NEVER WASTE A LOAF OF BREAD WITH THESE TIPS

Could there be anything better than freshly baked bread slathered in butter or strawberry jam? From sourdough and French bread to pillowy brioche, it's one of the simplest, most satisfying snacks you can make. It's the perfect breakfast side, charcuterie board staple, or vessel for any sandwich. And once it starts to go stale, it's ideal for breadcrumbs, croutons, bread pudding, or stuffing. But still, it can be difficult to finish a loaf while it's still in its prime. This is where the freezer comes into play.

How To Freeze Bread

One of the biggest hurdles to homemade bread is its short shelf life. But bread can be frozen to be enjoyed at a later date. It's better to freeze bread while it's still fresh, so if you don't think you're going to finish your loaf of rye before it starts to harden, you should freeze a portion of it.

Before freezing, it's best to slice the loaf first. You can package it up all together, or freeze it in smaller portions to be tossed in the toaster when needed.

When wrapping it up, you'll want to make sure to remove all the air in order to keep it fresh. Use plastic wrap to tightly wrap the entire loaf or individual slices. You'll then want to put these in a freezer bag, making sure to get all the extra air out. Aluminum foil can also be used in place of the plastic bag. Make sure to label the package with a date so you know when it was placed in the freezer.

How To Thaw Frozen Bread

There are a variety of ways you can revive frozen bread, so we asked the Delish team for some of their go-to methods. It can be thawed in the refrigerator or on the countertop before tossing in the toaster or oven, but it doesn't have to be thawed first.

If you froze slices of bread, the toaster is probably your best option. If it's already thawed, you can throw it in the toaster one time. But if it's straight out of the freezer, simply toast it twice.

To revive an entire loaf, you'll want to use your oven. Our food director Robert Seixas recommends dousing the frozen bread with water before putting it in the oven.

For a frozen baguette, he'll run it under water then toss it in a 375 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

How Long Does Frozen Bread Last?

How long frozen bread lasts depends on several factors like the type of bread and how well it's packaged for freezing. Bread products will keep their quality for three months in the freezer, according to the USDA. Of course, if you notice any signs of spoilage like mold or a strange odor, it's best to toss it.

2024-07-03T16:42:03Z dg43tfdfdgfd