So, you want to know if you can freeze bread?
You are definitely in the right place. Today we will explain in detail if bread can be frozen, what happens if you do this and does anything happen to it after it has been frozen.
This short guide will explain it all, so keep reading to find out.
Can You Freeze Bread & Should You Be Doing It?
The answer to the question is yes, you can freeze bread. In fact, freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of bread. This is true for both store-bought and homemade bread. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
How Long Does Bread Last in The Freezer?
One of the great things about freezing bread is that you can store it for a pretty long time and not have to worry about it going bad or losing its taste/texture.
So how long can you keep bread in the freezer? Edward Willhoft, who Researched and published papers on bread and cake staling, answered that question on the popular site, Quora.
Essentially, you can store bread in the freezer for up to a year.
Willhoft stated “Provided the bread is wrapped in moisture-impervious container or film and thawed out quickly, the bread should survive a year in the deep freezer. All physical and chemical processes normally associated with staling become arrested by the low temperature. But remember that the starch component of bread undergoes retrogradation at its maximum rate at 2 C.”
Take it from an expert, bread can be stored for a long time in the freezer, the key is to ensure that it is packaged properly.
Related: Can You Freeze Hamburger Buns?
Does Freezing Bread Affect It’s Taste?
I’m sure you want to know about taste? Does frozen bread taste just as good as fresh bread? The answer is yes and no.
Some types of bread freeze better than others. For example, sourdough and rye bread tend to hold up well in the freezer, while Brioche and challah can become very dry and crumbly.
Bread that has been frozen and then thawed will be a little bit dryer than fresh bread, but this is dependent on how it was packed for storage and how long it’s been in the freezer.
The change in taste is not significant, but eating bread that has been frozen won’t be the same as a slice from a fresh loaf.
Why Store Bread in the Freezer?
There are many reasons why you might choose to freeze bread.
You probably came upon deals for fresh loaves of bread at the grocery store or maybe you made a batch of fresh bread and wanted to store them for future use.
Whatever the reason, the bread can be frozen. It lasts a long time when packaged properly and you will always have some on hand when you need it.
How to Freeze a Loaf of Bread? A Step-by-Step Guide
Freezing bread is quite simple and for most people who are only storing their bread for the short-term, they will often throw the bag in the freezer and that’s it.
If you are looking to store it for longer than say a week, up to a year, then take a look at our steps below.
What you will need: Freezer storage bags, saran wrap and fresh bread
Steps:
- Before you start, if you are doing fresh bread, take it out of the oven and let it cool before freezing.
- For fresh bread, you are going to slice it and wrap with plastic wrap. It is important to do multiple layers, as this will help to keep funky scents and odors in the freezer from affecting your bread.
For store bought bread in its own bag, you can also give it a few wraps, just to give it that added protection. - Once it is covered properly, you can now place the now wrapped bread in freezer bags. For a whole loaf, if you have a big enough freezer bag, you can throw it in.
- It is a good idea to write the date on the bag so you can have a timeline for when best to eat by (Remember, properly packaged bread can be stored in the freezer for up to a year)
- Close your freezer door and that is it.
That was a very simple process and as stated above, you can store frozen bread for up to a year.
When it comes to reheating, it is just as easy as freezing it.
Related: Can You Freeze Hot Dog Buns?
Using Your Frozen Bread
When you are ready to use your frozen loaf of bread, you will need to thaw it out and also reheat it.
Thawing the frozen loaf of bread will be your first thing you do when you are ready to use it.
The process is not difficult as you can remove it from the freezer and let sit on the kitchen countertop at room temperature.
After a couple of minutes, you can have the bread and it will be as fresh as when you first put it in.
You can warm it up by throwing it in the toaster oven.
Wrapping it up
Freezing bread can help extend its shelf life. It can be stored in the freezer for up to a year, with minimal change in it’s taste or texture (This depends on the type of bread and how it was packaged).
With a little know-how and some careful planning, though, freezing bread can be an easy way to stock up on this pantry staple.
