The tips you need to make bread last longer (2024)

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The tips you need to make bread last longer (1)

Here's how to stop bread from going stale so quickly.

By GHI Team, Cher Loh and Katie Mortram

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Freshly baked bread is a delicious addition to the dinner table, but enjoy it while you can. Bread will soon turn stale once it’s exposed to the air, giving it a short lifespan and little chance to finish the whole loaf.

Thankfully, there are ways you can make your bread last longer – and it’s not all about the freezer! We asked the experts on the Good Housekeeping Cookery Team for their top tips, including how to revive stale bread. Here’s what you need to know.

How to keep homemade bread fresh

  • If making your own bread, choose recipes that include fats like butter, oil or eggs. These ingredients will help to preserve the bread and keep it softer for longer.
  • Wait for your freshly-baked loaf to cool completely before storing. Try to consume fresh bread as soon as possible — bread will start to stale once it has cooled.
  • If you are planning to freeze homemade bread, do it as soon as possible after baking and cooling. Wrap it in plastic and, ideally, slice the bread before freezing. Sliced, it will thaw out in around 10 minutes, or can be quickly toasted using the defrost setting on your toaster.
  • If you’re using a bread maker, make use of the delay start function so it only finishes baking when you’re ready to eat it. Leaving your freshly baked loaf to sit in the machine overnight only gives it a head start on turning stale.

    The tips you need to make bread last longer (3)

    How to keep shop-bought bread fresh

    • Never keep your bread in the fridge. The starch molecules in bread recrystallise 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. For bakery breads that are usually sold in a paper bag, remove them from the bag when you get it home, wrap tightly in cling film and store at room temperature. Bread boxes are great if you want to keep a loaf for a couple of days.
    • As soon as you’ve removed what you need from your loaf, seal it back up immediately in its air-tight bag. Do not leave bread sitting in the open.

    Can I freeze bread?

    Bread freezes really well. You can freeze whole loaves or in slices so you can take out a slice or two at a time to toast or use for sandwiches.

    What can I do with stale bread?

    • The best way to refresh bread that has staled is to run the loaf under tap water until the crust is wet, then heat it for five to 10 minutes in a 180˚C oven. The starch molecules will re-absorb the water and your bread will be nicely revived!
    • It's even worth freezing bread that has gone a little stale as there are still plenty of uses for it - croutons, delicious French toast for Sunday brunch or a comforting treat in bread and butter pudding.
    • If your loaf really has gone stale, don’t just chuck it – make breadcrumbs (in a food processor) and freeze them for gratin toppings, stuffings and coatings.

    The tips you need to make bread last longer (8)

    Katie Mortram

    Household Advice Editor

    As the Household Advice Editor, Katie looks after all things cleaning and decluttering. She started out as a Junior Tester in the Good Housekeeping Institute 10 years ago, so she’s tested plenty of appliances in her time too, including dishwashers and washing machines. Nowadays, she focuses on keeping our cleaning content up to date and accurate, testing relevant products and learning about the latest methods and trends along the way.

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    The tips you need to make bread last longer (2024)

    FAQs

    The tips you need to make bread last longer? ›

    Store fresh bread in a cool, dry place away from excess heat, moisture and air. Paper, plastic bags & bread boxes? They all work.

    What is the best way to keep bread fresh longer? ›

    Store fresh bread in a cool, dry place away from excess heat, moisture and air. Paper, plastic bags & bread boxes? They all work.

    What can I add to bread to make it last longer? ›

    Here are a few simple ways to prevent bread gone bad without altering flavor or causing unpleasant side effects.
    1. Keep it in the Freezer. ...
    2. Keep it Tightly Sealed. ...
    3. Work Honey into the Recipe. ...
    4. Work Cinnamon into the Recipe. ...
    5. Add in a Bit of Pectin. ...
    6. Add an Enzyme. ...
    7. Why It's Important to Extend Shelf Life.
    Apr 17, 2020

    What makes bread stay soft and fresh longer? ›

    Hydrocolloids can retain moisture in the bread. This is important because moisture plays a crucial role in the freshness and softness of bread. By holding onto water, hydrocolloids help prevent the bread from drying out too quickly, thus maintaining its moistness for longer.

    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.

    What homemade bread lasts the longest? ›

    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.

    What is the best preservative for bread? ›

    Propionic acid, as well as its salt, are the most widely used chemical preservatives in bread [7]. It helps prevent mold deterioration and bread ropiness that occurs due to B. subtilis. However, they are continually investigated due to the possibility of developing chronic non-communicable diseases [75].

    How to add preservatives to bread? ›

    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. It reduces the growth of microorganisms plus helps the yeast rise faster.

    How to increase the life of 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.

    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.

    What is the secret to softer bread? ›

    Bread Making Tips For Softer Bread
    1. Do Not Over-Knead Your Dough. ...
    2. Ensure Dough is Well Hydrated. ...
    3. Lubricate With Oil. ...
    4. Add Sugar. ...
    5. Add Eggs. ...
    6. Reduce Baking Time. ...
    7. Create Steam in Oven. ...
    8. Add Milk.
    Mar 27, 2023

    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.

    Should bread be kept in an airtight container? ›

    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.

    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.

    Do bread bags work? ›

    Absolutely! Storing your bread in plastic means that the crust gets spongy and the bread goes mouldy quickly. Storing it in paper, means it turns into one big crouton! Stored in a linen bread bag, the bread stays fresh for up to 5 days!

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