Can Bread Be Refrigerated?

It is ideal to let your bread be at room temperature. But sometimes, you may have too much bread and want to extend its lifespan for a few days. You may therefore be wondering whether it is okay to refrigerate bread.

You can refrigerate bread. But refrigerating bread may not be the safest way to extend its shelf life. This is because the cold temperature would make the starch in your bread recrystallize and lose moisture. This will give the bread stake flavor in addition to making it dry and tough.

In this blog post, I will show you how to refrigerate bread properly. I will also discuss a few other ways to store bread safely.

Can Bread Be Refrigerated

Store homemade bread at room temperature will last for four days, while store-bought bread can be fresh for up to seven days. But if you plan to eat your bread in a couple of days, you can put it in the fridge. Doing so will extend its shelf life by five days.

When you store homemade bread, it could last for up to nine days, while store-bought bread would be fresh to eat for up to 12 days. However, it is important to note that the fridge may not be the best place to store the bread, and you have to take the necessary precautions to prevent it from going bad.

How To Store Refrigerate Bread

Here is a detailed discussion of storing your bread in the fridge.

Wrap it in an Airtight Container

You will want to store your bread in an airtight container as this will prevent rancidity. The container will prevent moisture from getting in, preventing your bread from going bad. It will also prevent the entry of any foreign material that could cause the bread to go bad.

Use A Freezer Bag

A freezer nag can also come in handy when you want to store bread in the refrigerator. The bag will not only maintain the quality of the bread, but it will keep it from growing mold.

Use Its Original Packaging

You can also decide to use the bread’s original packaging. This method may not apply to everyone because you probably throw away the clip when opening the bread. You need to hold on to the clip so that you can use it to keep moisture from going out of the bread.

Why is Refrigerating Bread Not Advisable

While you can refrigerate bread, I would not recommend it as your first option. This is because the cold temperature that is not freezing will cause the crystallization process of starch to be rapid. This will lead to your bread being dry and hard half in a very short time.

Best Ways to Store Bread

Now that you know how to store bread in the refrigerator, let’s look at more options you have to keep your bread from going bad:

Freeze The Bread

This is the best option when it comes to storing bread. As discussed earlier, refrigerating the bread may keep it from going bad, but it doesn’t keep it from drying. Freezing it, on the other hand, does both. You will have your bread moist and fresh whenever you want to use it.

I would recommend you pre-slice the loaf rather than freeze it whole. This will make it easier to deal with your bread when you only need to create a single sandwich or slice of toast. All types of bread, including bagels, respond nicely to freezing (but never freeze bagels without slicing them in half first). Although the preparation may take some time, you’ll be happy you made an effort when it’s time for breakfast.

Here are steps to take when you want to freeze your bread:

• First, wrap it in plastic, removing as much air as possible.
• After that, wrap it again with a layer of aluminum foil
• Place it in a freezer

Store it on the Counter

If you plan on taking the bread within a few days, you should store it on your kitchen counter. You need to keep it in a cool and dry place on your counter to prevent it from getting soggy. This method may not be ideal when you have a lot of bread and want to keep it fresh for longer.

You need to avoid using plastic bags because these would encourage the growth of mold. I prefer using paper bags to keep the bread moist and fresh. Ensure the cut side of the bread is not exposed too much to maintain the bread’s freshness.

Use Bread Boxes

These boxes are a great way to keep bread. It is also a fun way to add some style to your kitchen. These bread boxes have small holes that allow just a little air to circulate. This keeps the bread from molding.

If you have insect concerns, try to include a piece of bread with your loaf if you want to preserve bread in an airtight container. The slice with the larger surface area will draw water, lowering the amount of moisture in your container.

Pick Up Reusable Bread Bags

This is a more versatile and eco-friendly option to preserve your bread. There is a variety of these reusable bread bags in the market today that are machine washable. Another good thing about most of them is you can use them in a freezer.

Are there any other topics we can discuss? Here are some interesting links to check out How Long Do Bagels Last In The Fridge?, Does Cream Cheese Frosting Need To Be Refrigerated? and Do Baked Goods Need To Be Refrigerated?

Final Thoughts

Bread can be refrigerated, but it is not always the best option. This is mainly because the cold temperature will make your bread dry and tough. Using a freezer is the best option for keeping your bread moist and maintaining its flavor. I hope this article has helped you understand the best way to refrigerate bread.