Once you've mastered sourdough or spent the time to make a perfect loaf of pumpernickel bread, it's time to enjoy it. Since homemade bread doesn't keep as long as store-bought bread, which generally contains preservatives, you need to know how to store it to keep it at its freshest and best. The last thing you want is for it to go stale before you've had the chance to savor it slathered with butter or topped with avocado. The key to keeping that loaf as fresh as possible is proper storage—ahead, find out how to store homemade bread for a couple of days or longer.
- Jason Schreiber, baker, food stylist, and author of Fruit Cake: Recipes for the Curious Baker
- Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D.,food scientistand author of150 Food Science Questions Answered
- Johanna Hartzheim, co-founder and head of product at Wildgrain, a bread and pasta delivery service
How Long Homemade Bread Lasts
"Since homemade bread is preservative-free, it's likely to get stale within a couple of days after baking," says Jason Schreiber, food stylist and author of Fruit Cake: Recipes for the Curious Baker. Some types of freshly baked bread will last longer than others.
"Enriched breads like brioche, challah, and some sandwich loaves are higher in fat and sugar and will keep longer due to their ability to maintain higher moisture levels," says Schreiber. "Sourdough breads, which are more complex than standard yeast breads, can also maintain freshness longer due to the effects of the bacteria in the culture on the dough."
Johanna Hartzheim, co-founder and head of product at Wildgrain, a bread and pasta delivery service, recommends eating homemade bread within three days but says it will last up to a week. "The bread will start to dry up and become a bit harder over time, but it takes much longer until it becomes moldy," she says.
How to Store Homemade Bread If You'll Eat It Within a Few Days
If you will be eating the homemade bread within three or four days:
Don't slice it: Bread keeps best if it's unsliced—only slice the amount you'll need for a single meal.
Don't put homemade bread in the fridge: Homemade bread typically does not store well in the refrigerator. "The temperatures found in the fridge are optimal for a process called retrogradation, where the starches in the bread transition from their amorphous state to their more stable crystalline state. The crystalline starches create a very hard, stale bread." says food scientist Bryan Quoc Le, author of 150 Food Science Questions Answered.
The exception to the no-fridge rule says Hartzheim is parbaked bread, which you could store for a day or two in the refrigerator before baking it.
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Use the right container: The key, Le says, is to use something that will exclude as much air as possible to reduce oxidation and keep the moisture from evaporating from the bread surface while it's being stored.
Bread boxes, if you have one, work great, but you can also use wax paper, a beeswax and linen bag, or even a dishcloth.A clean dish towel is one of Hartzheim's favorite options. "Plastic bags help keep the crumb (the interior of the loaf) soft but also make the crust soft. If you will toast the bread, it's fine, but otherwise, it's a mushy, unpleasant crust.," says Hartzheim.
The exception is sandwich loaves, which are meant to be soft and tender and can be stored in a plastic bag.
How to Store Homemade Bread for Longer
If you don't plan to eat the bread within a few days, your best bet is to freeze it. It'll last for up to three months in the freezer, says Le. You should slice the bread before you freeze it—slice it into single portions, wrap it in wax or parchment paper, and place it in an airtight container.
"It's nice to pull out a slice or two and toast from frozen. This way, you do not need to be stressed about eating the whole loaf in time, but can, for example, slice and freeze half of the loaf and eat the other half fresh within two to three days," says Hartzheim.
How to Use Up Stale Bread
If you didn't manage to keep that bread from going stale, don't worry. It can be repurposed into breadcrumbs, French toast, bread pudding, and other dishes.
FAQs
A good example might be if you bake two loaves at one time, plan to eat one this coming week, but want the second loaf for the week or two after. Once the baked bread is fully cool, wrap it in plastic. Then, take the wrapped loaf and put it into a freezer Ziplock bag.
How do you store fresh bread so it doesn't get stale? ›
Store fresh bread in a cool, dry place away from excess heat, moisture and air. Paper, plastic bags & bread boxes? They all work. Here's how to do it- without mold.
How do bakers keep bread fresh? ›
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.
Should homemade bread be stored in the fridge or on the counter? ›
In short, if you plan to eat your bread quickly, store it at room temperature in a cool, dark, dry place such as a pantry, bread box, or cabinet, or freeze it if you want it to last longer.
What is the best thing to keep homemade bread fresh? ›
Bread boxes, if you have one, work great, but you can also use wax paper, a beeswax and linen bag, or even a dishcloth. A clean dish towel is one of Hartzheim's favorite options.
What keeps bread fresh the longest? ›
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.
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.
Can I freeze homemade bread? ›
Both store-bought and homemade bread should freeze well, says Lisa Brooks, the chef and owner of Heart & Soul, a personal chef service. Her go-to method involves wrapping the bread in two layers of plastic wrap and then storing the loaf in a resealable plastic freezer bag before freezing.
Does putting bread in the refrigerator make it last longer? ›
The reason a refrigerator is bad for bread: When bread is stored in a cold (but above freezing) environment, this recrystallization, and therefore staling, happens much faster than at warmer temperatures. Freezing, however, dramatically slows the process down.
Where is the best place to store bread? ›
You should keep your bread far away from the stove, the top of the fridge, or any area that's near sources of heat. Instead, your best bet it to keep it in a dark, cool section of your kitchen counter or your pantry.
Although plastic bags and airtight containers may seem like a good way to keep your bread from going stale, the lack of airflow will foster an environment for mold growth, because the moisture is contained and mold loves moisture. If you want to put your bread in a container, a bread box is the way to go.
How do you store homemade bread in the summer? ›
The best way to keep freshly baked bread as fresh as possible is to store it at room temperature in a part of the kitchen that isn't too hot or dry, according to Davis. When leaving it on the counter, it's best to keep it out of places that attract sunlight, such as right next to a window.
How long will homemade bread last? ›
The shelf life of homemade bread can vary depending on the type of bread, the recipe used, and the storage conditions. Generally, homemade bread can last for 2-3 days at room temperature, but may last longer if stored properly.
How to store bread to prevent mold? ›
To save bread so it stays fresh longer, you can store it in plastic wrap, a reusable zip-top plastic bag, or a bread box. Avoid storing bread in damp, airy locations, which can speed up molding. If you're not going to eat the loaf in two or three days, the best option is to freeze it for later.
Can I leave fresh baked bread on the counter overnight? ›
While it's safe to keep many baked goods at room temperature, it depends on the item and should be taken on a case-by-case basis. For instance, breads and rolls can last up to four days at room temperature, but any bread with meat or hard-boiled eggs should be refrigerated within two hours, according to the USDA.
Does putting a loaf of bread in the fridge make it last longer? ›
"When storing bread, the number one thing you should not do is put it in the refrigerator," he insists. "This is because the temperature and environment of a refrigerator can actually expedite the staling process and will not keep it fresh."
What additives make homemade bread last longer? ›
Some of the most common preservatives used in bread making include:
- Calcium propionate: This is a commonly used preservative that is added to bread to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.
- Sorbic acid: This preservative is added to bread to inhibit the growth of molds, yeasts, and bacteria.
Lecithin is a natural preservative that comes from soy or egg yolks. Adding lecithin to your regular loaf of bread helps keep it fluffy and light. At the same time, it acts as a natural preservative for your bread. Powdered ascorbic acid is another well-known natural food preservative used in bread.
What makes bread stay soft and fresh longer? ›
Store it in a bread box
If you want your bread to remain soft, your best bet is to keep it in a bread box. These are ideal for maintaining the conditions necessary for keeping baked goods fresher for longer.
