Almond flour is a nice alternative when it comes to flour in general. It is now gaining traction as a commonly used flour for multiple recipes. Many have doubts about the shelf life of this flour.
In this article, we will clearly spread all awareness about almond flour’s shelf life along with its storage and expiry signs. Almond flour can last long without any hassles or spoilage, provided you preserve it right and intact.
Speaking generally, a packet of almond flour that is not opened yet is good to use for about three months from the best buy packet mentioned on its packet.
I’ll also tell you how long almond flour lasts in the fridge.
Just go through the whole article to know whether it will turn bad or how we can maintain it right. We can also deal with its shelf life which determines how it has to be preserved and how long it can be used.
Let us quickly zone into the details of the article to know more about this.
Does Almond Flour Go Bad?
Almond flour goes bad because it is made from almond seeds from an oil-based plant and is susceptible to spoilage.
Storage should be very intact when it comes to almond flour and the failure of which can acidify the almond flour. The whole product will become sour and stale.
This flour is made from blanched and strained almonds, which makes it more vulnerable for the flour to going bad.
How Long Does Almond Flour Last?
Almond flour is just like any other flour regarding its shelf life. Generally, how long would peanut flour or coconut flour last hold good for almond flour as well?
An unopened packet of almond flour would be fresh for 3 to 4 months past the best-by date. At the same time, an unopened packet of almond flour would be good in the fridge for seven to 12 months.
Freezing the almond flour would extend its shelf life for two years straight.
The quality of the long-standing opened almond flour is quite tentative and deserves a careful watch when it is going to be used. Storing it in the fridge or freezer is a different case where the shelf life is a little longer.
The below table will be an excellent guide to let you know the storage duration of almond flour.
| Almond flour | Past Best-By Date | Refrigerator Past Best-By Date | Freezer Past Best-By Date |
| Unopened | 3 to 5 months | 7 to 12 months | 1 to 2 years |
| Opened | Use it before best-by date | 2 to 4 months | 5 to 10 months |
How Do You Know That Almond Flour Has Gone Bad?
Below are the obvious signs of almond flour gone bad. Let us review them one by one and check for the signs to see if it has gone bad.
1. Change In Aroma
Fresh almonds usually have a nutty smell, which persists even when it is grounded into a powder. A packet of almond flour would emanate this odor. It is a sure-shot sign that it has gone bad if it has lost this smell.
2. Altered Color
Almond flour is not usually ivory or white. They have a light brown or a faded yellow color which is very visible. Almond flour which has been preserved for a long time, should maintain this color. If there is any change in the color, it is better to discard it immediately.
3. Clumps
Almond flour is very vulnerable and prone to getting stuck with moisture. It has to be locked away from external air so that moisture does not intrude. The clumps formed in the flour are indicative of spoiled almond flour. The mold will then start to grow to spoil the whole flour instantly.
4. Grayish Spots
When mold starts growing on the flour, the surface of the flour will develop green or grayish spots. This is an indication that it has become moist and spoiled.
Sometimes it might be developed on the external surface, leaving the inner layers to be free from any damage. In this case, the outer surface can be scraped off or removed, and the rest of the flour can still be used.
5. Insects
Moist flour attracts insect-like bacteria, and that is quite a visible sign to discard it immediately. The insects will feed on the flour and breed on the whole package rendering it completely useless.
How Do You Store Almond Flour?
Storing the almond flour correctly saves it from any eventual damage or breeding of bacteria and insects. Below are some tips which might be useful for you to extend its shelf life.
1. Select A Cool Place
A slightly moderate temperature place without any eventual lighting or heat should be an apt place to store almonds. This will shield the flour from oxidizing, preventing it from becoming rancid and smelly.
2. Keep The Flour In A Sealed Container
The flour has to be preserved in a closed container that is properly sealed without any gaps.
If you have opened it once and cannot completely package it back the same way, you can shift it to another packet and seal it completely. Sometimes a ziplock bag or a plastic bag that is sealed tight could be the way to go.
3. Refrigerate
This is the best way to store almond flour, which can be refrigerated for years together without any issues. You still have to package it in a sealed bag, and there should be no leaks.
This will definitely shield the flour from attracting insects and will also eventually lock out any bacteria that could potentially affect the flour.
Risk Of Consuming Spoiled Almond Flour
The almond flour should be kept away from usage if you have any visible signs of damage. Consuming spoiled almond flour would also lead to digestion issues and food poisoning.
This could create myriad issues in your body which sometimes would be lethal as well. Hence eating expired almond flour should be duly avoided at all costs.
Can You Freeze Almond Flour?
Freezing almond flour can prolong its shelf life indefinitely without any issues. It can go on for a long time if it is preserved in a sealed bag or a container.
Buying a package of almond flour for long-term usage deserves preserving it in the freezer. Place the entire packet in the freezer, leaving it for days. Make sure to place it in a sealed bag even if it is not preserved in the package you bought.
Conclusion
Almond flour is generally a shelf-stable product that can last for years when preserved intact. Freezing or refrigerating it can extend its shelf life to how much ever we want.
This article would help you gain some knowledge on the topic of preserving almond flour. The right way is to just stick to the timelines and storage techniques for the almond flour to stay longer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does almond flour go bad?
Almond flour goes bad because it is made from almond seeds from an oil-based plant and is susceptible to spoilage.
How long does almond flour last?
An unopened packet of almond flour would be fresh for 3 to 4 months past the best-by date. At the same time, an unopened packet of almond flour would be good in the fridge for seven to 12 months. Freezing the almond flour would extend its shelf life for two years straight.
How do you know that almond flour has gone bad?
Change in aroma, altered color, clumps, grayish spots and insects are some of the signs to indicate that the almond flour has gone bad.
How do you store almond flour?
Store it in a cool place or in a refrigerator. This is the best way to store almond flour, which can be refrigerated for years together without any issues. You still have to package it in a sealed bag, and there should be no leaks.
Can you freeze almond flour?
Freezing almond flour can prolong its shelf life indefinitely without any issues. It can go on for a long time if it is preserved in a sealed bag or a container. Buying a package of almond flour for long-term usage deserves preserving it in the freezer. Place the entire packet in the freezer, leaving it for days.
