How long does dried fruit last?

Dried fruit like raisins, apricots and mango keeps about 6 months in the pantry unopened. Once opened, it keeps about 1 month in the pantry or 6 months in the fridge. Dates keep about 2 months in the pantry, 12 months in the fridge and 1 to 2 years in the freezer.

Food	Fridge	Freezer	Pantry
Dried fruit (raisins, apricots, mango, cranberries)	—Opened: 6 months	—	6 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: 1 month
Dates	12 monthsfrom purchase	1–2 years	2 monthsfrom purchase

Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.

How to tell if dried fruit has gone bad

Mold: fuzzy spots, often white, green or gray. Don't confuse it with sugar crystals, which are hard and dissolve in warm water.
A sour, fermented or alcoholic smell.
Insects or webbing in the bag. Very hard, dried-out fruit is stale but still edible: soak it in warm water.

How to store dried fruit

Once opened, keep dried fruit in an airtight container or resealed bag, away from heat and light.
The fridge keeps it soft and fresh much longer, especially in hot, humid weather.
Keep it apart from strong smells and moisture.

Can you freeze dried fruit?

Yes. Dried fruit barely freezes hard thanks to its sugar, so you can use it straight from the freezer. Dates keep 1 to 2 years frozen.

Questions

Can you eat dried fruit after the best-by date?

Usually yes, if there's no mold, insects or fermented smell. It may be harder and darker.

Is the white coating on dried fruit mold?

Hard white crystals are usually sugar coming to the surface, which is harmless. Fuzzy patches are mold.

Should dates be refrigerated?

They keep about 2 months in the pantry and about a year in the fridge, so the fridge is better for anything you won't eat soon.

Add snacks and dried fruit to ShelfLife with the date you opened them.

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