Bread can be a lifesaver when you’re too busy to prepare a full meal. So, it’s nice to stock up on this all-time favorite. One downside to filling your pantry with it is its short shelf life. Do you know how to keep it fresh longer? It’s by learning how to freeze bread!
Why is it a Good Idea to Freeze Bread?
Most home and commercial bakers add only a small amount of preservatives. Some bread, especially artisanal ones, don’t have additives. These features make them spoil quickly.
Leaving bread on the pantry or the kitchen counter will make them stale easily. Some baked goods may even get moldy. Tossing them in the freezer will preserve your bread for a long time. It will save you money and frequent trips to the bakeshop. And the best thing about it is you’ll have bread any time you want.
When do you need to freeze bread?
We all know that bread spoils fast. Its shelf life is only for a few days. It’s best to store it in the freezer if you won’t be eating it soon. A bread’s number one enemy is moisture loss. And no one wants dry, hard bread. So make the freezer your best friend.
It’s also wise to freeze bread when anticipating a storm or snow. Nothing beats being safe in your home with food to eat.
You can also take advantage of store promotions and buy baked goods in bulk. You just store the bread in the freezer and pop it in the toaster when you’re ready to eat. This practice can save you money in the long run. You won’t have to run to the grocery store when you crave bread.
Will frozen and defrosted bread taste the same as freshly-baked bread?
Yes, frozen and defrosted bread tastes almost the same. Most simple bread will have no distinct change in quality. However, bread made with eggs, butter, and milk may lose some of its flavor and texture.
How long can bread stay in the freezer?
You can store bread in the freezer for up to three months. It can stay for six months as long as you’ve wrapped them properly. Bread won’t spoil in extreme temperatures. However, a year-old bread might not taste great anymore.
How to Freeze Different Kinds of Bread
There are over nearly a hundred types of bread. Some bread, like rolls and buns, has dairy and eggs. Meanwhile, simple bread contains only flour, sugar, and yeast. The freezing “how-tos” will depend on the bread’s ingredients and baking process.
Steps in freezing sliced bread
It’s a great idea to freeze bread slices individually. This way, you can get only what you need and not bring out the whole loaf.
Method 1: Using a plastic bag or Ziploc
- Place bread slices in a clean and sturdy plastic or Ziploc bag.
- Expel as much air as possible.
- Seal the bag using a heat sealer. If you’re using a Ziploc, ensure that you’ve sealed it properly.
Method 2: Using cling wrap
- Cover each bread slice tightly with cling wrap.
- Place it inside a Ziploc or plastic bag.
It’s best to pop the bread in the freezer immediately after packing them.
Steps in freezing bread with eggs and dairy
Fancy bread like croissants contains dairy and eggs. Unlike simple bread, they won’t be as delicious as when they’re freshly baked. So, it’s better to use them for roast stuffing or bread pudding once they’re defrosted.
All you need to do is encase them in cling wrap. Make sure there are no open edges so air won’t penetrate the bread. Then, chuck in in the freezer until you need them.
Freezing simple bread and sourdough
Bread made with basic ingredients such as flour, water, and salt keeps well in the freezer. You can wrap them in foil, cling wrap, or freezer paper. Then, place them inside a plastic bag for further protection. You can save store-bought bread in the freezer in its packaging.
Freezing buns and rolls
Hamburger buns and dinner rolls are meal staples in many households. It will help if you stock up on these essentials in the freezer. You don’t need to rush to the store, especially during busy nights.
Do you have buns and rolls that are headed for the freezer? Follow these directions to keep them tasting fresh as the day you bought them.
- Lay the bread beside each other inside a freezer-safe bag.
- Seal the bag tightly.
- Label with the date and product name (whether they are buns or rolls).
- Keep in the freezer until your next burger night or roast chicken dinner.
These instructions can also be applied to banana bread, muffins, cornbread, and bagels.
Freezing Flatbread
Flatbreads are a mainstay in most Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Mexican, and Indian cuisine. It’s a good idea to stock up on flatbreads or pita bread when you’re a fan of these dishes. Learn how with the following steps:
- Place the flatbreads in a freezer-safe bag. You can also keep it in its packaging.
- Wrap it in aluminum foil for added protection.
- Keep in the freezer.
Here are 9 Tips on Freezing Bread
You can reap several rewards by learning how to freeze bread the right way. It can save you time and money. The best benefit is having food ready any time of the day.
To maximize your efforts, we’ve asked homemakers and bakers for more tips on freezing bread. Check them out on the list below.
- Freeze bread when it’s still fresh.
- Check for the manufacturing date when buying from the store. Make sure to purchase a newly made batch. If you’re baking your own bread, cool it down first before freezing it.
- Wrap buns and bagels individually to prevent them from sticking to each other. This way, you can just get what you need.
- Slice bagels before wrapping and freezing them. It will make toasting them easier and faster.
- Place a piece of baking or parchment paper between each tortilla before freezing them.
- Slice a whole loaf before you store them in the freezer. Then, wrap each piece individually.
- Bake a big batch of bread and freeze them before a pig party. It will save you time to do other things.
- Label the packs of bread with a date and product name—for example, cinnamon rolls, 2/20/2023.
- Try freezing dough instead of freezing baked bread. You’ll be able to enjoy freshly-baked bread anytime.
Ready to Eat your Bread? Here’s How to Defrost It!
Suppose you’re craving bread, and you have some in the freezer. You need to take it out and defrost it properly. A perfectly thawed and reheated bread will taste as good as the day you baked them.
How to thaw bread
Remove the bread from the freezer and place them on the kitchen counter. Make sure it’s defrosting at room temperature. It’s best to thaw the bread slices until it’s not cold anymore. Then, pop it in the toaster for a nice and crunchy toast.
Can you refreeze bread?
It’s not a good idea to refreeze bread after it has thawed. Refreezing bread can change its taste and texture. So, make sure to plan before pulling the bread out from the cold.
How to reheat frozen bread
Now that the bread is out of the freezer, it’s time to reheat them. You may use the following techniques for warm, delicious bread.
For toasted bread slices and bagels:
Place the frozen bread in the toaster straight from the freezer. Add a few minutes to accommodate thawing time.
For bread loaves and specialty bread:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Celcius. Then, reheat the bread for 3-5 minutes or until it’s warm enough for you.
For flatbreads and pita bread:
Drizzle some olive oil on a skillet and wait until it’s hot. Place the bread and heat it for 1 minute on each side.
How would you know if frozen bread has gone bad?
The first sign that bread has gone bad is freezer burn. It happens when air enters the plastic bag. If you notice ice crystals inside the packaging, it means that the taste and texture won’t be the same anymore.
It’s also time to let go of frozen bread when it smells like other food in your freezer. When there’s a funky smell when you’re thawing the bread, it’s time to toss it out. Lastly, if the bread crumbles after defrosting, it’s not good to eat anymore.
What can you do to thawed bread?
Frozen and thawed bread has many possibilities to satisfy your hunger pangs. Aside from eating it in its original form, you can try any of the following applications:
- Toast
- Croutons
- Bread pudding
- Breadcrumbs
- French toast
- French onion soup
- Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad)
- Herb stuffing
- Stuffing muffins
Wrapping Up
Bread can be a lifesaver during busy days. It can tide you over when you’re craving sandwiches or toast. Learning how to freeze bread will save you trips to the supermarket. It will allow you to stock up on all your favorite baked goods without compromising their quality.
