Does Almond Flour Go Bad? How Long Does It Last?

logo by Editorial Staff | Updated on August 5th, 2022

Because it is gluten-free, low in calories, and lightly processed, almond flour is frequently used to replace normal flour. But does almond milk ever go bad?


Because it is created from powdered almonds, almond flour spoils faster than other flour products.

almond flour. healthy ingredient for keto paleo gluten-free diet

Almonds, you know, have a high concentration of plant-based oil. And, as you may be aware, oil can quickly go rancid when exposed to heat and direct sunshine. Almond flour is frequently manufactured from blanched almonds, and the procedure itself may impair the product’s shelf life.

However, because almond flour does not contain moisture, it has a longer shelf life. As long as the product is kept sealed and away from heat, it should be safe to use for a long time.

What exactly is Almond Flour?

Almond flour is a powdered almond product. The almonds are blanched first, making it easier to remove the skins. When they’ve dried again, they’re crushed into a fine powder with a texture and consistency comparable to wheat flour.

You may also come across an almond meal, which is distinct from yet related to almond flour. Almond meal is created by crushing almonds with the skins still on into a powder. This results in a coarser powder or flour than pure almond flour.

What Is Almond Flour’s Nutritional Value?

Almond flour is abundant in nutrients. It is high in a variety of beneficial nutrients.

One ounce (28 grams) of almond flour comprises the following ingredients:

Calories163
Carbs6.1 grams
Fat14.2 grams (9 of which are monounsaturated)
Protein5.6 grams
Dietary fiber3 grams
Vitamin E35% of the RDI
Manganese31% of the RDI
Magnesium19% of the RDI
Copper 16% of the RDI
Phosphorus 13% of the RDI

We should emphasize that wheat flour has fewer calories per ounce (102 calories), but almond flour is still a healthier option. Learn why in the next section!

Why Is Almond Flour Beneficial?

Almond flour provides various health advantages to your diet, including:

Antioxidant Potency

Almond flour, due to its high level of vitamin E and fat-soluble antioxidant components, helps prevent free radicals from damaging your cells.

As a result, it lowers the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease while also slowing the aging process and the development of age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

Lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol

The food you eat can greatly impact your LDL cholesterol and, as a result, your blood pressure. Almonds and almond flour can help you lower your LDL cholesterol.

Keeping you satisfied for longer periods and assisting you in controlling your blood sugar levels

Wheat flour derived from processed wheat is high in carbohydrates but low in fiber and fat, resulting in increased blood sugar. The quick drop in blood sugar causes fatigue and a desire for high-sugar, high-calorie foods — a definite road to obesity!

Almond flour, on the other hand, is low in carbohydrates and high in healthful fats and fiber, which contribute to its low glycemic index. What exactly does this mean?

Because the sugar is slowly released into your system, you will feel invigorated and satisfied for a longer period!

Insulin Resistance Reduction

Magnesium is rich in almond flour. This beneficial vitamin aids in blood sugar regulation and decreases insulin resistance. It can also aid in the reduction of high blood pressure.

A percent of all persons with type 2 diabetes have a magnesium deficit. Changing your diet can aid in the improvement of insulin function.

Gluten-free Diet Compliant

An allergy typically causes wheat intolerance to a protein known as gluten. It aids in the fluffiness of the dough when baking. However, it can be detrimental to persons with celiac disease. Weight loss, bloating, diarrhea, and skin rashes are all symptoms of this condition.

Fortunately, almond flour is gluten-free and a fantastic baking substitute!

Is Almond Meal the same as Almond Flour?

No, it isn’t. Almond meal is raw ground almonds, whereas almond flour is finely crushed, blanched, and peeled almonds. Because of the peeling, the latter is frequently finer in texture (the difference between flour and a meal is often that the former is finely ground) and lighter in color.

It doesn’t matter as much in certain recipes whether you use flour or meal, but it does in many. Pay particular attention to the recipe you’re using so you don’t use the wrong one and wind up with a messed-up texture.

How to Make Almond Flour: A Step-by-Step Guide

Provided you want to experiment with almond flour without purchasing a full container or prefer to produce your flour whenever possible, it’s a reasonably straightforward procedure if you have almonds and a food processor.

Whole raw almonds are used to make the best almond flour. You may use roasted almonds instead of storebought flour, but the flavor and texture will differ, and it may not work in all recipes.

