How to Store Homemade Bread: 4 Ways to Keep Bread Fresh

Homemade bread requires time, effort, and a handful of ingredients. Since homemade bread does not contain preservatives and additives like bread products from the grocery store, you’ll need to take extra care when storing it to stave off staleness for as long as possible.

Avoid storing bread on the countertop at room temperature for too long, and wrap the loaf tightly to prevent air from penetrating the surface of the bread and causing it to become hard and dry, particularly on the cut side.

From sandwich bread to baguettes, homemade bread is the freshest on the first day it’s baked, but you can prolong its shelf life by protecting it from direct airflow and warm temperatures.

1. 1. Wrap it in aluminum foil: Using foil is a common way to preserve bread. When using aluminum foil, carefully wrap every part of the loaf to protect it from direct air, which causes staleness. Place the loaf in a paper bag or bread box for short-term storage.
2. 2. Wrap it in plastic wrap: If you need to protect a few pieces of bread in the short term, simply wrap them in a couple of sheets of plastic wrap, overlapping them slightly to keep air out. If you’re freezing bread for long-term storage, first, wrap it in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Both the plastic wrap and aluminum foil are reusable for the next round of bread.
3. 3. Use a bread bag: A bread bag is a canvas, paper, or cloth bag used to display and maintain the integrity of a loaf. Bread bags can keep loaves fresh for the first couple of days after baking.
4. 4. Place it in a standard paper bag: Paper bag storage works best if you have a bread box to protect the loaf from direct airflow. Place the crusty bread in a paper bag, and store it inside your bread box.

Proper storage is the key to making your homemade bread last longer. There are a few different options for storing bread, some of which are better for short-term storage, while others suit long-term storage. Here are some ways to keep bread fresh:

1. 1. Bread box: Bread boxes are a great short-term storage option as they are not airtight like resealable bags or containers. Also known as a canister, there are many types of bread boxes, including wooden, metal, stainless steel, or plastic options. When using a bread box for storage, wrap the whole loaf of bread in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for extra protection from airflow.
2. 2. Food storage container: While storing leftovers is the main function of food storage containers, they can also be optimal for bread storage since they lock out air. However, if you’re storing multiple hamburger buns or a hefty sourdough loaf, the size of the airtight container can be limiting. If you’re down to the last few pieces of bread, place them in a food storage container and store them at room temperature.
3. 3. Freezer bag: A freezer bag provides more protection against the cold than a typical resealable plastic bag. These bags are thicker, which prevents freezer burn and protects frozen food adequately. Slice the bread on a cutting board and freeze the individual slices or place whole loaves in a freezer bag. Freezing slices makes reheating, toasting, and defrosting easier.
4. 4. Resealable plastic bag: A resealable plastic bag seals in moisture and locks out air, keeping your bread soft. If you’re using this method, store the bread at room temperature, but monitor the bag for excess moisture that can lead to mold. If water droplets appear inside the bag, move the bread to another form of long-term storage.

Due to starch retrogradation, bread starts going stale the minute it comes out of the oven. While homemade bread stays fresh when stored properly for quite a few days, there are a few ways to repurpose the baked goods once they become stale:

1. 1. Make homemade breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs are a versatile ingredient made by grinding, crushing, or blitzing dried bread into small granules. To repurpose your stale bread into breadcrumbs, break the bread into pieces and place them in a food processor or high-powered blender. Process or blend until the bread is coarse for panko-style breadcrumbs or pulse for a finer texture. Season the breadcrumbs with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. 2. Make a batch of croutons: If your stale bread is soft enough to cut into cubes, you can use it to make homemade croutons. Cube the stale bread, toss the cubes with olive and a little bit of salt, and bake in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until golden brown. Alternatively, skip the oven and toast the breadcrumbs in a pan over medium heat, tossing regularly until they become golden brown. Store the croutons in a resealable plastic bag or freeze.
3. 3. Make French toast: French toast is a breakfast and brunch dish consisting of stale bread slices soaked in custard and fried until golden brown and crispy. French toast is a great vehicle for stale bread because it is sturdy enough to hold its shape when you soak it in the custard mixture, which typically features eggs, milk, sugar, and spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and nutmeg.

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