Ways To Use Canned Biscuits Before They Go Bad

Stocked up on canned biscuits during a sale? These simple ideas help you use them before they go bad and turn them into quick, low-cost meals.

TDS Money-Saving Strategist: Andrea Norris-McKnight | posted August 2020 | updated January 2026

You can sometimes find refrigerated canned biscuits heavily discounted when they’re close to the Use By date. It can feel like a great deal—until a few forgotten cans end up in the back of the fridge and you don’t get around to using them.

At that point, the savings disappear along with the biscuits.

Even when you buy them during a normal sale, it’s easy to lose track of a roll or two. A few weeks later, you’re staring at the date on the can and wondering whether they’re still usable—or if they should go straight into the trash.

So, how long do canned biscuits actually last past the date on the package? And if you find yourself with several cans that need to be used soon, what are some easy ways to use them up?

According to Southern Living, refrigerated canned biscuits may still be usable for a short time after the printed date. Some sources suggest they can last a few weeks past the Use By date when properly refrigerated.

How To Tell if Canned Biscuits Have Gone Bad

Use the same common-sense checks you would with any refrigerated food.

Look for:

Mold
A sour or unusual smell
Packaging that has popped open or looks damaged

If you see any of these signs, it’s safest to throw them away.

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Can Canned Biscuits Be Used After the Date?

Dollar Stretcher readers are experts at stretching grocery dollars and making sure food doesn’t go to waste. Many of them keep an eye out for discounted biscuits and other refrigerated dough products.

We asked readers how they handle canned biscuits that are close to—or slightly past—the date on the package.

Below are their tips on how long they’ve used them and creative ways they make sure those biscuits don’t go to waste.

Editor’s note: Our readers are sharing personal experiences, not food-safety advice. Use common sense and caution when deciding whether to use food past the printed date. StillTasty.com is a great resource for advice on how long products typically last past Use By, Best By and expiration dates.

How Dollar Stretchers Use Up Canned Biscuits

These tips provide storage solutions and cheap meal ideas.

Advice from a food bank worker

Yes, you can use canned biscuits after their expiration or ‘best buy’ date, though you should use them as soon after the best-by date as possible. If the can has popped open in the fridge, discard it. That’s a sign the biscuits are bad.

I volunteer at a food bank, and we had a pallet of expired biscuits/crescent rolls. Some did open, so we tossed them. I brought some home, and it was weeks later when I opened them. The dough was a bit dryer than fresh dough, but it baked up fine.
Mary

Partially cook canned biscuits and freeze

I often buy canned biscuits on clearance nearing their Use By date. I partially cook them before the expiration date, freeze them and finish browning them before serving. However, for very little time and money, you can make much better biscuits with self-rising flour—just follow the directions on the package.
Barbara

Make homemade Hot Pockets with canned biscuits

I have used canned biscuits to make homemade “hot pockets” for my son’s lunch at community college. Each one is flattened and filled with leftovers (taco meat, sloppy joes, scrambled eggs and peppers, etc.). Then I bake them according to the package and freeze them. My son then has a grab-and-go meal to heat up in a microwave.
HW

Freeze uncooked canned biscuits out of the can

Take them out of the container and place them individually on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Put the tray in the freezer for a few hours or until frozen. Put the frozen biscuits into a zipper freezer bag. You can now take out and use as many as you want, whenever you like!
KG

Freeze canned biscuits in the can

I have frozen biscuits still in the can without any issues.
Wendy

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Quick Meal and Snack Ideas for Using Up Biscuits

Search online to find exact recipes for the following tasty biscuit creations:

Monkey Bread: Cut the biscuits into small pieces, roll them in cinnamon sugar and layer them in a bundt pan with melted butter and more cinnamon sugar. Bake until golden brown and serve warm.
Breakfast Sandwiches: Split the biscuits in half, and fill them with scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, and cheese.
Pizza: Flatten the biscuits and top with pizza sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Donuts: Cut a hole in the center of each biscuit and fry in hot oil until golden brown. Dust with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar.
Dumplings: Cut the biscuits into pieces and drop them into a pot of soup or stew. Simmer until the biscuits are cooked through.
Pot Pies: Use the biscuits as a crust for individual pot pies. Fill the pies with your favorite ingredients, such as chicken, vegetables and gravy.
Mini Pies: Press the biscuits into a muffin tin and fill with fruit or pie filling. Bake until golden brown.
Cheesy Garlic Rolls: Brush the biscuits with garlic butter and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake until golden brown and serve warm.
Empanadas: Flatten the biscuits and fill with a savory filling, such as ground beef, vegetables, and spices. Fold the dough over and seal the edges. Bake until golden brown.

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About the Author

Andrea Norris-McKnight is the Money-Saving Strategist behind The Dollar Stretcher.

She helps people on tight budgets cut everyday costs, build steadier money habits and create a little breathing room—without guilt, gimmicks, or unrealistic advice.

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