Does Almond Flour go Bad? 5 Signs of Spoilage

Almond flour is created from sweet ground almonds, which is used in pastries such as almond macaroons and other sweet pastries. It can be used in cakes and bread and is especially appreciated amongst those who opt for healthier alternatives due to it being low in carbohydrates.

Coming across a bag of almond flour stuffed in a forgotten corner of a cupboard can either be both slightly daunting or frustrating. If the bag has been opened and not properly sealed again, it can attract bugs that will scatter amongst the grains. Almond flour has a high oil content which also makes them prone to spoiling; this is a common occurrence when the flour has been exposed to oxygen, leading to an unpleasant sour smell and taste.

Table of Contents

• Can you use expired almond flour?
• Does almond flour need to be refrigerated?
• How to tell if almond flour is bad
  • Bad odor/off-aroma
  • Discoloration:
  • Sticky clumps:
  • Mold:
  • Pest Infestation:
• How do you store almond flour?
  • Cupboard shelves:
  • Fridge:
• Can You Freeze Almond Flour?
  • Should almond flour be refrigerated?
• Almond Flour
  • Choose Almond
• FAQs

Can you use expired almond flour?

If the almond flour you own has not been exposed to moisture and is sat on your cupboard shelf, then you can expect It to last for 5 months past its expiry date, ensuring there are no dark specks before consumption clumps in the flour or a bad odor.

Almond flour is safe to use from 2 months to 2 years after its “best by date,” depending on the method of storage. Almond flour can be stored in an airtight container and kept in a fridge or freezer for 4 to 5 months after its sell-by date, and it will be safe to use in food.

Almond flour, much like all powdered food, can depreciate if it comes into direct contact with water or the tiny little bugs that rest in the corners of your cupboards, waiting to get their feet into unsealed packs of food. 

The natural aroma of almond flour should be nutty, and if the product smells sour or rancid, this is a clear indication that the almond flour has expired and should not be used.

Does almond flour need to be refrigerated?

Almond flour is best stored in the refrigerator, although it does not need to be refrigerated to be safe to use. Due to its richness in oils, almond oil is unable to survive when exposed to heat and light; therefore, it is advised to store it in a cool area, away from windows and hot appliances.

Once you have opened a bag of flour, place it in an airtight container to help the almond flour stay fresh and extend its lifetime. An unopened pack of almond flour that has been stored in the fridge can last up to a year.

How to tell if almond flour is bad

The rich-filled nutrients that almond flour is packed with mean that it is easier to spoil. Some noticeable changes can be recognized, which means that it cannot be used anymore. If you notice one or more of these spoiled features, you should completely discard them to prevent food poisoning.

• Bad odor/off-aroma
• Discoloration
• Sticky clumps
• Mould
• Pest infestation

Bad odor/off-aroma

You can instantly recognize if the almond flour has lost its freshness and edibility by its smell. Almond flour has a distinct nutty scent, much like fresh almonds, which is evident even in the form of flour. If this familiar smell is replaced with old wood, you should throw it away.

Discoloration:

The almonds used to make the almond flour have an ivory-white color. If you notice that the color has changed, it means that the flour is not safe to use anymore.

Sticky clumps:

When any form of liquid drops into the flour, clumps begin to form, which is what commonly happens when the almond flour has contact with heat and water. Once the clumps have been formed, then mold will follow. Regular almond flour grains have a velvety and porous sensation. If you can catch this in time, you can restrain the flour and dry it before the appearance of mold.

Mold:

Mold will grow in humid areas. The visible bluish-green hues of mold present amongst the flour grains should be discarded without consideration.

Pest Infestation:

The high level of nutrients, paired with the sweet and nutty aroma of the flour, is the most attractive to flour worms and insects. And once they are confident that there is food nearby, they do not come alone.

How do you store almond flour?

Almond flour has a soft texture; much like other kinds of flour, an opened bag of flour is much more accessible to store than an opened bag. You can store almond flour, on the cupboard shelves, in the fridge, or freezer.

Cupboard shelves:

As long as the bag of almond flour is unopened, the cupboard is a good place to store the flour. Some potential causes of damage, such as heat, water, humidity, or direct light, would affect the quality of the flour had it been shelved while open. Some packages are sealable, but some are not. If you find that the bag of flour cannot be sealed, you should transfer the flour to an air-tight container. And with a sealable bag of almond flour, you should take care that the bag is tightly sealed after every use.

Fridge:

The most common place to preserve almond flour would be the refrigerator. After the bag of flour has been opened, the cold temperature and dry environment of the fridge are ideal for the freshness of the flour. Pair that with the closed environment of the refrigerator so no insects or worms shall come near your bag of almond flour.

Can You Freeze Almond Flour?

Freezing almond flour is an excellent method of prolonging its shelf life up to a year after its expiration date.

By transferring the flour to an airtight container, such as a jar, or a freezer bag, will certainly prevent the flour from absorbing liquids from the freezer walls. This method may require some trial and error but is effective, as you can get into the habit of freezing almond flour comfortably.

Almond flour that is habitually frozen can give an extended shelf life of 2 years. Almond flour is sold in sealed plastic bags, so before choosing to freeze almond flour, let it sit out for a while, adjusting to the room temperature, then you can place it in the freezer. This is an effective way to prevent clumping.

Should almond flour be refrigerated?

If almond flour is stored on a cupboard shelf, but the bag is opened, it will immediately attract pests. Keeping almond flour in the fridge is a great way to keep the contents of the bag fresh and extend its shelf life. Before refrigerating, check the package for the “expiration date,” then seal the almond flour in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.

The shelf life of almond flour is highly dependent on how it is stored, bearing in mind that it is extremely sensitive to both light and heat, which can quickly cause the contents of the bag to go bad.

Almond Flour

Almond flour is purely made from ground almonds, which means that it’s a completely natural and unprocessed ingredient that can be used to thicken sauces as well as a key ingredient in baking. Almonds are cholesterol-free and low in saturated fat, which makes them great and brings virtue to your home baking recipes.

Choose Almond

We know it’s healthy; we know we can prolong its shelf life. What more would you want? This nutty, deliciously healthy alternative to regular flour can be thoroughly enjoyed. It is rich in oils and can be used in gluten-free diets. Take extra care in keeping it safely stored in an airtight container.

FAQs