What’s the Best Way to Keep Bread Fresh? | Food For Life (2024)

FAQs

What’s the Best Way to Keep Bread Fresh? | Food For Life? ›

The best way to keep bread fresh is to store it in the freezer, but it's very important to know how long your bread is going to last. This can be difficult as many healthy bread brands do not have a “best by” date because they do not use added preservatives.

If you have soft, enriched bread like challah, brioche, or pain de mie, and you know you're going to eat it within two to three days, then plastic is your best bet. If it's going to take longer than that, then you should freeze it (also in plastic). Wrapping bread in foil works, too, as it is airtight.

USE A BREAD BOX

You can keep your fresh loaf in a bread box for a few days. With its dark and dry interior, a bread box helps maintain a decent balance of moisture to keep the inside of the bread soft and its exterior crusty. Make sure there is plenty of room inside for good air circulation.

*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.

The good news - bread bags do work!

Natural fibres such as linen or cotton are perfect for keeping bread fresh for longer, and Australian made Aussie Bread Bags are a perfect option.

While it's safe to keep many baked goods at room temperature, it depends on the item and should be taken on a case-by-case basis. For instance, breads and rolls can last up to four days at room temperature, but any bread with meat or hard-boiled eggs should be refrigerated within two hours, according to the USDA.

Paper bags are more breathable than plastic, which is great for brioche rolls, soft buns, and other breads with added fat. But too much air will make the bread go stale quickly. Consider keeping these bags airtight as best you can. Then there's the bread box: it balances moisture and air circulation.

While you can technically store your bread in many different ways, we prefer using a bread box so all of our baked goods have a place to live. As an added bonus, they also tend to last much longer. Bread boxes come in many fun and functional styles and designs, so you can easily find one to match your kitchen style.

A bread box keeps baked goods from getting stale or moldy by regulating humidity. The lid traps some moist air to keep bread from drying out and turning into a rock, but it also allows enough circulation that moisture won't build up too much and cause mold.

According to The National Peanut Board, an unopened jar of peanut butter can last six to nine months at room temperature. Once opened, they say that it can last two to three months in the pantry before you should move it to the fridge, where it can maintain quality for another three to four months.

What bread lasts the longest? ›

Rye bread: Rye bread tends to be more dense and have a longer shelf life than other bread types. It can last for up to a week at room temperature, and up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Ideal Conditions: Bread lasts the longest if you place it in a dark, dry, and cool place away from sunlight. It also needs to breathe, especially if you live somewhere warm. If you seal it tight in a plastic bag and leave it on the counter, there's a risk of it growing mold from the lack of airflow.

To maintain the freshness of your bread, it's essential to store it in the right container. Opt for an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag that provides a tight seal. This helps to prevent exposure to air and moisture, which can accelerate staleness.

To save bread so it stays fresh longer, you can store it in plastic wrap, a reusable zip-top plastic bag, or a bread box. Avoid storing bread in damp, airy locations, which can speed up molding. If you're not going to eat the loaf in two or three days, the best option is to freeze it for later.

But if you plan to polish it off within a few days, let it stay on the counter inside an airy cotton bag. For those who live in cold, dry places, it's always good to store bread at room temperature. Using an airtight container will preserve the moisture in the bread and keep it from drying out too quickly.

Store in a cotton/ linen bread bag

My number one tip is to pop your loaf into a cotton or linen bread bag or wrap your loaf in a clean tea towel. As a loaf stales it continues to lose moisture. If your bag or cloth is made of a natural, breathable material such as cotton or linen any moisture will be wicked away.