Paper over plastic, freeze over refrigerate, and bread boxes galore. Madelyn Osten, former head baker at Sullivan Street Bakery's Miami outpost, reveals the biggest tips for successfully storing bread, so you can get the most out of your favorite loaf while avoiding unwanted mold, crust, and moisture.
New York-based Sullivan Street Bakery, founded in 1994 by James Beard Award-winning baker Jim Lahey, brought its highly acclaimed bread down south in 2017. Today, it operates a production facility in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood, baking and distributing its rustic bread to a number of restaurants, hotels, country clubs, and venues in the South Florida region. The bakery's retail partnerships with shops like Milam's Market make bread storage even more important to its operation.
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Here's what Osten has to say about the best ways to store (and preserve) your bread.
Freeze your bread
"Freezing bread is the best way to preserve that crusty loaf for the longest time possible. Wrap tightly in a freezer bag, either whole or sliced. I like to put wax paper between slices when I freeze, as this makes it easier to take out just what I need. Defrosting a whole frozen loaf in the refrigerator overnight is the best way; out on the counter it can get soggy, and while it will toast just fine, it makes for a better loaf in the fridge. Also, don't forget to unwrap from the freezer bag when defrosting. This keeps any water from pooling while it defrosts. And if defrosting seems daunting, not to worry: You can always reheat bread straight from the freezer. For a whole loaf, try baking at 325 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, while slices can be popped right in the toaster."
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Store in paper, never plastic
"A fresh loaf of bread is best eaten within two to three days. If you plan on devouring it right away, then keeping it in a paper bag on the counter is the move. While storing in plastic seems like the right idea, this actually encourages mold growth, resulting in the bread going bad much faster. I also save the heels of my bread and use them as covers for the cut side of my loaf. Keeping the cut side of your loaf as unexposed as possible will also help retain its freshness."
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Bread boxes are your friends
"Bread boxes are a great way to keep bread, and a fun way to add style to your kitchen. They have small holes in them, which allow just a little air to circulate, keeping bread from molding. If you have pest concerns and prefer to keep bread in an airtight container, try tossing in a slice of bread with your loaf. The slice with more surface area will attract water and help control the moisture content in your container."
Where exactly you store your bread is critical
"Where you store your loaf can be just as important as how you store it. Bread goes on top of the refrigerator, right? Try again! Keeping bread on the fridge will cause paper-bagged bread to dry out, and plastic-bagged bread to mold faster. This comes from all the heat your fridge is putting out. Same for storing near a dishwasher; the excess heat and moisture these appliances give off is not bread-friendly. Try to store bread in a cool and dry area of your kitchen. If not out on the counter, then in a cabinet or a deep drawer."
Pick up reusable bread bags
"If you're looking for a more versatile or eco-friendly way to preserve your bread, try a reusable bread bag. There are more on the market these days and many are machine washable and work great in the freezer. Take them with you to the store and toss that fresh loaf right in. These can be a nice alternative to a paper bag that can get torn and always seems to let crumbs escape onto the counter. Reusable bags are made of breathable materials, so they behave like paper bags without the waste. Ranging from $7 to $20, they're a great investment for a bread (and environment) lover at any level."
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FAQs
The best thing you can do to truly prolong the life of your bread is to keep it in the freezer. Slicing it first (or cutting it into big chunks) allows you to remove portions as necessary so you don't run into the same problem of handling a whole loaf of bread. In this case, you can store your bread in plastic.
How do you store bread so it lasts longer? ›
The best thing you can do to truly prolong the life of your bread is to keep it in the freezer. Slicing it first (or cutting it into big chunks) allows you to remove portions as necessary so you don't run into the same problem of handling a whole loaf of bread. In this case, you can store your bread in plastic.
What are 2 tips for keeping bread fresh? ›
For best results, keep your bread away from excess heat and humidity. Keep it away from the stove, off the top of the fridge, away from the fruit bowl etc. Years ago, we used to keep our bread in a plastic bag, in a drawer nestled in-between the dishwasher and fridge.
What are the steps in proper bread storage? ›
Bread storage takeaways
- For best moisture retention, slice bread from the center out, rather than from one end. ...
- Wrapping bread to retain moisture keeps it soft, though it robs crusty artisan bread of its crispy crust.
- Wrapping in plastic (or foil) rather than cloth keeps bread soft longer.
Antimicrobials such as calcium propionate, sodium benzoate, or potassium sorbate, meanwhile, help to inhibit the growth of mold on the loaf, which also helps to give store-bought bread its long shelf-life.
Do bread boxes keep bread longer? ›
USE A BREAD BOX
You can keep your fresh loaf in a bread box for a few days. With its dark and dry interior, a bread box helps maintain a decent balance of moisture to keep the inside of the bread soft and its exterior crusty. Make sure there is plenty of room inside for good air circulation.
Is it better to refrigerate or freeze bread? ›
Freeze your bread
Bread might go stale ASAP when it's refrigerated, but freezing it is actually one of the best ways to extend its shelf life. Freezing your bread will prevent mold growth and stop staleness in its tracks.
What ingredient makes bread last longer? ›
Sorbic acid: This preservative is added to bread to inhibit the growth of molds, yeasts, and bacteria. Sodium benzoate: This preservative is added to bread to prevent the growth of yeasts and bacteria. Potassium sorbate: This preservative is added to bread to prevent the growth of molds, yeasts, and bacteria.
What is the best container for storing bread? ›
One of the best ways to store bread is to keep it in a bread bin, and those with a tight seal will help to keep your loaves fresher for longer. It should be kept in a cool place, but avoid keeping it in the fridge.
Can you store homemade bread in a Ziploc bag? ›
Here are a few reasons why it is not advisable to store bread in plastic bags: Plastic bags trap moisture: Store bread in a way that allows it to stay dry and maintain its texture. Plastic bags trap moisture, which can cause the bread to become soggy and lose its texture.
Commercial bakeries use two types of ingredients to slow spoilage — emulsifiers and enzymes. Emulsifiers keep bread from going stale by preventing oil and water from separating.
Does bread last longer in the fridge or on the counter? ›
*Never keep your bread in the fridge. The starch molecules in bread recrystallize very quickly at cool temperatures, and cause the bread to stale much faster when refrigerated. *Shop-bought loaves should be kept in an air-tight plastic bag at room temperature rather than in the fridge.
How do you store bread so it doesn't go bad? ›
Verdict: A freezer bag is a decent short-term, room-temperature bread storage solution. Storing your bread on the countertop in a plastic bag (or well-sealed plastic wrap) will help keep it from going stale, but be warned: the crust will suffer and grow mold due to trapped moisture.
What increases the shelf life of bread? ›
Using high-quality ingredients and optimizing the formulation can enhance the shelf life and overall quality of bread. Key considerations include: Flour selection: Choose flour with a lower moisture content and adequate protein levels, as this can contribute to improved bread structure and prolonged freshness.
What bread goes bad the fastest? ›
Crusty Bread
This is the type of bread that goes bad the fastest. Any type of bread with a crusty exterior, like baguettes, sourdough, or country loaves, is the most susceptible to staling. That's because there's no extra richness added to the dough.
How to store bread to prevent mold? ›
A bread box is a great option many home cooks have used for decades to prevent mold growth and staleness. A good bread box has features that support air circulation, which prevents moisture that leads to mold, and it also keeps the bread covered enough so that it does not dry out from being exposed to air and light.
