Yummy Pillsbury Dough – the traditional family favorite that has been around for as long as I can remember – who doesn’t love it?!
Whether it be their cookie dough, pizza dough, or good old pie crust, you most likely have at least one of these in your refrigerator or freezer. But does this stuff actually go bad? Does it have an expiry date? Let’s take a look.
Does Pillsbury Dough expire or go bad?
The answer to both of these questions is “yes”. Pillsbury dough can be used up to 2 weeks after the expiration date. Like all fresh or frozen produce, Pillsbury dough will eventually go bad, or at the very least not taste its best when eaten.
Let’s look at the different types in a bit more detail to get the full facts.
How Long Do Pillsbury Dough Products Last?
Every product will have a clear expiry date printed on the packaging. Frozen products will have a far longer shelf life than chilled. Both fresh and frozen dates are quite conservative so you would usually be ok to use the product up to 2 weeks after the expiry date, as long as it has been correctly stored.
If you have already opened the packet of dough, you really should use it within 5 days max. This is because it will start to oxidize once opened and not only lose its original yummy taste but will also start to degrade nutritionally. Remember you must store it in the refrigerator once opened.
Will There Be Obvious Signs If Pillsbury Dough Has Gone Bad?
Sometimes the dough will start to ferment and expand so you may see the packaging swell from gases the fermentation process produces. Other signs that your dough is past its best are if it feels moist or a bit slimy, if it seems to be fizzing, or if the edges look hard and a different color to the center. It would definitely be best to ditch the dough if you see any of these things happening as it’s really not worth the risk.
Does Pillsbury Dough Contain Egg Will It Go Bad?
All doughs are not created equal. Some contain egg, others do not. Pillsbury pizza, crescents, and pie crust doughs do not contain any egg at all. However, the cookie dough does contain egg.
Traditionally, it was the egg in these products that would have been the first thing to spoil, but now those clever and cute little Doughboys at Pillsbury use pasteurized egg. This means any prior risk of nasty bacteria like salmonella have been safely eradicated and you can even eat it raw with no worries – genius!
Can You Get Sick From Old Cookies Made From Pillsbury Dough?
Cookies will usually go stale when they are past their best. This will give them a kind of dead feel when you put them in your mouth, rather than that lovely chewy sensation. Although they are unlikely to do you any harm, they won’t be very enjoyable. However, if they have been stored somewhere damp, they could have mold growing on them that would make them dangerous to eat.
So if you really can’t resist eating those weeks-old ones you just found in the back of the pantry, make sure you inspect them for any signs of mold first!
What About Pillsbury Pizza or Apple Pie Going Bad?
These will go bad quicker than the cookie dough because of the toppings and fillings. With the pizza, you will generally find that the next day your thin and crispy one will be rock hard and the traditional crust will most likely have gone soft and chewy.
Apple pie will start to go soft pretty quickly too because of the moisture from the apples. Left even longer and both of these would start to go bad pretty quickly. Again, this would be from the vegetables, meat, or fruit decaying and then affecting the pastry. Another good indicator that these guys are past their best is if they taste a bit tangy or fizzy – eww!
How Can You Make Pillsbury Dough Last Longer?
Most of these products can be frozen, even if not recommended. This would make them last much longer than if kept in the fridge. You could also cook the cookies and then freeze them in batches to make sure they don’t go stale and make them last longer – up to 12 months!
If you do have some cookie dough leftover you could use it in other recipes. Try whizzing it up in a milk smoothie with some peanut butter for a naughty but highly tasty and nutritious protein drink, or make cookie dough ice cream or truffles with it. Or you could just scoff it raw!
You can even freeze pillsbury crescent rolls!
Can You Refreeze Pillsbury Dough After It Has Thawed?
It is best not to refreeze pillsbury dough as refreezing stuff can have health risks. The best way is to just cut off how much you want to use whilst it’s still frozen and pop it straight back in the freezer, making sure the package is sealed. That way you can make a smaller pizza for one or a mini apple pie, and look forward to another next week!
Of course, you could freeze your apple pie after baking it, but it wouldn’t be as nice once thawed as it was freshly cooked.
What Else Can You Do To Make Sure Pillsbury Dough Doesn’t Go Bad?
Always make sure you carefully check the expiry date when purchasing your Pillsbury Dough. You will find the date printed clearly either on the end of the tube or on the packet.
Also, make sure you check the packaging to make sure it is properly sealed and there are no rips. Make sure your refrigerator or freezer is working properly and at the correct temperature.
Once opened, remember to place it in a sealed plastic food bag or an airtight container to avoid any contaminants or strong smells from other produce entering and spoiling the quality and taste of the dough.