Need a quick answer? Depending on the storage conditions, the average shelf life of dried apricots can be somewhere between 6 to 18 months.
When properly stored in the pantry at normal room temperature, it typically last about 6 to 12 months.
The same span applies to refrigerated dried apricots. Frozen dried apricots, on the other hand, last longer—more than 18 months.
How to Store Dried Apricots in the Pantry
After drying your apricots, it’s important to condition apricots to minimize the risk of mold growth.
You can do this by packing them loosely in glass jars with a lid. Shake the jars daily for one week. Then check for signs of condensation on the jars.
If you notice moisture, you’ll need to repeat the dehydration process for a few more hours to thoroughly dry the pieces.
Once the dried apricots have been thoroughly dried and conditioned, prepare your jars. These should be thoroughly sterilized and properly dried.
If you don’t have glass jars, alternative storage solutions include sturdy plastic freezer bags or food containers with tight lid.
The basic rule of thumb when choosing a container is to make sure it is moisture-proof to prevent mold from growing on your dried apricots.
Remember also to label each bag or container with the packaging date, so you can keep track of its expiration date.
Another handy tip is to invest in a vacuum sealer as the best option to maximize the dried fruits’ shelf life. Here’s a video showing you how to vacuum seal mason jars:
And finally, your pantry should be a cool, dry, dark place to keep the dried apricots in their best condition.
Storing Dried Apricots in the Fridge or Freezer
If it’s summer in your area or you live in a climate where there is constant high humidity, storing dried apricots at normal room temperature won’t be the best idea.
So, you may opt to keep them in the fridge or freezer. Same process as the one mentioned above … after drying, cooling, and conditioning, store your dried apricots inside glass jars with airtight lids or freezer-safe Ziploc bags (removing as much air as possible.)
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The best option is to pack them in serving size amounts if you decide to store them in the freezer, so you can just take out what you need for your snack or recipe at the time.
This way you’ll save yourself from the hassle of thawing out everything then refreezing the unused pieces.
Note also that dried apricots should be stored in the freezer at a consistent 0 degree Fahrenheit.
What’s the Best Way to Store Dried Apricots Long Term?
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Dried apricots stored in the freezer remain safe to consume almost indefinitely, like what has always been the case with frozen goods.
As mentioned already, frozen dried apricots have the longest shelf life. They remain in their best condition for more than a year, and remain safe to consume beyond 18 months.
However, when I think of long-term storage, I want it to be shelf-stable with no electricity.
To get the longest shelf-life possible, dry thoroughly and vacuum seal in jars using the video tutorial linked above.
If you don’t want to vacuum seal that way, you can also just place an oxygen absorber into your jar. Dried apricots can store for years in a moisture-free, oxygen-free environment.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
How to Know if Dried Apricots Have Gone Bad (Signs to Look For)
We understand that dried apricots are so good, it’d be such a waste to throw them out if they’ve gone bad.
But spoilage is spoilage, and nobody wants to go running back and forth to the bathroom because of an upset stomach.
So, how do you know if your dried apricots aren\t safe for consumption anymore?
You can tell by its smell and appearance whether it’s still safe to consume or has already gone bad.
If it smells off, and if the color has deteriorated, this could be an indication that it is not safe to eat anymore, and you need to discard it.
And obviously, any signs of mold mean you need to throw them away immediately.
That’s it! Now you know how long dried apricots last and how to store them to enjoy the longest shelf-life possible. Enjoy!
