Baked Goods / Baking and Cooking
How long does flour last?
Quick answer
Flour (white, opened) keeps 1 year in the refrigerator.
- Whole wheat, opened 6-8 months in the refrigerator
- White, opened 1 year in the refrigerator
Fridge
After opening
1year
Freezer
No known time
-
Pantry
6-8months
Mine has been in the fridge for
Refreeze after thawing in the fridge?
- United States
- Yes
- United Kingdom
- Only after cooking
How long does flour last in the refrigerator?
- White, opened1 yearAfter opening
- Whole wheat, opened6-8 monthsAfter opening
Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F or below.
Your fridge should be set between 0 and 5°C.
Can you freeze flour?
Yes.
How to thaw flour safely
- In the refrigerator
- In cold water, cook it right after thawing
- In the microwave, cook it right after thawing
- Cook it from frozen
There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.
Check the water frequently to be sure it stays cold. Change the water every 30 minutes. After thawing, cook immediately.
It is safe to cook foods from the frozen state. The cooking will take approximately 50% longer than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh meat and poultry.
You should defrost your food in the fridge so that it doesn’t get too warm
It’s also important to use food within 24 hours after it’s been fully defrosted
Can you refreeze flour?
- In the United StatesYes
- In the United KingdomOnly after cooking
Food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although there may be some loss of quality.
Foods thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.
After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods.
You can freeze food again once cooked, but you’ll only be able to reheat it once after that
Can flour be stored at room temperature?
- White6-12 months
- White, opened6-8 months
- Whole wheat3-6 months
All forms at a glance
| Form | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | - | - | 6-12 months |
| White, opened | 1 year | - | 6-8 months |
| Whole wheat | - | - | 3-6 months |
| Whole wheat, opened | 6-8 months | - | - |
| General guidance | - | - | - |
Frequently asked questions
How long does flour last in the refrigerator?
White, opened: 1 year; Whole wheat, opened: 6-8 months.
Can you freeze flour?
Yes.
Can you refreeze flour?
In the United States: Yes; In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking.
Sources
We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last verified: October 1, 2026.
- FoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart US
- Food Standards Agency - consumer food hygiene guidance GB
- Kansas State University Research and Extension US
- Penn State Extension US
- University of Maryland Extension US
- Clemson University Extension US
- North Dakota State University Extension US
- Ohio State University Extension US
- Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech) US
- USDA FSIS FoodKeeper data US
- USDA FSIS Safe Food Handling and Preparation US