Does Flour Go Bad? (2024)

Does flour expire? The short answer is yes. Learn how long different types of flour last and how to store them.

Flour is one of the most versatile ingredients, especially when it comes to baking. No matter the type, flour provides structure, creating bonds to support the other baking ingredients in everything from fresh homemade bread and crispy pizza dough to fluffy cakes and your favorite chocolate chip cookies. It can also be used to coat chicken before frying or thickening a roux for mac and cheese.

With so many uses, it’s likely you have a bag of flour on hand in your pantry. But just how long can it stay there? Does flour go bad? The short answer is yes, flour does go bad; but the long answer depends on the type of flour and how it’s stored.

Does flour expire?

Flour seems like one of those pantry items with an unlimited shelf life, but it does actually expire. All flour has a printed “best by” or “best if used by” date somewhere on the package. This date reflects the manufacturer’s suggested date for best quality. You can generally use flour for four to six months past this date, depending on how you’ve stored it—more on that below!

How long do different types of flour last?

There are many types of flour, and each has a different expiration date. For example, whole grain flour contains more oils than refined flour (like all-purpose flour), and gluten-free flours containing nuts are high in fat, so these flours can become rancid more quickly. Unless the best by date is within a few months of purchasing, we prefer to assume the clock starts ticking based on the purchase date instead of the printed best by date.

All-purpose flour

This is the most common type of flour you’ll find on the baking aisle shelves. Milled from a blend of wheats, it is used for everything from cakes and cookies to quick breads, scones and even pizza dough. Because it is refined and contains less protein, all-purpose flour will keep up to one year.

Bread flour

Bread flour has a higher protein content thanks to hard wheat. It is used for baking bread, pretzels and sometimes pizza dough. With its higher protein content, it lasts a shorter amount of time, ranging from four to six months.

Cake flour

Cake flour has a very low protein content. It is milled from soft wheat into a fine, light powder, which is then bleached to make its proteins even weaker. That weak protein structure makes it ideal for baking fluffy desserts like angel food cake and red velvet cake. Cake flour can be stored for six months to one year.

Nut flours

Nut flours are made by finely grinding nuts. Because of that, they have a high fat content and are more susceptible to moisture. They’re great for gluten-free baking but will only last for three to six months.

Pastry flour

Pastry flour is another finely milled soft wheat flour. It’s used to make flaky pastries such as croissants and pie crusts. Pastry flour will last from six months to one year.

Self-rising flour

Self-rising flour is made up of all-purpose flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt. The included baking powder helps to provide a consistent rise in items such as biscuits and breads. It can be stored for four to six months, which helps to ensure the baking powder in the flour is still fresh.

Whole wheat flour

Whole wheat flour is milled from hard wheat and has a high protein content. It can be used in everything from breads and pizza dough to muffins, quick breads and scones. Whole wheat flour can be stored for three to six months.

How can you tell if flour is bad?

Flour should be white or cream-colored with a smooth, dry texture and a neutral aroma. It can have some lumps, but they should dissolve easily when the flour passes through your fingers. If flour is gray or yellowing, contains lumps due to moisture or smells musty, sour or generally unpleasant, it’s time to toss it.

Flour with signs of insect or rodent infestation (i.e. little brown or black spots in the flour or holes and tears in the bag) should be thrown away regardless of the condition of the flour. (This is how to get rid of common pantry pests.)

Can you use expired flour?

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Does flour expire? Yes. But can you use it after its best by date? If you’ve stored flour properly and it doesn’t show any signs of turning rancid such as a foul smell or mold, it’s most likely still safe to use after the best by date. Most of the time, using expired flour won’t make you sick. But there is a small chance it can. Just like what can happen if you eat raw flour, eating rancid flour can cause symptoms of food poisoning like stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhea, so it’s definitely one of those items you don’t want to leave in the pantry too long.

