How Long Does Dried Apricots Last?

Dried apricots stored in a sealed container at room temperature keep for 6-12 months, and a slight darkening or hardening over that time is a normal, gradual change rather than spoilage, similar to how other dried fruit ages.

Visible mold, most likely to develop if moisture has gotten into the container, and a fermented or distinctly sour smell replacing dried apricot's normal sweet, slightly tangy scent are the real signs of spoilage. Sulfured apricots (the bright orange kind) resist this darkening better than unsulfured ones over the same storage period, though both remain safe as long as no mold or off smell develops.

Dried apricots that have become notably sticky and are clumping together in the bag are simply exhibiting normal sugar behavior in a humid environment, not necessarily a sign of spoilage — that stickiness alone doesn't mean anything's wrong, though it's worth checking alongside a smell test if the container has been open a very long time.

Dried apricots vacuum-sealed rather than stored in a standard resealable bag hold their moisture level, and by extension their pliable texture, more consistently over the full 6-12 month window, since vacuum sealing prevents the small amount of ongoing air exchange a regular bag still allows.

A bag resealed tightly after each use, with excess air pressed out, keeps apricots from drying further than necessary between servings.

See Dried Apricots's full storage & shelf-life guide (with spoilage signs) →