Pantry storage
Do chocolate chips need to be refrigerated?
No. A sealed bag keeps 1 to 2 years in the pantry, and an open bag can stay there too. FoodKeeper's entry for solid unsweetened and semi-sweet chocolate, which is what baking chips are, gives a year in the pantry after opening.
These times are a guide, not a safety guarantee, and a label that says to refrigerate comes first.
How we checked this: the storage times here come from the sources named on the page, and each one is checked against its source before the page goes live. Editorial policy
Chips kept somewhere too warm can develop a white layer on the surface. USU Extension notes this can cause problems if you melt them for dipping, so keep the bag somewhere cool. Source: Utah State University Extension: gearing up for holiday baking (opens in a new tab)
Unopened and opened
Unopened and opened packages keep for different times. These are the times the source gives.
- Unopened
- 1 to 2 years in the pantry
- After opening
- About 1 year in the pantry
- Where to keep them once open
- Pantry or cupboard. The source gives no time for the fridge.
Sources and limits
The after-opening time runs from the day you opened it, not from the date printed on the package, so write that day down. Well Stockd doesn’t know when your package was made, bought or opened: follow the package directions, keep it somewhere cool and dark, and check the official listing when food safety is in question.
The storage times above are quoted from the sources below. They’re a guide, not a safety guarantee: quality varies with packaging, temperature and how the package is handled between uses. Nothing here overrides a label that says to refrigerate. This page was last updated .