Can You Freeze Almonds?
If you are someone that believes that a few almonds a day keep the doctor away, you most likely buy almonds in bulk. But you are risking getting all those nutritious nuts going bad if you don’t know how to store them correctly.
Can you freeze almonds? Yes, you can freeze almonds. As almonds contain oil, they go rancid at warm temperatures and don’t keep well at room temperature, so freezing is the best storage method. Almonds will last up to 24 months in the freezer, but they must be stored in an air-tight container to protect them from moisture or air.
This article is the ultimate guide for freezing almonds. Continue reading for step by step instructions for freezing almonds as well as how to use frozen almonds and how to detect that they have gone bad.
What Is the Best Way to Store Almonds?
Almonds are a great snack and a healthy addition to your diet. Thus, having a bag of shelled almonds at hand is always a good idea.
But the thing is, sometimes you take out a handful of almonds to snack on to only find out that they have gone stale. Or worse, you may find your almonds rancid and moldy.
If you don’t store almonds correctly, they will soon dry out, darken in color and all lose the crunchy texture you love so much. In the worst-case scenario, there may also be insects in your almonds.
So how should you store almonds in order to prolong their shelf life and avoid unpleasant surprises?
As almonds are rich in oils, they go bad quite easily. To prevent almonds from going bad faster you should provide the following conditions when storing almonds:
- Cold temperatures
- Dry environment
- No drastic temperature changes
If you keep your almonds at warm temperatures, you are risking getting them rancid. If you store them somewhere humid, they will most likely get moldy.
It is also important to store almonds in a well-sealed container or bag as almonds, like other nuts, tend to absorb odors.
Storing Raw Almonds
It is best to store raw almonds at colder temperatures especially if you want to extend the shelf life for as long as possible. Simply transfer the almonds into an airtight bag or container and store it in the fridge.
Storing Roasted Almonds
If your almonds are roasted or seasoned, it is good to check the storage recommendations on the package.
In most cases, you can keep almond snacks at room temperature. The only thing you need to take care of is the well-sealed container or bag.
If the almonds come in a resealable bag, leave them there. But if the package isn’t airtight enough, transfer the almonds into a container with a tight lid or a Ziploc bag.
In any case, if you can’t find any storage instructions, the fridge is always an optimal choice.
Can You Freeze Almonds?
As we have already mentioned, the best way to store almonds, both raw and roasted, is in the colder temperatures.
While storing almonds is a great way to keep them fresh and extend the shelf life, you can also freeze almonds to make them last much longer and keep better.
If you are someone that doesn’t eat almonds that often or you simply have too much of them, go ahead and freeze them. You won’t need to worry too much about the storage conditions. You will only need to package the almonds right initially and that is it.
In addition to this, you will significantly extend the shelf life of these protein-rich and nutrient-packed nuts.
You can also freeze unshelled almonds. But if you are not sure that you will have the time and mood for unshelling almonds when you need them, it is better to go with shelled raw almonds.
Does Freezing Almonds Destroy Nutrients?
Freezing is the second-best (if not the best) method of storing almonds. Not only does it extend the shelf life of these nuts but also keeps them fresh.
Freezing doesn’t affect the nutrient content of almonds. Almonds are rich in omega-3s and monounsaturated fats, and it would be a shame to diminish their nutritious value as a result of storing them incorrectly.
What makes almonds, and nuts in general, good for freezing is that they have very little water content. The latter is the reason why frozen food changes its texture and loses nutrients.
As the water content in almonds is very low as to cause texture and nutritional changes, freezing almonds is a safe and trusted method of storing them.
If you package and store the nuts correctly, they will maintain their flavor, crunch, freshness, and nutritional value even after being defrosted.
How to Freeze Almonds – Step by Step
Freezing almonds is fairly easy. Here is how to do it:
- Put shelled almonds in an airtight container or bag.
- Push excess air out of the bag.
- Seal the bag or the container tightly. This will ensure that the nuts don’t absorb any odors.
- For extra protection, put the container or bag with almonds into another bag or secure the lid or the closing part of the bag with plastic wrap.
If the almonds are in an unopened package that is tightly sealed, store them in the original packaging.
How to Use Frozen Almonds?
Defrosting almonds is simple and won’t take you long. All you need to do is to take the required amount of almonds out of the freezer and let it sit at room temperature.
Can You Freeze Soaked Almonds?
Some people prefer soaking almonds to make them softer. Soaked almonds are also easier to digest and are especially good for those who want to get all the nutrients from these nuts.
But can you freeze soaked almonds?
Yes, you can freeze soaked almonds. But if you want to store soaked nuts for later use, the key rule is to let them dry before putting them in the freezer.
Having soaked frozen almonds in your fridge is helpful and time-saving. If a recipe calls for soaked almonds, instead of changing it or waiting for 8 to 12 hours to soak the nuts you simply pull some out of the freezer.
How Long Do Almonds Last in the Freezer?
Shelled almonds will last a year in the fridge and from 18 to 24 months in the freezer. Unshelled almonds will also keep their best qualities for around 2 years in cold storage.
With this being said, it all depends on the quality of the nuts before freezing as well as your freezing technique.
Do Frozen Almonds Go Bad?
If your cold storage temperature is constantly at 0°F there are chances of keeping almonds forever. However, the quality of frozen food deteriorates over time. Also, why keep this superfood in your freezer and not do anything with it?
Almonds do go bad eventually. No matter where you have stored your almonds and even if you have done it correctly, we recommend you to inspect the nuts closely before eating them.
Especially if you are making something with large amounts of almond, don’t risk letting all your time, effort, and other products go to waste.
Here are the signs that almonds have gone bad:
- Rancid smell. Give the almonds the sniff test. If they smell like oil that has gone bad, your almonds are not good to eat.
- Bitterness. Smelling almonds is not enough to see if they are good or not. It is the taste that matters. If almonds taste bitter or rancid, they have gone bad.
- Mold and dark spots. If there is mold on almonds, they should immediately be discarded.
Related Questions
We hope this guide to freezing almonds has been helpful! We also invite you to check out these related questions, in case you have even more almond queries on your mind.
Can You Freeze Chocolate Covered Almonds?
You can freeze chocolate-covered almonds. Both chocolate and almonds freeze well. Thus, storing almonds covered in chocolate in the freezer is a great way to extend the shelf life of your sweet and crunchy treats.
Chocolate-covered almonds will keep for a few months in the freezer. But it is recommended to eat them sooner for the best quality and taste.
The only thing you may need to compromise on is the look of your almonds. They may stick together when frozen.
We recommend freezing chocolate-covered almonds in freezer bags. Lay the bag filled with almonds flat in the freezer. If the almonds freeze and stick to one another, you will be able to easily break off a piece of your nutty-chocolaty goodness.
You can store candy-covered almonds in the freezer too.
Can You Refreeze Almonds?
It is recommended to thaw and use as many nuts as needed. Especially with such products as almonds that you can easily scoop out the needed amount, it is better not to thaw the whole bag.
While nuts are among foods that can be refrozen, subjecting them to drastic temperature changes too often is not a good idea.
In any case, if you end up refreezing almonds, check if they are still good or not by smelling them and giving them a little taste test.
Great article! Thank you for sharing. I was already freezing my almonds, just glad to read that is a good way for them to last longer. By the way, after soaking and drying back out, I keep them in the fridge. When ready to eat them I place the amount I want to eat in water. If any floats those are the rancid ones.