The most important item to watch out for is salt. Salty almond flour will not work in any recipe; therefore, avoid using salted almonds to make almond flour.

  • Prepare a saucepan of boiling water and a dish of chilled water to blanch your almonds.
  • Place your almonds in the boiling water for 2 minutes after they’re both ready. Drain them and quickly immerse your nuts in cold water for another 2 minutes.
  • After that, you may lift them out of the water, and the skins should slip off.
  • Place them on a kitchen towel or paper towel to dry until they are completely dry. Allow them to dry for at least an overnight period to ensure they are entirely dry.
  • Once your almonds have been blanched and dried, place them in a food processor or blender and blitz until pulverized.

It’s ideal for ground no more than 1 cup of almonds at a time. However, this may differ according to your processor. Grinding more than one thing at a time tends to clump together and ground unevenly. If your nuts aren’t totally dry, they may cluster together.

How Long Does Almond Flour Last?

Almond flour will stay in the pantry for at least a few months after the best-by date on the bag. Transferring it to the refrigerator will extend its life by a few months. Almond flour may be stored in the freezer forever.

Please keep in mind that all frozen items decay in quality very slowly, so while almond flour may be kept in the freezer indefinitely, the sooner you use it, the better the quality.

 PantryFridgeFreezer
Unopened Package“Best by” + 2 – 4 months“Best by” + 6 – 12 months“Best by” + 12 – 24 months
Opened Package“Best-by”“Best by” + 3 – 6 months“Best by” + 6 – 12 months

How Long Does Almond Flour Last in the Open Air?

The pantry is a common area to keep flour since it is cold and dark. Unopened almond flour can be stored in the cupboard for up to 5 months after the best-by date.

If the flour has been unsealed, it may still be stored in the pantry, but it must be firmly covered to keep moisture and pantry pests out.

Almond flour may be stored in the pantry for about 3 months if securely wrapped in an airtight bag or plastic storage container.

How Long Can Almond Flour Be Stored in the Fridge?

A bag of almond flour may be kept fresher for longer by storing it in the refrigerator. Unopened packages of almond flour can be stored for 6-12 months after the best-by date.

If your almond flour packet has been opened, it will keep in the fridge for around 3-6 months after the best date.

If you’re keeping an opened packet of almond flour in the fridge, ensure it’s in an airtight container. This is necessary to prevent the almond flour from clumping.

How Long Can Almond Flour Be Stored in the Freezer?

In the freezer, almond flour lasts the longest. Place a bag of flour in the freezer if you know you won’t be using it soon.

An unopened packet of almond flour can be stored in the freezer for up to two years after the best-by date. An opened product has a shelf life of 6-12 months after the best-by date.

The best by date is the suggested date by which your almond flour will be of the highest quality.

Unopened almond flour that has been kept in the freezer will be safe to eat indefinitely.

What About Making Your Own Almond Flour? How long is it going to last?

Things don’t alter much when it comes to handmade flour. The storage procedures are the same; a sealed container is required, and the colder the location, the longer the product will last.

Shelf life is 8 weeks at room temperature or possibly longer in the fridge. But I don’t see why your nut flour couldn’t easily survive a few months if you take excellent care of it. It’s not much different than what you’d receive if you purchased one.

Is it necessary to keep almond flour refrigerated?

Although almond flour is best stored in the refrigerator, it does not need to be refrigerated to be safe to use. Keeping this nut flour in the refrigerator increases its shelf life.

There’s no need to refrigerate almond flour if you use it before the expiration date on the packaging.

How Can You Tell If Almond Flour Is bad?

It is simple to determine if a package of almond flour has gone bad. Almond flour has a lovely, nutty scent and a loose consistency when fresh and useful. It is also available in beige or cream.

However, if it has gone bad, it will develop an off-aroma. Its color will also alter. Color, texture, and scent changes indicate that the product has soured. The same is true for mold growth. If you notice bluish-green flecks on the powder, throw them away immediately.

Check to see if the product is infected with bugs or flour worms. Nut flours attract particular insects, and even though the food is still edible, the presence of bugs indicates that it should be discarded.

Can I use almond flour after it has passed its expiry date?

The date shown on the box is often a “best by” date, not an expiration date. Almond flour, as previously stated, may be kept for much longer than that date.

