How Long Do Hazelnuts Last?
Shelled hazelnuts keep 2–4 months in a cool pantry, 6–12 months in the fridge and 1–2 years in the freezer. In the shell they last about 6 months in the pantry.
Hazelnuts — opened
shelf life- Unopened: 1 year in the fridge
- Whole: 1 year in the fridge
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below · freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Hazelnuts, also sold as filberts, are high in oil but most of it is monounsaturated, which makes them more stable than walnuts or pecans. In their hard, sealed shell they keep well; shelled, and especially once roasted and skinned, they lose flavor and turn rancid much sooner. Raw kernels stored cold hold their sweet flavor for a year or more.
How to store hazelnuts
- Store hazelnuts raw and roast them only shortly before you use them. Roasting develops the flavor but also starts the clock on rancidity.
- Keep shelled kernels in an airtight jar in the fridge or a freezer bag in the freezer; they pick up odors from other foods easily.
- Leave the papery brown skins on during storage. Skinned, blanched hazelnuts have less protection from air.
- Store in-shell hazelnuts in a mesh bag or open bowl somewhere cool and dry so air can circulate and the shells do not mold.
- Freeze hazelnut meal or flour; ground hazelnuts go rancid within weeks at room temperature.
How to tell if hazelnuts have gone bad
- A sharp, bitter or paint-like smell and taste in place of the usual sweet, toasty flavor.
- Kernels that are shriveled, dark or yellowed and oily when cut in half; a fresh kernel is pale cream inside.
- In-shell nuts that feel unusually light or rattle loudly, meaning the kernel has dried up.
- A small round hole in the shell, which means an insect larva has been inside.
- Gray or black mold on the shell or kernel, or a musty smell — discard these without tasting.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the look, smell or taste of food. Go by the time limits first, and the signs above second.
Hazelnuts shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opened | 6–12 months | 1–2 years | 2–4 months |
| Raw shelled kernels. Roasted or chopped hazelnuts: about 1–2 months in the pantry. | |||
| Unopened | 1 year | 1–2 years | 4–6 months |
| Whole | 1 year | 1–2 years | 6 months |
| In the shell, stored cool and dry. | |||
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers or it serves no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
How long do roasted hazelnuts last?
Roasted hazelnuts keep about 1–2 months in an airtight container in the pantry, or up to 6 months in the fridge. Heat damages the natural antioxidants in the nut, so roasted ones turn rancid sooner than raw. For the best flavor, roast small batches as you need them.
Are filberts and hazelnuts the same thing for storage?
Yes. Filbert is simply another name for hazelnut, so the same times apply: 2–4 months in the pantry once shelled, 6–12 months refrigerated and 1–2 years frozen. Cobnuts sold fresh and green in their husks are the exception; they are moist and should be refrigerated and eaten within a few weeks.
Can I use hazelnuts that have passed the best-before date?
Often, yes. The date reflects peak flavor, not safety. Cut a nut in half: it should be pale and firm inside and taste sweet. A yellowed, oily interior with a bitter taste means rancidity, and any mold or mustiness means the bag should go in the trash.
Do hazelnuts freeze well?
Yes, hazelnuts are one of the best nuts for freezing and keep their quality for 1–2 years at 0°F (−18°C). Freeze them raw in an airtight bag. They thaw in a few minutes and can be roasted directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the time.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nutella (Hazelnut Spread) Opened |
Not recommended | Not recommended | 2–3 months |
| Almonds Opened |
1 year | 1–2 years | 4–6 months |
| Walnuts Opened |
6 months | 1 year | 2–3 months |
| Pecans Opened |
6–9 months | 1–2 years | 2–3 months |
| Mixed Nuts Opened |
6 months | 1 year | 2–3 months |
| Chocolate Unopened |
Not recommended | 1 year | 1 year |
More tree nuts: Cashews, Pine Nuts, Pistachios.
Reviewed 2026-09-20. Times follow published USDA FoodKeeper / FSIS, FDA and CDC storage guidance; where sources differ we use the shorter time. How we compile this data.