Should you use flour once it’s expired? If you’re storing flour in the freezer, it’s likely okay. Otherwise, probably not. Expired flour won’t have the same quality in flavor and texture, so your recipe won’t turn out the same. When it comes to self-rising flour, which contains baking powder, expired flour will create baked goods that don’t rise.

If you feel bad throwing away expired flour, toss it into the compost bin. It does take a while to compost, so you’ll want to mix in plenty of green materials like fruits and vegetables. You can also use it as an insect repellent—ants won’t cross a line of flour.

How to Store Flour

It’s best to store flour in an airtight container, which will keep it away from moisture. Flour will last longer when stored at cooler temperatures, so it’s best to keep the container in a cool, dry place. For example, all-purpose flour lasts about a year in 70°F storage temperatures, or two years if stored at 40° or lower.

If you pick up a bulk bag of flour—and you have the space—consider storing a small amount in the pantry for everyday use and the rest of the bag in the freezer for refilling the pantry container as needed.

FAQs

Does Flour Go Bad? ›

The USDA estimates that an unopened bag of flour can sit in the pantry for up to a year after purchase, with opened bags lasting up to eight months.

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Can I use flour 2 years out of date? ›

Wheat-based refined flours usually can be used past the expiration date (up to a year at your house), especially if it's been stored in a cool, dry place. 2 You'll want to be careful about self-rising flour, though, as the baking powder that's mixed into the flour can lose its effectiveness over time.

Does flour spoil easily? ›

According to the USDA, flour is considered shelf-stable and can be safely stored at room temperature. You probably have your bag clipped in the pantry right now, but best practice is to transfer that bag to a sealed, airtight container and then store that container in a cool, dry, dark place.

Is 3 year old flour still good? ›

If wrapped and stored properly, refined flours will keep for six to eight months at room temperature, up to one year in the fridge and up to two years in the freezer. Whole-wheat flours will keep for three months at room temperature and up to a year in the fridge or freezer.

How to throw away old flour? ›

Compost or Trash

If you do not have a compost pile at your home, check your local municipal recycling website to see if composting services are offered in your community. If composting is not an option, it goes in the trash.

Keep Reading ›

How to tell if flour is rancid? ›

"Old flour will have an off, old, musty smell which will come through in the final product," writes Sarah House, food innovation chef at Bob's Red Mill, in an email. "Fresh flour should have little fragrance but will smell like fresh, clean grain."

Get More Info ›

Is flour good after 10 years? ›

But you can expect most refined white flours (all-purpose, bread flour, 00 flour, cake flour, etc.) to keep for a year or more if stored properly (i.e., kept dry in an airtight container in a cool, dark place). “I definitely have flour in my pantry that's over a year old,” Snyder says, “and it's fine.”

Read On ›

What is the best shelf life for flour? ›

How Long Does Flour Last? Any white flour, like all-purpose or self-rising flours, stored at room temperature should be discarded after three months; if stored at a cooler house temp, it can last six months. In a fridge, the flour has one year, and in the freezer, it has two.

Can I put expired flour in my garden? ›

To use old flour as a fertilizer, it's important to use only a little at a time, as in a moderate dusting, and to mix it in well. Then water thoroughly and keep the soil moist for a week before replanting the space. Expect to see a few light fungal patches here and there for the first few days.

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Does brown sugar go bad? ›

Even though the shelf life of brown sugar is indefinite, it's best to use it within two years of purchase for maximum flavor. Don't store brown sugar in the refrigerator. However, if you are in a very dry area or are going to keep it for a long time, you may want to freeze it.

Find Out More ›

Should I throw out expired flour? ›

If you've stored flour properly and it doesn't show any signs of turning rancid such as a foul smell or mold, it's most likely still safe to use after the best by date. Most of the time, using expired flour won't make you sick. But there is a small chance it can.

Read The Full Story ›

What can you do with flour that has gone bad? ›

The expiration date on your flour is more of a guideline for you to dispose of your flour, rather than a set standard that you have to follow. There is always a little wriggle room with these dates, and if your flour does not look, smell, or feel spoiled, then you can safely use it even after the expiration date.