As long as the powdered almonds do not exhibit any of the rotting symptoms outlined previously, they should be OK to use. Of course, throwing it out is also a viable alternative if you’ve discovered the bag or item has been stored in poor circumstances for who knows how long.

What Happens If You Eat Spoiled Almond Flour?

My last advice is to stop using almond flour if it has damaged properties. However, some of you may fail to recognize them and mistakenly utilize the flour, resulting in negative consequences.

If you anticipate almond flour’s nutty flavor and rich nutrients, the spoiled one will disappoint you.

When almond flour deteriorates, its flavor shifts from nutty to sour to bitter, eventually resulting in a rotten state. As a result, it impacts the food’s overall flavor, particularly in recipes that use almond flour as the major component.

If you eat the meal without realizing something is amiss, it might eventually induce stomach discomfort or food poisoning.

If you have any unusual symptoms after taking them, you should consult a doctor and bring a sample of your meal with you.

Is it possible to become sick from expired almond flour?

Expired almond flour is hazardous to one’s health not only because it is old but also because of how long it has been hanging out in the open air, where germs and molds grow on any food leftovers that have been exposed to oxygen.

When flour expires, the nutrients are eliminated by oxidation, which results in the formation of allergenic chemicals. Mycotoxins and phenols, known to induce allergic responses and respiratory disorders, are produced due to oxidation.

How Should I Store Almond Flour?

Almond flour has a soft, porous feel and is high in nutrients. An unopened bag of almond flour, like any other type of flour, is easier to keep than an opened bag.

In the Pantry:

As long as the almond flour is unopened, it may be stored in the pantry.

Heat, water, humidity, and direct light are all potential sources of harm that might degrade flour quality.

To extend the shelf life of almond flour, store it in a cold, dry, and dark area away from any damaging sources.

Furthermore, some packaging is sealable, while others are not. If the flour bag is not resealable, place the almond flour in an airtight container. When it comes to the sealable bag, ensure to close it after each usage to avoid any damage.

In the fridge:

As written on the container, the most typical preservation advice for almond flour is “Keep best in the refrigerator.”

After opening the almond flour bag, the refrigerator is the ideal location to store it. The fridge’s cool temperature and dry air are great for preserving the freshness of flour.

In addition, the closed refrigerator environment will keep all insects and worms away from your almond flour bag.

To avoid food contamination, replace the flour container with a plastic bag with a glass jar before placing it in the fridge. This also allows you to monitor the condition of your almond flour.

In the freezer:

The best way to store almond flour is to keep it in the freezer. By storing almond flour in the freezer, you may extend its shelf life up to a year after the expiration date.

However, due to the presence of oil in the almond flour, the flour may become sticky and crumbly. This natural occurrence will disappear when the flour is thawed during the freezing procedure.

Use a freezer bag or freezer-proof jars to keep the almond flour safe throughout the freezing process.

The flour must be thawed after being removed from the freezer before being used in a recipe.

Can Almond Flour Be Freeze?

That’s correct; almond flour can be frozen. This product may be kept virtually forever in the freezer.

Of course, freezing powdered items is always challenging, so I strongly advise you to start with a small amount of almond flour. If you don’t have any problems, you could freeze the rest of your store.

Almond flour is frequently sold in sealed plastic packaging. Thus no further preparation is required to freeze this product. Place it in the freezer. However, for opened bags of almond flour, use a freezer bag to keep the product safe from freezing temperatures. 

Additionally, double wrapping helps to limit changes in texture or consistency.

If you’re using frozen almond flour, make sure to let it rest until it reaches room temperature before using it. This will assist in keeping clumps at bay.

Can I use the microwave to thaw frozen almond flour?

A microwave is an excellent home gadget for defrosting food. However, it is not a viable option for frozen almond flour.

Microwave thawing might denature the almond flour. Rather than using any thawing procedures, I recommend leaving it at room temperature for a few hours to defrost.

Conclusion

I hope you found this information on how long does almond flour last useful! Almond flour is a fantastic ingredient that may keep for a long time if stored properly.

While it has the potential to spoil, this may be avoided by keeping it unopened for as long as possible and then storing it in an airtight container. This can help it survive much longer than its expiration date, especially if you store it in the refrigerator or freezer.

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Editorial Staff

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