For people with wheat intolerance, almond flour is an immense ally. Mind you; anyone can use it for special recipes. When you shop, you may be in for sticker shock. It costs approximately 6 times as much as all-purpose blends.
When you’re spending so much money, you hope nothing goes to waste. Yet, after a few months in your pantry, you may naturally as the question, does almond flour even go off?
The answer is yes. The processing results in a high healthy fat content, making it prone to spoiling.
So how long does almond flour last? You can always go by the best buy date, but that’s not always a perfect gauge for the shelf-life.
Keep reading to learn more.
What is Almond Flour?
Almond flour and almond meal both come from sweet almonds. The product begins with peeled almonds (blanched). Almond meal comes from natural nuts, skin-on, and has a texture akin to cornmeal.
In looking at recipes, you will find it is a key component in making macarons and marzipan. (*,*)
It also appears in luscious cakes like Sachertorte, Gallet des Rois, and many other cakes
and candies.
The nutty flavor makes baking low-carb food taste good.
How is it Made?
Almond flour is made from groundnuts. it begins with blanching the nuts, so the skin comes off. Then the almonds are ground and sifted until they are fine, with a nutty aroma.
Note that almond meal is not the same thing, even though the names are often used interchangeably. Almond meal includes the almond skin, so the product is much coarser.
In recipes, the difference affects the texture of the dish
Almond vs. Other Commercial Flours
When looking at best by date, you may wonder how this measures up to other well-known baking ingredients. The market has grown in many directions, so you have options like:
Let’s look at three of these a little closer:
- Wheat has fewer calories, but almond is lower in carbs and gluten-free, whereas wheat is not. Almond flour nutrients absorb into your body better than wheat.
- White (All-purpose, regular flour) is really the “king” of the market in that it can be used to bake almost anything from cookies to pizza dough. It’s made with the starchy parts of wheat grain, so its nutrient value loses in the equation. You generally cannot substitute almond for all-purpose in a recipe. The shelf-life and expiration date comparison gives white flour higher scores.
- Coconut is a nut flour higher in carbs but lower in fat than almond.
Does Almond Flour Go Bad?
Sadly, yes. It can go bad, get rancid, and develop mold. Compared to traditional white, Almond flour doesn’t last nearly as long.
Your best bet is following the “best by” or “best before” date on the bag. Look for smaller amounts (such as 1 pound) you can use up without worry.
How Long Does Almond Flour Last?
There are differing opinions about the almond flour shelf-life, depending on an opened package or closed package.
- Some say an unopened package lasts for 4 months stored in the pantry, or keep the flour in the fridge for 6 months and up to two years in the freezer.
- Others say you can follow the pantry’s expiration date (best by date) at room temperature.
- Or, they may say frozen almond flour can last indefinitely. No matter what, when stored in the freezer, it lasts longer.
So even though you know the possibility of it going, sometimes you’re facing some guesswork.
Bear in mind you’re dealing with a shelf-life much shorter than all-purpose brands. So you in terms of how long does it lasts, you need to adjust your expectations.
Reminder: Keep it in the fridge or freezer for greater longevity.
Because the product may deteriorate, try and use yours before any signs of spoilage occur. If you suspect your almond flour has gone bad, throw it out. Bad almond flour can potentially make you ill.
What happens if I accidentally eat spoiled Almond Flour?
You’ll probably not get very sick. You will, however, discover that rancid almond flour tastes terrible.
If you’ve ever snacked on almonds and found one that was sour, you’ve met a rancid nut! The problem is that once it’s spoiled, the whole batch is bad and makes any food you used it in taste likewise icky.
How to Tell if Almond Flour is spoiled
If your bag reaches its best-buy date, whether it was in the pantry, fridge, or freezer, there are some signs you can check to tell almond flour is bad.
