Pillsbury biscuits, like most other baked goods, usually have a best by date stamped on the packaging rather than an expiration date. This best by date indicates when the biscuits are at peak freshness and flavor. However, biscuits may still be good to eat for some time after the best by date has passed.
Do Pillsbury biscuits expire?
No, Pillsbury biscuits do not really expire in the sense that they will make you sick if eaten after the best by date. Baked goods like biscuits typically have quality issues rather than safety issues after their best by date. This means you may notice changes in texture, flavor, or appearance after the best by date, but the biscuits will not be dangerous to eat.
How to tell if Pillsbury biscuits are bad?
Here are some signs that Pillsbury biscuits may be past their prime after the printed best by date:
- Dry, crumbly texture
- Stale, cardboard-like flavor
- Dull color instead of golden brown
- Off smells or aromas
- Mold growth
If you notice any of these issues with old Pillsbury biscuits, it’s best to throw them out. While not necessarily unsafe, the quality will likely be poor.
How long do unopened Pillsbury biscuits last at room temperature?
An unopened package of Pillsbury biscuits will typically last 5-7 days past the printed best by date if stored at room temperature. The cool temperature of refrigeration can extend the shelf life by another 1-2 weeks. An unopened package that is continuously refrigerated may even last 3-4 weeks past the best by date before quality starts to decline.
How long do opened Pillsbury biscuits last in the fridge?
Once opened, Pillsbury biscuits will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator. It’s important to tightly reseal the package or place the unused biscuits in an airtight container. Exposure to air speeds up the staling process. You may notice the biscuits dry out faster after opening.
Can you freeze Pillsbury biscuits after the expiration date?
Freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of Pillsbury biscuits beyond the best by date, whether they are fresh or already expired. Unbaked Pillsbury biscuits can be frozen in the packaging for 2-3 months. Baked biscuits can be frozen in an airtight container for up to a month.
To freeze Pillsbury biscuits:
- Leave unbaked biscuits in the original packaging or place in a freezer bag.
- Squeeze out excess air and seal tightly.
- Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
For already baked biscuits:
- Let cool completely after baking.
- Place in freezer bags or airtight containers.
- Freeze for up to 1 month.
- Thaw at room temperature before serving.
How to store Pillsbury biscuits
To maximize the shelf life of Pillsbury biscuits:
- Refrigeration – Keep unopened biscuits in the fridge and use within 1-2 weeks of the best by date. Refrigerate opened biscuits and use within 3-5 days.
- Freezer – Freeze unbaked and baked biscuits for 2-3 months and 1 month respectively.
- Airtight packaging – Leave unbaked biscuits in the original packaging or transfer to an airtight container. Place baked biscuits in freezer bags or containers.
- Cool area – If not refrigerating, store unopened biscuits in a cool, dry pantry away from heat and light.
Avoid storing Pillsbury biscuits at room temperature as they will stale faster. Refrigeration and freezing are best for extending the shelf life.
How to tell if frozen Pillsbury biscuits are bad?
Check frozen Pillsbury biscuits for these signs of spoilage:
- Ice crystals or frosty buildup inside packaging
- Condensation inside the bag
- Freezer burn with dry, shriveled biscuits
- Off odors, colors, or textures
- Mold when thawed
Discard frozen Pillsbury biscuits if you see any of these issues. Do not attempt to cook or eat spoiled frozen biscuits.
Can you cook expired Pillsbury biscuits?
It’s not recommended to bake and eat Pillsbury biscuits that are past the expiration date on the package. While they likely won’t make you sick, the quality and taste will be inferior. Stale biscuits tend to have poor texture and flavor.
If it’s just a day or two past the best by date, the biscuits are probably still fine to bake and consume. But anything more than 5-7 days past the date runs the risk of being stale and low quality.
What happens if you eat expired Pillsbury biscuits?
Eating expired Pillsbury biscuits that are slightly past their best by date likely won’t cause any health issues. At worst, you may experience unpleasant flavors or textures from staling. However, eating biscuits that are weeks or months expired can increase the risk of food poisoning.
Very old biscuits can potentially grow mold or bacteria and lead to illness if consumed. Stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are possible symptoms if you eat Pillsbury biscuits that are very old and spoiled.
How to revive stale Pillsbury biscuits
You may be able to revive Pillsbury biscuits that have started to stale with these tricks:
- Mist the biscuits lightly with water to add moisture back.
