I used to keep flour in the pantry. But then I noticed that there were these little bugs in the flour, and I thought it must have been because of the open container where I put it. So I thought of freezing the flour so the bugs won’t thrive, but I’m worried it might have any ill effects. Is it okay to put flour in the freezer?
Yes, you can freeze flour. Freezing flour is recommended if you want to keep the bugs out and prevent them from laying eggs. Refrigerating or freezing will extend the shelf life of flour significantly. Flour is a dry product that contains an average of 10% moisture content. Flour can be refrigerated for up to a year or frozen for up to three or more years. The key to preserving its flavor and quality is to store the flour in an airtight container.
Can You Freeze Flours?
Keeping the flour at room temperature rather than in the freezer is best only when you use the flour often.
Otherwise, freezing and then thawing the flour repeatedly when you use it will make the flour go bad because the temperature changes may cause the flour to absorb moisture.
The floor becomes cloddy if moisture is allowed into the flour. While this may not affect the flavor if you use it, storing it again may attract psocids.
During storage, the significant change that takes place in flour is the oxidation of fat by the air around it. This oxidation causes a stale odor and flavor, especially in whole wheat flour.
Refined flour takes a longer time to go rancid than any other kind of flour. It has an extended shelf life because before being pulverized, the germ and bran are taken out from the wheat, resulting in flour that does not have much oil.
Whole wheat flour has a high potential for rancidity if not stored properly. It keeps less well than refined flours due to the presence of wheat germ, which produces unsaturated oil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How to Freeze Flours: Do’s and Don’ts
People put flour in the fridge either to prolong its storage life or to keep the bugs out. Whether whole or refined, the quality of flour may decline if not frozen appropriately:
- Store flour in hermetically sealed containers to prevent it from gathering moisture
- If you bring out flour from the freezer, let it stay at room temperature before using it because some types of bread made from flour are sensitive to temperature changes.
- If you plan on refreezing the flour after using some, thaw it quickly to prevent condensation from setting in.
- Do not merge new flour with the old flour.
- Do not keep the flour near the other foods because flour can pick up the odor.
- Whole wheat flour should be kept in a tightly-sealed food-grade plastic or bottle that will not allow any vapor in
- If you have been storing flour in a cool, dry place in your kitchen, make sure that you keep flour in the refrigerator during hot weather.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Flour?
There are many different ways that you can use up extra flour. Here are five delicious ideas:
1. Make a batch of pancakes or waffles – This is a great way to use up any extra flour you have on hand. Just add some milk, eggs, and oil to the flour and mix until combined. Then cook the pancakes or waffles according to your recipe.
2. Use it to thicken soups or sauces – If you find yourself with a soup or sauce that is too thin, you can use flour to help thicken it up. Just add a little bit of flour to the liquid and stir until combined.
3. Make homemade bread – This is a great way to use up any extra flour you have on hand. Just add some yeast, water, and salt to the flour and mix until combined. Then let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour before baking.
4. Make homemade pasta – This is a great way to use up any extra flour you have on hand. Just add some eggs and water to the flour and mix until combined. Then roll out the dough thinly and cut into desired shapes.
5. Make a batch of cookies – This is a great way to use up any extra flour you have on hand. Just add some sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to the flour and mix until combined. Then drop the dough by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes.
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your extra flour. Next time you find yourself with some extra flour, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Flour Recipes
Authentic Mexican flour tortillas are made out of wheat flour with uncomplicated ingredients and procedure – a little flour, a little lard, and a little heat in the pan.
The Pita bread is soft, pizza-like traditional Arabic bread made from wheat. Baked at high temperature, the flattened dough puffs up dramatically and causes the bread to form “pockets.”
Learn how to make No-Bake-Cheese-Cupcakes with this easy flour recipe in 25 minutes. White flour, a steamer, grated cheese, and eggs are all you need.
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze flour. Freezing flour will make it last for a long time (6 months to – 2 years) if stored correctly in an airtight container. Can you believe that? Flour’s only weakness is water. So flour is a great stock-up food to have kept in your kitchen. Here’s how you can freeze flour: sift it first before putting it in an airtight container, seal tight, label with date, put the container in the freezer, and you’re ready to go!
Let me know how your experience with freezing flour goes. Also, if you have any questions or comments regarding this topic, please feel free to share them in the comment section below.
