Peanuts taste better than peanut butter. There are hundreds to go around. There are 540 peanuts per jar of peanut butter.
But you’re probably not here because you ate your way through all your peanuts.
You’re here because you’ve found an old bag and are not sure if they’re off, or you’ve bought in bulk and are wondering how long they’ll last.
Today, we’ll be looking at the storage options for peanuts, how long they last, and how to tell if they’re off.
The nutshell of it (not pun intended): Peanuts can be described as legumes.): Smell and taste are the best ways to determine if peanuts have gone bad. – nibbling on a rancid peanut will be unpleasant, but you’re unlikely to get sick. If you’ve bought in bulk, your peanuts will last the longest in the freezer.
What to do if peanuts are bad?
Peanuts don’t go bad like eggplant or cucumber go bad. They’re unlikely to get visible signs of mold or really deteriorate. Instead, they turn “rancid.”
Rancid refers to when the air is exposed to oils or fats found in food. A food item is “rancid” when there is a change in smell, taste, or appearance due to this oxidation.
These are the signs your peanuts may be ready to go:
- Dried up kernels/seeds that are shriveled.
- MoldHowever, this is not likely unless peanuts have been stored for months or are very old.
- A chemical, toxic, sour or any other foul thing Unusual smell
- An acidic, sweet, or bitter taste unusual taste. Don’t worry, eating one or two rancid peanuts probably won’t make you sick – but don’t make it part of your routine!
How to Store Peanuts

How to store peanuts will depend on several factors.
- What length of time you want your peanuts for. You can extend the shelf life of peanuts by purchasing unshelled peanuts.
- It doesn’t matter if you choose shelled nuts or not. Peanuts that are not shelled last longer.
- No matter how much fridge space you may have.
- It doesn’t matter if you have freezer room.
- You can have either a dry or dark pantry.
If you live in a cold part of the world, or you just happen to have a cool cellar or temperature-controlled pantry, then storing peanuts is simple.
Ideally, you want your unshelled peanuts to sit in a well-ventilated bag in a room with a temperature of around 37°F, or 3°C. You should make sure that you divide the bag into several batches. This will ensure that even if one bag goes bad, others are still safe.
Shelled peanuts can be stored in cool, dry and dark areas for a short time.
In the event that there’s no reliably cool place in your house, then you can leave shelled or unshelled peanuts at room temperature, ideally in a dark, dry place like a cupboard. However, Expect the heat to accelerate the aging process.
Not going to get through all your peanuts within a few weeks, and don’t have a cold pantry? No worries. To extend shelf life, simply place your peanuts into a freezer bag.
Don’t forget! If you’re keeping your peanuts in the fridge, particularly if they’re already shelled, then make sure to go in every few weeks and Remove any condensate from the Tupperware and bag. Your peanuts will begin to die if they are exposed to moisture.
Finally, any non-plain peanuts – like roasted, seasoned, or flavored peanuts – should always be kept in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer, as the seasoning can promote decay.
Peanuts last how long?

The storage methods you use, the conditions in which the peanuts are kept, as well as the type of peanut shelling, will all affect how long they last.
Because peanuts that have their shell intact are more durable, their seeds will last for longer. This makes it easier to preserve their quality.
Shelled peanuts are more vulnerable, which is why you’re more likely to see dried or shriveled kernels.
Here’s a handy table to work out how long your peanuts should last.
Peanut Shells | Peanuts in-Shell | |
A dark, dry place | 4 Weeks | 4-months |
A dark and dry, cool room | 2 to 4 months | 6-9 Months |
Fridge | 12-months | 12-months |
Freezer | 24 Months | 24 Months |
Do Peanuts Go Bad?
But not actually. Or, at most, not that often.
However, they can become rancid and you need to be cautious about bitter smells.