There's nothing quite like a fresh loaf of bread, whether slathered with butter and jam or turned into sandwiches, the possibilities are endless. But what if you have too much bread or want to save some for future use? Can you freeze bread? Yes, in fact, freezing bread is the best way to extend its life, whether you have a whole loaf, part of a loaf, or sliced bread. Learn the best methods, according to chefs and bakers. Also, find out how long you can freeze bread and what to do to avoid freezer burn.
- Lisa Brooks, chef and owner of Heart & Soul, a personal chef service
- Max Boonthanakit, chef of modern French bistro Camphor in Los Angeles
- Drew Gimma, baker and director of operations for Bread Man Baking Co. in Houston, Texas
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How to Freeze Loaves of 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. Chef Max Boonthanakit of the modern French bistro Camphor in Los Angeles also follows this method.
How to Freeze Sliced Bread
This technique works for store-bought sliced bread as well. In fact, Drew Gimma, the director of operations for Bread Man Baking Co. in Houston, Texas, recommends slicing pretty much any bread before you freeze it "so you can thaw just as much as you need and not the whole loaf," he says.
Place the slices in a freezer-safe plastic bag and remove as much air as possible before sealing. (For extra protection from freezer burn, you can also wrap all the slices together in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer bag.)
The Breads That Freeze Best
Some breads last better in the freezer than others. "Sourdoughs and simple breads that are only flour, salt, and water store extremely well in the freezer," says Boonthanakit. Enriched breads like brioche and challah and other breads that include dairy and eggs seem to degrade in quality after being frozen. Dairy- and egg-containing loaves can be wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen just like simple breads, but he says they would be better used for a preparation like bread pudding or stuffing when they are thawed, as opposed to sandwiches or toast.
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How to Avoid Bread Freezer Burn and Identify Spoilage
While bread will not spoil in the freezer, you will see a loss of quality over time.
How Long Bread Lasts in the Freezer
"Typically, bread should maintain its quality in the freezer for up to two months, but that can vary depending on its moisture content, how fresh the bread is before going into the freezer, and how often you are going in and out of the freezer," Gimma says.
Freezer Burn
Freezer burn is the main issue to avoid. It is caused by air getting into the surrounding storage bag. The key to avoiding freezer burn is to protect the bread from air by wrapping it well and removing as much air as possible before placing it in the freezer. If you see large ice crystals inside of the wrapping, the texture or taste of the bread has been compromised.
Spoiled Bread
Should the bread start to smell like other items in your freezer during the thawing process—or it becomes crumbly or breaks apart—it likely is past its prime, says Brooks.
How to Defrost Bread
Defrosting a loaf of bread is simple—just take it out of the freezer and let it defrost at room temperature until it is no longer ice cold, says Gimma. Then, refresh the loaf and return it to near-fresh quality by reheating it in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit; take it out when it is warmed through.
Defrosting Slices
If you're defrosting slices, as opposed to an entire or partial loaf, pop them into your toaster after they reach a normal temperature.
As with other foods, avoid refreezing bread to avoid further changes in texture and taste.
FAQs
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.
How do you freeze a whole loaf of 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.
What are the rules for freezing bread? ›
Storing your bread in plastic will soften the crust. To recrisp, follow directions below. Freeze (up to 3 months) in a plastic bag with the air squeezed out as much as possible. Thaw in the unopened plastic bag at room temperature (bread will reabsorb the ice crystals).
How do you freeze bread without slices sticking together? ›
If you want to freeze them for a longer period of time, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap before placing them in the freezer bag. Wrapping each one individually also prevents them from sticking to each other.
How to keep bread fresh in the freezer? ›
Most breads freeze very well with little to no loss in quality or texture. The enemy is freezer air, which can cause freezer burn and impart freezer-aroma flavors. To prevent this, wrap each loaf tightly in two layers of plastic wrap before placing it in a large resealable freezer bag.
Can you freeze and thaw a loaf of bread? ›
Nothing beats freshly baked bread, but thawed bread that's been properly frozen is about 90% as good. Give the crust of artisan loaves like baguettes or No-Knead Crusty White Bread a quick refresh in a 350°F oven, tenting with foil to prevent over-browning, if needed.
Should I wrap bread in foil before freezing? ›
Double wrap the loaf or slices in cling film or tin foil to protect your bread from freezer burn. Step 4: It is handy to date your wrapped loaf before freezing and consume within 6 months.
Should I freeze bread in paper or plastic? ›
You can simply leave the bread in the paper bag that you got from the baker. However, if you plan to freeze the bread for several weeks or months, you should put your bread in plastic wrap, freezer paper or foil. Ideally, this will ensure that the frozen bread stays fresh for as long as possible.
How do you wrap bread in freezer paper? ›
Wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then wrap it again in foil or freezer paper. Label with the date and freeze for up to six months. Tip: Slice your bread before you freeze it. That way, you won't have to thaw and refreeze the entire loaf every time you want a slice or two.
What are the downsides of freezing bread? ›
The structure of the starch is broken down by the freezing process, making it harder for digestive enzymes in the mouth and gut to break it down, says Dr Thondre. 'Even when the bread is defrosted, those starches cannot return to their original state, in fact they become even less digestible,' she adds.
Just about any other bread is freezer eligible, though, including sandwich loaves, old-world boules, yeasted coffee cakes, and you can also freeze bread like dinner rolls. And he says it's possible to freeze these carb-y goodies and enjoy them later in a not-rock-hard state.
Why is my bread not freezing in the freezer? ›
You'll want to make sure that there is space around your items for the cold air to go between. Keeping it too tightly stacked will result in cool, but not frozen, food.
Is it better to freeze bread whole or sliced? ›
One of the best ways to freeze bread is to cut them into slices or to divide the slices up if the bread already comes pre-sliced. Why? Because not many people eat a whole loaf at a time! Freezing bread this way helps to make it last longer and minimise waste.
How do you make frozen bread moist again? ›
Then, when you're ready to eat the bread, run the entire loaf under running water. “Sounds crazy but your bread loses water as it sits there, even in the freezer,” @theearlyrisebaker explains. “Get it nice and wet.” Next, stick to bread in a 350-degree “moderately hot oven, not super hot” for a few minutes.
What do you do if frozen bread slices are stuck together? ›
Perhaps the easiest way to separate frozen sliced bread is by using a knife. However, instead of trying to pry the slices apart with the tip of the knife, you should use its heel — the part of the blade farthest from the tip.
How long does bread last after defrosting? ›
"It can take on some pretty gross flavors if it's thawed and frozen and thawed and frozen," Golper explains. If you've indulged in a high-quality loaf, you'll have about two days to use it after it's been defrosted.
Can you freeze bread in original packaging? ›
You can freeze bread at any time. Simply place it in its original packaging or wrap it tightly in a freezer bag before freezing. This keeps it from drying out. You can freeze on the day you buy or any time up until the best before date.
How do you heat up a frozen loaf of bread? ›
Heat Your Bread
- Place loaf in 400°F preheated oven. - If frozen, heat 25–35 min. If thawed, heat 10–20 min. - Every oven is different, so adjust temperature and time as needed.