- Instead of the gentle, nutty aroma, it smells sour
- Seeing pantry pests in the flour
- Rancid taste
- Mold growth
Because of its oil richness, it doesn’t like heat or light, both of which contribute to how long you can store it safely. Too much of either, and it may go rancid. Also, make sure it’s sealed properly.
Do Black Specs in my Almond Flour mean I can’t use it?
There is no need to worry. When you are using a brand made from non-blanched nuts, there will be flecks in it resulting from the nut skin.
What are the best Storage Methods?
When you’re new to using flour replacements, it’s natural to have a bunch of questions.
Can you freeze almond flour? Does almond flour need to be refrigerated? The answer is both!
Basically, there are three ways to store almond flour:
- Keep it at room temperature in a cool, dry area (IE. flour in the pantry)
- Plaice it the fridge
- Freeze it (in a freezer bag)
Almond Flour FAQ
Is it Healthy?
This product is packed to the rim with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. In particular, it boasts a rich Vitamin E content and magnesium, 35% RDI and 31% in an ounce, respectively.
Other health benefits include it being better for your blood sugar (low glycemic index) and may help lower your LDL Cholesterol.
When you have bad almond flour, all benefits are lost
Is Almond Flour Keto Friendly!
If you are on a keto diet, you’ll love this product. It is absolutely Keto-friendly. When you start a Keto diet, one common challenge is decreasing carbohydrates.
People miss their crackers, pasta, and bread. Now you have a way of resolving those cravings.
And while almond flour has some carbs, it’s not prohibitive. You get a ton of fiber, which doesn’t have to be counted in your intake!
Many flour alternatives have a high amount of carbohydrates. While this isn’t the perfect substitution for baking, it does make it possible to make Keto-friendly goodies, including sweets and bread.
Measurement-wise, you’re looking at approximately 6 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of fiber.
Is It Gluten-Free?
If you need to avoid gluten, almond flour is a good choice. It is gluten-free. People with Celiac disease do not have to worry when using this baking solution.
Using It to Moderate Blood Sugar
Almond flour is very low on the glycemic index. It has fewer carbohydrates and sugar when compared to wheat flour. So, people with diabetes can help manage their blood sugar levels by using almond flour.
Homemade Almond Flour
You can make almond flour at home, limiting the yield to what you need.
How do you make your own? It’s easy.
You’ll need a food processor or high-speed blender for the grinding process.
- Put the blanched almonds into the blender/food processor. Some cooks report a blender works best, making a finer consistency, whereas the food processor makes a texture similar to an almond meal.
- Be gentle; over-processing almonds create butter. Stick to 8 ounces or less of almonds at a time.
- Store your finished product in an airtight container, away from moisture and heat, in a dark space for longevity and to extend its shelf-life.
By doing this at home, you can potentially save between 25 and 50% compared to store-bought from the supermarket.
The difference in the amount you save comes from watching for the nuts to go on sale.
How much Almond Flour can 1 cup of Blanched Nuts Make?
A cup of whole nuts yields 1 ¼ cup of flour. This means you can avoid having a commercial brand deteriorate if you make homemade almond flour in small batches as you need it.
Why were Almonds Chosen for Making flour?
Basically, these nuts are incredibly good for you.
- They’re a source of Vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, copper, and fiber (3 grams per ounce).
- They do not contain saturated fat, boosting lipids for improved energy.
The health industry-recognized these benefits and began commercial production.
What if my bag of Almond Flour is Unopened? Will it spoil?
It can if you don’t use it fast enough. How long almond flour lasts depends on how you store it. While the bag protects the mix somewhat, it still has a short shelf-life, which is a good reason to make homemade as you need it.
Add an extra layer of protection by putting the bag in a plastic storage bin. You can also refrigerate almond flour to improve its shelf-life and slow decay.
Conclusion
While almond flour goes bad or becomes prone to pantry pests, you have different storage options for your purchase, or you can make it at home for fresh, immediate use.
Up Next: The Ideal Shelf Life of Flour, Grains, and Wheat
