Almond flour is one of the most popular gluten-free flours on the market – and it has impressive nutrition stats as well! High in heart-healthy fats (and calories), rich in fiber, and low in carbs, almond flour can be a healthy flour alternative for anyone, not just those following a gluten-free lifestyle.
In fact, almond flour is friendly to both keto and paleo diets (in addition to being a great gluten-free option, as I mentioned).
If you’re already a user of almond flour, or perhaps you’re considering it, you might wonder how long until it goes bad.
When sealed, almond flour will last 1-2 months past its printed “best-by” or expiration date when stored in the pantry. If the sealed bag is in the fridge or freezer, expect it to last 6-12 months past the printed date. If the bag is opened, it will last until the printed date in the pantry and around 3-6 months (possibly more) when stored in the fridge or freezer.
What is the shelf life of almond flour?
The shelf life of almond flour depends on whether it’s opened or sealed. Because almonds are high in fat, almond flour contains more oils than more common flours (like all-purpose flour), which can go rancid if not stored properly.
If your almond flour is sealed, it should last 1-2 months past the “best-by” or expiration date printed on the package when stored in the pantry. If you store that same sealed bag in the refrigerator or freezer, it should last 6-12 months.
How long does almond flour last after opening?
Opening almond flour exposes it to oxygen and heat, which could cause the oils in the flour to go rancid more quickly. Therefore, almond flour will go bad sooner once you open it, so it has a shorter shelf life.
Once opened, almond flour should keep until the date printed on the package. If you store it in the fridge or freezer, you’ll likely be able to get around 3-6 more months out of it!
Some sources say that opened almond flour will last 6-12 months in the freezer if it’s tightly sealed. Since there’s no exact science to the shelf life of flour (it can also vary by manufacturer), the best thing to do if you’ve had an opened bag of almond flour in the freezer for 6-12 months is to give it a taste/smell and use your judgment to determine if it’s still fresh enough to use (we’ll offer some tips on how to tell if it’s gone bad soon!).
| Pantry | Fridge | Freezer | |
| Almond flour – SEALED | 1-2 months past the best-by date | 6-12 months past the best-by date | 6-12 months past the best-by date |
| Almond flour – OPEN | Until the best-by date | 3-6 months past the best-by date | 3-6 months past the best-by date (possibly even 6-12 months when sealed well) |
Can you use almond flour after its expiration date?
As you can see from the timelines above, you can use almond flour past its expiration date/best-by date if it’s sealed and/or kept in the fridge or pantry.
Keep in mind that the best-by date for flour is an estimation of how long the flour will stay at its optimal freshness, not an absolute date when the flour goes bad.
How to tell if almond flour went bad
If you’re ever doubting if your almond flour is still good, the best thing to do is be aware of these signs that almond flour has gone bad:
- The almond flour has a musty, sour, or other smell other than a subtle nutty aroma
- There are bugs, large wet clumps, or mold in the flour (dry clumps can occur in finely ground almond flour, so that isn’t indicative that the flour went bad on its own!)
- It tastes “off” compared to how it tastes fresh
What’s the danger in using almond flour after it’s gone bad?
You’ll likely be well aware if the almond flour you’re using has gone bad, which would protect you from eating too much of it. Even if you did eat a decent amount of almond flour past its prime, it doesn’t come with a big risk in terms of your health and safety.
Eating almond flour after it’s gone bad might leave you with an upset stomach, but you’re not very likely to get seriously ill.
Best storage practices for almond flour
- Once almond flour is opened, store it in the fridge or freezer to preserve its freshness and prolong its shelf life.
- Keep opened almond flour tightly sealed to keep as much oxygen as possible out of the flour.
- Keep almond flour away from direct sunlight or intense heat, which can cause the fats in almond flour to go rancid more quickly.
FAQs:
All flours go bad eventually, and almond flour and coconut flour are no exceptions. Since they are both higher in fat than traditional wheat flour, almond and coconut flours can go rancid if not stored properly.
When sealed, almond flour will keep for 1-2 months past its best-by or expiration date at room temperature (pantry) and 6-12 months in the fridge or freezer.
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