How long do chocolate chips last?

beach-mom · ‎03-09-2010

I have some that I took out of the bag and put into a larger zip lock bag (I split them with a friend) last holiday season. I just found them in the back of my pantry when I was looking for something else. Safe to use? Or not? TIA!

froggy · ‎03-10-2010

I've had some in a L & L for well over a year and I just used some. Just taste one or two to make sure they're not stale.

fashionqueen · ‎10-29-2015

ha ha ... that's what I do, too @froggy ... i think they last a while -- especially if you're baking with them.

Lindaj46 · ‎05-15-2011

I would think the chips would be fine. Like someone else said, just try one and see. When I see chocolate chips on sale, i put the bags in a freezer bag and put them in the freezer. Then they are ready when I want to bake some cookies.

coffee drinker · ‎03-21-2010

Someone once told me if you get a craving for chocolate, just have a few chocolate chips, so they'll last a pretty long time unless you decide to snack on them like I do.

tkins · ‎03-26-2012

@beach-mom wrote:
I have some that I took out of the bag and put into a larger zip lock bag (I split them with a friend) last holiday season. I just found them in the back of my pantry when I was looking for something else. Safe to use? Or not? TIA!

Hi beach-mom,

They should be fine. According to the still tasty website, Milk Chocolate Chips unopened or opened are good for 16 months and Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips unopened or opened are good for 2 years. It also says to store in a cool dry place and the refrigeration or freezing is only recommended in very hot, humid environments as it will affect texture and appearance. Lastly, when exposed to overly warm or humid temperatures, chocolate may develop a white film, this affects appearance only; the chocolate will still be safe to eat. Hope this helps and here is a recipe that you can make to use some of those chips up.

Sour Cream Chocolate Chip Muffins

1-1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour

2/3 cup sugar

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

5 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup mint or semisweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda

and salt. Combine the egg, sour cream, butter and vanilla. Stir into

dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.

Fill greased muffin tin or greased muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at

350° for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Yield: 1 dozen.

Enjoy!

tkins

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

I think they'd go on forever. They might get "bloom" on them, the grayish coating. It's due to temperature changes but that doesn't affect the taste or quality. They're fine.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Desertdi · ‎03-13-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
I think they'd go on forever. They might get "bloom" on them, the grayish coating. It's due to temperature changes but that doesn't affect the taste or quality. They're fine.

Yup.........I keep mine in the fridge. Never know when you need a chocolate fix...............

♥Surface of the Sun♥

Toppers · ‎01-01-2015

@beach-mom wrote:
I have some that I took out of the bag and put into a larger zip lock bag (I split them with a friend) last holiday season. I just found them in the back of my pantry when I was looking for something else. Safe to use? Or not? TIA!

Bake away! Go ahead and use them.

I keep any that I have that are left over from a package in my fridge, just because I have a small kitchen and it tends to get hot in there.