How to Keep Store-Bought Bread Fresh
You can leave store-bought bread in the plastic it came in. Consume in 3 to 5 days for guaranteed freshness, but it can last up to a week as long as there’s no mold present. Bread lovers might also benefit from storing bread (purchased or homemade) in a bread box, which is ventilated to keep the bread fresh without building up unwanted moisture.
Storing Homemade Bread
Homemade bread including yeast breads and quick breads like banana bread should be completely cooled on a wire rack as soon as they’re done baking. This prevents the bottom from getting soggy. Keep them in a paper bag rather than plastic or consider getting a reusable bread bag ($8.99, Etsy), which will wick away moisture.
How to Store Bread in the Freezer
If you already know you won’t be finishing those dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, or loaf of whole-wheat before they’ll start going bad (3 days), the freezer is your best bet to preserve it. You can freeze store-bought bread in the plastic bag it came in and it should stay good for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or place a frozen slice directly in the toaster.
Freezing Homemade Bread
Make and bake your homemade bread, quick bread, or rolls and freeze to keep them fresh until you’re ready to serve (this works great for the holidays). Wrap cooled bread (sliced or whole) or rolls in foil; place in resealable plastic freezer bags or freezer containers. Freeze up to 3 months. To serve, unwrap and thaw bread at room temperature.
Storing Bread in the Fridge
Believe it or not, storing bread in the fridge actually causes it to go stale more quickly than at room temperature. For bread containing perishable ingredients such as meats and cheeses, freeze what you don’t eat the first day to preserve the best flavor and texture. Since you know how to store bread properly, use our must-know baking tips for bread to make a batch of everyday artisan bread or our best-ever cinnamon rolls.
