The Absolute Best Way To Freeze Nuts

You might think that since nuts are a component of snacks like trail mix that they keep fresh forever. As it turns out, they don't. And if you've been keeping your nuts at room temperature, you may want to change your ways. Nuts contain high levels of unsaturated fat, which is good for you but is also one of the more delicate fats, prone to going rancid, according to Tropical Foods. The quality of your nuts will decline in the presence of light, heat, and oxygen, which means they should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer to keep them in peak condition.

Some nuts keep fresh longer than others, explains Eat By Date. Pine nuts, for example, will only stay good for one to two months at room temperature, while nuts like macadamias, cashews, and peanuts will keep in the pantry for six to 12 months. To determine whether the nuts you have on hand are still good, there's one piece of specialized equipment that's your best guide — your nose. Nuts that have spoiled and gone rancid will have an unpleasant smell and should be discarded. And what's the best way to keep nuts fresh? Freeze them properly.

Priority one for freezing nuts is to make sure they're in an airtight container. Taste of Home recommends wrapping well in plastic first, then placing it in a freezer bag. Containers of nuts should be labeled, either with their use-by date or with the date they were frozen. Eat by Date recommends storing each kind of nut separately, so the flavors won't mingle and also because some nuts, even if frozen, last for up to a year. While others, like almonds and pecans, can last up to two years in the freezer.

When you're ready to use nuts from your freezer, Tropical Foods recommends letting them come to room temperature while their container is still sealed, so they won't absorb any excess moisture. Whether you're planning to make a batch of buttery pecan sandies or decadent chocolate almond bark, freezing nuts will ensure they're perfectly fresh when you're ready to use them.