Does Pillsbury Dough Expire? (8 Ways to Extend Its Expiry)

Preparing any type of dough is tedious and time-consuming.

Pillsbury dough makes this task a lot easier, allowing you to whip up delicious goodies effortlessly.

However, when stocking up on Pillsbury dough, you may want to know if it expires or not.

Expiration of Pillsbury Dough

Like all processed food, Pillsbury dough comes with an expiration date. The company recommends using the dough by this date. Although it may not necessarily go bad beyond this date, the nutritional quality, texture, and taste may get affected.

Nevertheless, always remember that Pillsbury dough will not hold up forever.

It’s a perishable food and will eventually spoil.

You can, however, extend the shelf-life of Pillsbury dough by storing it properly.

Let’s look at how to do this.

8 Ways to Extend the Expiry of Pillsbury Dough

Pillsbury has a wide range of ready-to-cook dough for pizzas, cookies, cinnamon rolls, crescent rolls, and much more.

Each of them uses different recipes, and the ingredients will vary according to the product.

All Pillsbury products have an expiration date printed on the packaging, and the manufacturer advises using them by this date.

Follow the date and storage directions on the particular package. Proper storage does not give every dough product the same extra period of safe use.

Here are some easy ways to make sure that Pillsbury dough lasts longer.

1. Store It in The Original Packaging

Pillsbury dough comes in well-sealed packaging that is impervious to moisture and air.

Keep the original packaging intact and follow its storage directions and use-by date.

Opening the packaging will expose the contents to environmental agents like air, heat, and moisture and make the contents prone to spoiling.

To protect the dough from agents that cause spoiling, retain it in its original packaging.

Packaging alone cannot guarantee safety if the dough has been stored at the wrong temperature.

2. Strictly Follow the Storage Instructions on The Packaging

Keep refrigerated dough in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it, and follow the instructions for the exact product.

Check the packaging instructions to find out how you should store Pillsbury dough.

Ensure that you follow the instructions to make the dough last long.

Don’t rely on a blanket two-week extension after the date on the package. For example, Pillsbury’s refrigerated OREO cookie dough directions say to refrigerate it up to the use-by date or freeze it for longer storage. Check your own product because dough types and instructions differ.

3. Refrigerate or Chill the Dough as Soon as You Open It

Once you open the package of dough, you must use it up quickly.

Check the package for directions after opening. Don’t assume that every type of dough can be kept for another five to seven days.

It’s because the texture will change once you open the packet.

Additionally, the nutritional quality will deplete once the dough is out of its packaging.

If there is any leftover dough, ensure that you refrigerate it promptly to make it last longer.

4. Store Any Unused Dough in An Airtight Container or Bag

Always take suitable precautions when storing any leftover dough to ensure that it remains usable for longer.

After removing Pillsbury dough from the original packaging, transfer the excess to an airtight box or bag and seal it well.

This will prevent it from being exposed to moisture and air. It will also slow down bacteria growth in the opened dough.

Opened dough quickly loses its moisture and dries out.

Using it for cooking results in chewy and tasteless cookies, pizzas, or other baked goods.

However, placing the dough in an airtight container or bag soon after you remove the packaging eliminates this problem.

Doing so will help the dough remain elastic and soft.

5. Check Whether Your Dough Can Be Frozen

Follow the freezing and baking instructions for the exact product. Some Pillsbury cookie dough can be baked from frozen, so it does not need to thaw first. The OREO cookie dough directions, for example, specify extra baking time when it is frozen.

If your dough needs thawing, use the refrigerator and follow the package directions. Don’t leave refrigerated dough on the counter to thaw. USDA recommends safe, temperature-controlled thawing.

Thawing alone does not mean food must be discarded. Food thawed safely in the refrigerator can generally be refrozen, though quality may suffer. Product-specific instructions still apply.

6. Don’t Allow the Dough to Come Near Moisture

Whether you refrigerate or freeze the dough, ensure that it’s away from moisture.

Any contact with moisture will promote bacterial growth that will deteriorate the dough.

It can lead to food-borne issues if you cook with it later.

Place the dough in an airtight container and use it up quickly or discard it if there is a power outage and the dough thaws.

7. Store the Dough Away from Heat

Pillsbury dough holds up well in the refrigerator or freezer.

However, if you place hot items near the dough, its shelf-life will be affected.

The heat from the nearby containers can produce condensation on the container surfaces.

This will temporarily raise the temperature of the dough and trigger bacterial growth, which will make the dough spoil faster.

To avoid such problems, place the dough in a secure location where it’s not prone to temperature fluctuations.

8. Cook the Dough and Freeze It to Make It Last Longer

An alternative solution to freezing or refrigerating the dough is to cook with it and store the cooked products instead.

So, if you are using Pillsbury cookie dough, prepare a batch of cookies with the dough and freeze the excess.

Freezing baked products is an excellent way of storing them for long-term use.

Not only does it hold up well in the freezer, but it will also save you the effort of preparing it afresh when you need it.

You can simply thaw the desired quantity and reheat it.

It will usually taste fine and, with proper storage, even look like you baked it fresh.

However, it’s essential to store the cooked products properly to retain the original taste and flavor.

Allow the baked goods to cool down before you freeze them.

Once they are at room temperature, transfer them into airtight containers, bags, or pouches.

Then, label the packing with the date and place them in the freezer compartment.

They will hold up well for several months or even a year without going stale when stored properly.

When you wish to use these baked items, leave them overnight in the fridge to thaw completely.

You can also heat them in the microwave for faster thawing.