Get the scoop (pun intended) on this pantry staple.
Do you remember when you bought that bag of all-purpose flour in your kitchen cupboard?
Unlike other pantry staples such as spices andoil, maybe you’ve never even considered that all-purpose flour canexpire.
Credit: Photo by Annabelle Breakey via Getty Images
Surprise, it can!
But don’t worry, you’re probably using it up well before you should.
How Long Does All-Purpose Flour Last?
If refrigerated after opening, you could extend that window up to a year.
Other white flours, like cake flour, are also similarly good for a year.
One exception is self-rising flour, which contains baking powder.
Whole grain flours, which include the wheat germ, have a much shorter shelf life.
Or buy flour from a bulk bin so you could measure out exactly as much as you need.
Can You Use Expired All-Purpose Flour?
In short, yes.
(As long as there are no signs of spoilage.)
An expiration date isn’t considered an indicator of whether the flour is safe to use by the USDA.
Also, be sure to use up the entire canister of flour before you pour in a new bag.
That way, layers of “old” flour won’t get mixed up with fresh flour over time.
