TIPS & TECHNIQUES
Is Your Yeast
Still Alive?
Takes 10 minutes to check
Occasionally, I’ll get asked for help about dough that didn’t rise. 99% of the time, it’s because of instant or fresh yeast isn’t active or alive anymore!
Checking if your yeast is still good takes just 10 minutes, and guarantees that your bakes will rise as it should.
What you’ll need
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp instant yeast (or 1 tbsp fresh yeast)
If you live in a warm climate, you can use room temperature water. If you will be boiling water to warm it, make sure it cools to 37°C / 100°F or below. Water 48°C / 120°F and above will kill the yeast.
Testing your yeast
Step 1: Dissolve sugar in water. Add yeast and stir to dissolve.
Step 2: Leave your yeast for 10 minutes. If the mixture rises to double or triple in size, then your yeast is active! Go ahead and bake with confidence!
If your mixture does not rise much or stays at the same volume, then your yeast is no longer active. You’ll have to throw it out, and get yourself a new batch.
Storing yeast
Storing your yeast correctly will prolong its life and allow it to perform its best.
Instant yeast and active dry yeast has a shelf life of two years and is best when protected from heat and moisture. After opening, seal your yeast in its original packaging in an airtight container and store it in the fridge or freezer.
Fresh yeast has a shorter shelf-life. It lasts around 2 weeks in the fridge and should not be frozen.
This is from my can of instant yeast that was opened a year ago. I store it in a sealed zip-loc bag in the fridge.
Leopard Crust Pizza 
most informative
Can I used the tested yeast or do I have to open another sacher? My recipe states 71/2 fl.ozs.warm milk. Thanks for your advice. Much appreciated.
Hey Lirraine, totally fine as long as you account for the added water and sugar in what you’re making! 🙂 Happy baking
Most helpful thank you
Good info. Thank you…
Thank you for posting this. I never thought to test my yeast and low and behold. It’s dead. Saved me much time and disappointment.
I love your content and how to videos that you do on your own and with gozney. All thr best in 2024!
Phew, nice save! Glad you found this helpful and thanks for taking time to share your kind feedback. 🙂 Happy baking in 2024 and beyond!
In case you are wondering about your yeast from 2006? Yeah, it’s dead. 😉
I just tested some then looked at the Best By date… no kidding, March 12, 2006. It is currently 2024 making this yeast old enough to vote in 4 weeks!
Not surprisingly, thisbtest failed. But now I know. I held a memorial service and dumped it into the trash.
Just thought I’d share for laughs.
This test was helpful. Thanks!
R.I.P. 2006 yeast – may it live on in loving memory and this comment. 🥲❤️ Thank you for taking the time to share your story, Joe! 😂😂
How long would you wait to test Active dry yeast instead of instant yeast? After 10 minutes it didn’t rise much but it is bubbling and starting to.
Hey Bill, I’d wait 20 minutes maximum. If it doesn’t rise significantly by then, it’s time to start anew!
Hi, first I’m not much of a baker but for fun I thought I’d try making my own pizza dough for a family pizza and movie night! My dry instant yeast expired a year ago. Just tried your yeast test, I don’t see how it rising but it smell very yeasty (is that a word :-)…and it’s boobling, looks like something is living in my glass bowl. Is it safe to assume I have active yeast? Thank a bunch!!
Hey Marie, if the yeast isn’t frothing up and raising in volume significantly (as shown in the photo example) then I recommend getting a new batch!
can you still use the yeast if it on rises about a half inch? What will happen if I use it to make focaccia bread?
You can use it, but it your bread will not rise as much as it should so will be a bit denser and doughier. A more active yeast will produce an airy, light bread.
My last two loaves have not risen as well as usual, I’ve just checked and my yeast has failed the test even though BBE date isn’t for a few more months. Thank You.