Grains & Bakery Shelf Life & Storage Times
Bread, rice, pasta, and cooked grains.
29+ foods USDA data Fridge, freezer & pantry
Bread stales in the refrigerator but moulds on the counter in sealed plastic. Dry grains, pasta, and flour last months to years in airtight pantry storage. Bakery items are best eaten fresh or frozen.
Pantry and fridge times for grains and bakery:
| Food | Typical storage |
|---|---|
| Bread | Freezer 3–6 months |
| Bagels | Fridge 5–7 days · Freezer 3–6 months |
| Tortillas | Fridge 1–2 weeks · Freezer 7–8 months |
| Breakfast cereal (opened) | Fridge 6–9 months · Freezer 1 year |
| All-purpose flour | Fridge 1 year · Freezer 2 years |
| Brown rice (dry) | Fridge 6–12 months · Freezer 2 years |
| Couscous (dry) | Fridge 1–2 years · Freezer 2 years |
| Pancakes (cooked) | Fridge 3–4 days · Freezer 2–3 months |
Common questions
- Does bread last longer in the fridge?
- Refrigeration slows mould but speeds staling. A bread box or freezer is usually better than the fridge for loaf bread.
All grains & bakery storage times
- Bread Freezer 3–6 months
- Bagels Fridge 5–7 days · Freezer 3–6 months
- Tortillas Fridge 1–2 weeks · Freezer 7–8 months
- Breakfast cereal (opened) Fridge 6–9 months · Freezer 1 year
- All-purpose flour Fridge 1 year · Freezer 2 years
- Brown rice (dry) Fridge 6–12 months · Freezer 2 years
- Couscous (dry) Fridge 1–2 years · Freezer 2 years
- Pancakes (cooked) Fridge 3–4 days · Freezer 2–3 months
- Frozen waffles (store-bought) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 6–9 months
- White rice (dry) Fridge 1–2 years · Freezer 2 years
- Dry pasta Fridge 1–2 years · Freezer 2 years
- Instant oatmeal (dry) Fridge 1–2 years · Freezer 2 years
- Crackers (opened) Fridge 2–4 months · Freezer 8–12 months
- Pretzels Fridge 1–2 weeks · Freezer 8–12 months
- English muffins Fridge 1–2 weeks · Freezer 3–6 months
- Croissants Fridge 2–3 days · Freezer 2–3 months
- Pita bread Fridge 5–7 days · Freezer 3–6 months
- Trail mix (opened) Fridge 2–3 months · Freezer 1 year
- Granola (opened) Fridge 6–9 months · Freezer 1 year
- Quinoa (dry) Fridge 1–2 years · Freezer 2 years
- Barley (dry) Fridge 1–2 years · Freezer 2 years
- Bulgur (dry) Fridge 1–2 years · Freezer 2 years
- Cornmeal (dry) Fridge 1–2 years · Freezer 2 years
- Baking soda Fridge 2–3 years · Freezer 1 year
- Baking powder Fridge 6–12 months · Freezer 1 year
- Dry yeast Fridge 4–12 months · Freezer 1 year
- Cocoa powder Fridge 1–2 years · Freezer 1 year
- Brown sugar Fridge 2–3 years · Freezer 1 year
- Powdered sugar Fridge 2–3 years · Freezer 1 year