- Bake biscuits on a shiny baking sheet for a more golden brown exterior.
- Brush tops with melted butter after baking for increased flavor.
- Microwave 5-10 seconds to soften before serving if biscuits are overly dry.
- Use in recipes where moisture is added back, like casseroles or sandwiches.
While these fixes can mask some staleness, severely expired or old Pillsbury biscuits cannot be revived and should be discarded.
How long do baked Pillsbury biscuits last in the fridge?
Baked Pillsbury biscuits will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-5 days if stored properly in an airtight container. To extend the shelf life even longer, freeze fully cooled biscuits for up to 1 month.
To store leftover baked biscuits:
- Let cool completely after baking.
- Place in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freeze for up to 1 month.
Check refrigerated biscuits for mold, off smells, or dryness before eating. Frozen biscuits should be discarded if freezer burned or icy.
Do Pillsbury biscuits need to be refrigerated?
Refrigeration is recommended to extend the shelf life of Pillsbury biscuits, but is not required. Unopened cans of biscuits can be stored in the pantry at room temperature for 5-7 days past the printed date before quality declines.
Once a can is opened, it’s best to refrigerate and use the remaining biscuits within 3-5 days. Refrigeration slows the staling process and helps retain moisture.
Freshly baked Pillsbury biscuits should also be cooled completely then stored in the fridge in an airtight container. They tend to stale much quicker at room temp after baking.
Can you refrigerate and freeze dough biscuits?
Yes, refrigerating unbaked Pillsbury biscuits in the can is safe. Simply keep the can sealed and place in the fridge for 1-2 weeks past the best by date. The dough will remain properly chilled.
Unbaked dough can also be frozen. Remove the biscuits from the can and place in freezer bags, squeezing out excess air. Freeze for up to 2-3 months then thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
Signs refrigerated biscuits are spoiled
Check refrigerated Pillsbury biscuit dough or baked biscuits for these signs of spoilage before eating:
- Mold growth
- Weird odors
- Slimy or sticky texture
- Discoloration
- Dry, cracked dough
If you notice any of these issues, it’s best to throw the Pillsbury biscuits away. Moldy, smelly, or damaged biscuits from the fridge could make you sick if consumed.
Pillsbury Biscuits Nutrition Facts
Here are some key nutrition facts for Pillsbury biscuits:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 100 |
| Fat | 2.5g |
| Carbs | 17g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 2g |
As you can see, Pillsbury biscuits are low in fat and protein but contain a decent amount of carbohydrates and calories. There is also minimal fiber and sugar in biscuits.
Highlights
- Pillsbury biscuits stay fresh 5-7 days past the printed date if stored properly in the packaging or refrigerator.
- Opened cans should be used within 3-5 days.
- Freezing, both unbaked and baked, extends shelf life significantly.
- Look for mold, off smells, or dry/crumbly textures as signs of spoiled biscuits.
- Eating expired Pillsbury biscuits likely won’t make you sick, but quality declines after the best by date.
The shelf life of Pillsbury biscuits
In summary, here are some general guidelines for how long Pillsbury biscuits last after opening and being baked:
- Unopened – 5-7 days past printed date at room temp; 2-3 weeks refrigerated
- Opened package – 3-5 days refrigerated
- Unbaked dough frozen – 2-3 months
- Baked biscuits refrigerated – 3-5 days
- Baked biscuits frozen – 1 month
Be sure to store Pillsbury biscuits properly and check for signs of spoilage before eating if they are past the best by date. While the shelf life can be extended through freezing or refrigeration, quality and freshness will eventually decline over time.
Conclusion
Pillsbury biscuits typically have a best by date rather than a firm expiration date. Properly stored biscuits can be safe to eat and maintain quality for some time after the printed date. Refrigerating unopened packages extends the shelf life 1-2 weeks, while freezing buys you 2-3 months for unbaked dough. Baked biscuits should be eaten within 3-5 days and can be frozen for a month.
Although it’s unlikely for stale Pillsbury biscuits to make you sick, the taste and texture suffers after the best by date. Check old biscuits closely for mold development, dryness, or off odors which are signs it’s time to discard them. With proper storage and freezing, you can safely enjoy Pillsbury biscuits beyond the printed date on the packaging.