7 “Pantry Staples” You Should Actually Store In The Fridge

I doubt anyone enjoys throwing out food that went bad before you could get around to eating it. That’s just one of many reasons why properly storing food is so important!

And while it might seem obvious which foods you should store in the fridge and which can go in the pantry, that’s not always the case! In fact, there are several things I used to keep in the pantry that I’ve learned actually last longer in the fridge!

I wanted to share those items with you in today’s post, because we could all stand to cut down on food waste where we can! And moving these 7 items from your pantry to your fridge is a great place to start. :-)

7 Pantry Staples You Should Actually Store In The Fridge

1. Nuts & Seeds

While nuts and seeds fare reasonably well on pantry shelves, they’ll last much longer if you move them to the fridge! That’s because nuts and seeds are naturally oily, and cold storage can help prevent those oils from going rancid.

It’s also a good idea to transfer nuts and seeds into airtight containers when you bring them home from the store. If you combine both approaches by keeping nuts in an airtight container you store in the fridge, they can stay fresh for months!

2. Nut Butters

If nuts last longer in the fridge, it should come as no surprise that nut butters do too! You can effectively double the shelf life of a jar of peanut butter if you store in the fridge rather than in the pantry.

If you prefer natural nut butters, storing them in the fridge is especially important. Natural nut butters typically have fewer preservatives (or none at all), so keeping them cold will help preserve freshness.

Natural nut butters do tend to separate a bit in the fridge, but it doesn’t affect how they taste. Just give it a quick stir before using it!

3. Bread

If you buy the run of mill bread at the store, it’ll last for quite a while on your countertop or your pantry shelves. But if you spring for the healthier or organic varieties, you may be better off storing your loaf in the fridge!

The lack of preservatives in natural breads can cause them to get moldy or stale quicker than conventional loaves. The dark, cool environment of your fridge will allow you to enjoy your wholesome bread a bit longer.

4. Flour

When it comes to keeping flours of any kind fresh, humidity is the enemy. If you live in a humid area (and even if you don’t), storing your flours in the fridge can help keep them fresh for longer. (But your freezer will keep them fresh even longer!)

5. Maple Syrup

Most maple syrup bottles bear the warning “refrigerate after opening” for a reason! Once that bottle is opened, maple syrup becomes susceptible to mold, but storing it in the fridge will help keep it fresh.

It will also prevent opportunistic bugs from feasting on any syrup that drips on the outside of the bottle!

6. Bananas & Avocados

Bananas and avocados are two of the most finicky produce items when it comes to ripening. It feels like you’re waiting forever for them to ripen, only for them to shoot right past into overripe territory!

That’s where your fridge can really come in handy. If your bananas or avocados reach peak ripeness before you’re ready to eat them, stick them in the fridge to stop the ripening process.

7. Unrefined Cooking Oils

Unrefined nut oils (like sesame oil) definitely qualify as something you should store in the fridge. This will prevent rancidity and loss of flavor, both of which can happen in room temperature storage situations.

Refined oils, on the other hand, will last nearly indefinitely at room temperature, so no need to worry about those.

What’s your best tip for keeping food fresh?