The New Year is the perfect time to reorganize your pantry to suit your baking needs! After a busy holiday season of baking, pantries can become unruly with half-used bags of flour and one too many bottles of food coloring. Organizing your pantry is one of the best ways to set yourself up for a year of successful baking. Here are some tips to keep your pantry looking its best.
Declutter your pantry
The first step in organizing your pantry is to take stock of your ingredients. Throw away any old or expired ones. This is especially important for supplies like baking powder, baking soda, and yeast which may not work properly past their expiration date. Next, consolidate any ingredients of which you have multiple. Combine bags of all-purpose flour or vanilla extract. This will save a lot of shelf space!
Pro tip: There's no bummer quite like using baking powder that's past its prime, only to realize it when your goodies turn out flat. How to tell if your recently-expired baking powder is still effective? Add ½ a teaspoon to a bowl and pour in boiling water. If it fizzes, it's good to keep!
Use clear containers and label everything!
Once you’ve decluttered your pantry, the next step is to store your ingredients in clear airtight containers. Mason jars or plastic Tupperware work great for storing flour, oats, sugars, shredded coconut, seeds, and nuts. Once you’ve done that, use a label maker or tape to label each container. That way you can quickly take stock of all your ingredients before going grocery shopping!
Organize your pantry by category
Group similar ingredients together, like sweeteners, flours, spices, and add-ins (like chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, and raisins). If a member of your household has a dietary restriction (e.g. they are gluten-free or vegan), dedicate shelf space to those specific ingredients. Place heavier items on bottom shelves, and place frequently used items at eye level.
Use a first-in, first-out system
Anytime you replenish your pantry supplies, place your new items at the back of the pantry, behind older items. This ensures you use your older ingredients first to reduce food waste.
Pro tip: It’s a good rule of thumb to buy everyday seasonings, like kosher salt and black pepper, in bulk, while avoiding a big backstock of lesser-used spices. Because herbs and spices can lose their flavor over time, this will keep your food tasting vibrant!
Do regular maintenance
The key to keeping your pantry organized is to do regular maintenance. On a weekly basis, remove expired items and fill up any empty containers. Before buying a new ingredient, first verify that you don’t have it already. In the spring and fall you may want to rotate spices based on the season, since you likely don’t need winter spices like cloves and allspice taking up central space in your cabinet during the summer.
These are our top tips on how to organize your kitchen pantry so it works for you! And for the times when you need a break from baking from scratch, there’s always David’s cookie dough for the taste of a home-cooked treat without the hassle. Keep some readily stocked in your freezer for baking bliss any time!