Any area of your kitchen that does not tend to get wet or have liquids is best.

Pantry/Cabinet: A dry and cool area of a pantry or cabinet will help extend shelf-life. It is okay to leave the Baking Powder in the packaging that you bought it in. You can also put it inside of a sealed plastic container to ensure no moisture gets to it.

Counter: If you do not have pantry or cabinet space, storing it on the counter is perfectly fine. You can also store Baking Powder in a plastic sealed container on the counter. Keeping it inside of a plastic container will ensure it stays fresh and dry until next use.

How Long Does Baking Powder Last in the Fridge?

Baking Powder does not last if placed inside of a refrigerator. Refrigerators have condensation or moisture that preserves the food inside. The moisture can cause a reaction making your baking powder useless when needed.

Plastic bags or containers will not prevent condensation from getting to the product. There is no safe way to store Baking Powder in the refrigerator.

It is never suggested to use this method to store baking powder because Baking powders need to be dry.

How Long Does Baking Powder Last in the Freezer?

Baking Powder should also not be stored in the freezer.  The freezer has even more condensation than a refrigerator does. A Freezer will definitely cause your product to be useless. The freezer is not a suggested method for storing Baking Powder.

Baking powder will not last in the freezer for any period of time.  Plastic bags or containers will not prevent condensation from getting to the product.

The best place to store baking powder is outside on a counter, pantry, or cabinet.  To ensure that it remains dry, place it inside a sealed plastic container.

How To Tell If Baking Powder Has Gone Bad / How To Know Baking Soda is Fresh

Package:  The expiration date on the package is a great way to tell if the baking powder has gone bad.  Check the date included on the packaging first before testing it out.

Test it:  It is easy and effortless to check to see if your baking powder is still good.  Remember that it reacts when added to liquids.  Add a spoonful of baking powder to room temperature water to see if it reacts.

Other ways:  If you have already used the baking powder, you can tell if it is bad or good. If your baking item did not rise, your baking powder is no longer any good. If it did rise, then it is still good.

How to Store Baking Powder?

Shelf:  The shelf life of baking powder is anywhere from six months to a year.  When the baking powder is no longer useful, a great gauge is the package’s expiration date.  Its potency is not as effective over time.

Fridge:  Baking powder is a dry ingredient that should not be refrigerated. The refrigerator contains moisture that can cause the baking powder to react. It will not be useful once it becomes damp, even if it is still inside of the package.

Freezer:  The same precautions should be taken for the freezer when dealing with baking powder.  The condensation from the freezer can also cause the powder to react.

Can You Freeze Baking Powder? How?

No, freezing Baking Powder will not be good if you try to freeze it.  Baking powder will not preserve in the freezer.  Instead, you will have Baking Powder that is useless.

There are no freezer-safe ways to preserve Baking Powder.  Even using plastic bags or containers will not prevent moisture from collecting inside.  It is not recommended to freeze this product.

How to Thaw Baking Powder?

Baking Powder looks like a powder. Powder does not freeze unless you add moisture. Baking Powder will activate once it has moisture and will not help in the baking process.

It is not recommended to freeze Baking Powder so thawing the product is unnecessary.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baking Powder’s Shelf Life

Is it safe to use baking powder that has gone bad?  Yes. It is still safe to consume baking powder that has gone bad.  Eating food with baking powder that is no good does not cause illness.  The effects will be that your baked goods will not rise as expected.  It will be denser (heavier) than expected.

How can you extend the shelf life of baking powder? The best way to extend baking powder’s shelf life is to store it in a cool and dry area. Store it inside of a pantry or cabinet.  To extend the life longer, use a waterproof container after opening the product.  If left out on the counter for an extended amount of time, a waterproof container is essential.

Can you use baking powder in place of baking soda?  Yes.  If you need baking soda for a recipe, you can replace it with baking powder.  You will need to use three times the amount of baking powder than baking soda.  Ex:  1 teaspoon baking soda = 3 teaspoons baking powder

Can you use too much baking powder?  Yes. You can use too much baking powder while cooking. Using too much can make your baked goods bitter. It can also cause your bake to rise quickly and seem deflated like a balloon after that.

Wrap Up

The best way to store baking powder is in a cool, dry cabinet or pantry.  Once opened, improve the shelf life by adding the baking powder to a waterproof container.  Baking powder has an expiration date but usually lasts six months to a year.  It could last for up to two years if the package has never been opened.