Storing Almond Flour – In-Depth Guide


Almond flour is not only delicious but also a healthier substitute for wheat flour. It is used to make macarons, biscuits, pancakes, scones, pasta, and even meatballs. It is made from powdered almond, so it is gluten-free and has a sweeter taste than wheat flour. Almond flour is also quite expensive – $9.99 per pound, so the last thing you want to do is throw almond flour away only because it went bad after improper storage.

In this article, we will tell you how to store almond flour, whether it needs to be refrigerated or frozen, how long it lasts, and how to know if almond flour is bad.

What is the best way to store almond flour? Almond flour should be stored in a well-ventilated, dark place in a plastic or glass sealed container (will last for 6-8 months). It can also be stored in the fridge (will last for 12 months) or in the freezer (will last for 18 months). Keep almond flour away from the sun, moisture, and heat.

Storing Almond Flour – All You Need to Know

As more people opt for a healthy lifestyle, gluten-free, organic products like coconut and almond flour are replacing wheat flour. Almond flour has a delicate nutty flavor and is perfect for those who want to limit their carbohydrate intake (almond flour has 50% fat, 20% of carbohydrates, and 20% of protein). Almond flour is used not only to make desserts but can also be used to make pasta, bread, and meatballs.

Since it contains a lot of oil, almond flour can quickly go rancid if stored improperly. Almond flour has a complex preparation method that includes steam treatment, rinsing, two-stage drying, powdering, and sieving. Almond flour is sold in well-sealed packages. But what is the correct way to store it?

Can You Store Almond Flour in the Pantry?

Unfortunately, almond flour, like any other type of flour, attracts a lot of bugs and worms, including moths, ants, weevils, and even cockroaches. If it happens, almond flour becomes unusable and needs to be thrown away. So if you want to enjoy the best almond flour-based desserts, you need to protect your almond flour at all costs.

Almond flour can be stored in the pantry, provided that it is a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area. However, we do not recommend storing opened almond flour in kitchen cabinets as it can attract bugs, worms, and pests. Unopened almond flour is okay to store in the pantry as it is sold in a sealed container that prevents moisture and direct sunlight. 

Can You Refrigerate and Freeze Almond Flour?

If you want to extend the shelf life of almond flour, consider moving it to the fridge or freezer. You can place unopened almond flour in the fridge or freezer too. Before refrigerating or freezing opened almond flour, move it into an airtight glass or plastic container. Make sure the container is dry and clean to prevent bugs and mold.

Should you refrigerate almond flour? It is desirable to refrigerate opened almond flour to keep it away from heat, direct sunlight, and moisture. However, unopened almond flour can be stored in the cool, well-ventilated cupboard. Refrigerating and freezing almond flour prevents the almond oil from getting bitter.

Can you freeze almond flour? Opened almond flour can be put in the freezer for up to 12 months in a well-sealed plastic or glass container to avoid direct sunlight, moisture, and heat. It is not necessary to store unopened almond flour in the freezer.

Almond flour can be stored in the pantry, fridge, or freezer, depending on whether you opened it or not. We recommend placing open almond flour in a well-sealed glass or plastic container, while unopened flour should be kept in its original packaging.

If you live in a hot climate, avoid storing almond flour in the pantry, as even the coolest places in your house will not be cool enough to keep the product safe. Also, if you noticed too many bugs and spiders in your house before, consider moving even unopened almond flour to the fridge or freezer to avoid problems.

Before cooking with frozen almond flour, let it sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes to thaw. If you cook with frozen almond flour, it can lead to clumps, a changed texture, and a less pronounced taste and aroma. 

You cannot use a microwave oven to thaw almond flour as it will lead to a change in taste and texture.

How Long Does Almond Flour Last?

Unopened almond flour lasts for 8-10 months if stored in the pantry and up to 18 months in a well-sealed container in the fridge or freezer. Once opened, it is better consumed within 2 months if stored in the pantry or 8-12 months if stored in the fridge or freezer.

The easiest way to see how long your almond flour is good for is to look at the packaging, which usually says that almond flour lasts for 12 months. However, its shelf life can be both reduced or extended by storing conditions. For example, if you keep opened almond flour on the kitchen windowsill, it will go bad in a week after being exposed to direct sunlight. But if you keep the product in an airtight container in the freezer, it can survive up to 18 months!

How long is almond flour good for after opening? Almond flour is good for 2 months after opening if kept in the pantry, for 8-12 months when stored in the fridge, and for 18 months if kept in the freezer.

Can I use almond flour past its expiration date? Usually, almond flour can be used past its expiration date if it was stored properly in the fridge or freezer in a well-ventilated container away from direct sunlight, moisture, and heat, and the flour does not have a rancid smell, mold, wet clumps, or bugs and worms and has not changed its color.

Since almond flour does not contain moisture, it has a long shelf life. However, we recommend purchasing small packages and using them as quickly as possible. It is easy to forget to put almond flour in a dirty or moist container that is not properly sealed, but it will only lead to bugs, worms, and even mold.

How to Know If Almond Flour Is Bad?

Luckily, defining if almond flour is bad is not a rocket science. Let’s find out what you need to do:

How do you know if almond flour has gone bad? Almond flour has gone bad if:

  1. It smells rancid or sour
  2. Change in texture or color (yellow, brown, green, etc.)
  3. There are wet clumps or even mold (blue, green)
  4. There are weevils and other bugs and worms

The most obvious signs that almond flour is bad are rancid smell (since the product is oil-rich), color mutation, and bugs. If you notice any of the above-mentioned signs, throw the product immediately. When almond flour goes bad, not only does it change the texture, taste, and smell of the baked food, but it also can be dangerous to your health and leave to severe food poisoning (especially mold).

Wet clumps and a coarse texture are other signs that your almond flour went bad. When flour gets wet clumps, it means it was affected by moisture and humidity. It usually leads to a change in taste, smell, and texture, so if you use almond flour to make desserts, they will not be as sweet and velvety.

Fresh almond flour should have a pleasant nutty aroma, a white color with brownish-red flecks if it is unblanched, and a velvety, porous texture. Only high-quality fresh almond flour will make your dishes soft, airy, mildly sweet, creamy with hints of nuts. 

Conclusion

After reading our article, you should have no problems extending the shelf life of almond flour and determining if it went bad. If you buy small packages of almond flour and keep them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, your desserts will acquire a pleasant velvety texture and a delicious nutty aroma.

Recent Posts