Freezing bread is a great way to extend shelf life, especially of homemade bread. Most breads can be frozen for up to 6 months. Once it is thawed properly, it will taste as good as fresh bread.
Whether you buy bread at a great deal in the grocery stores or if you make bread at home and there is not enough consumption, then you may be worried about it getting mold and getting wasted. Freezing bread is a good savior and avoids food wastage.
Any type of bread can be frozen including rolls and buns. While freezing a loaf it is important to portion it into slices as it becomes easy to only take what you need when you want to use it.
How to freeze bread?
- Cooling - Let the homemade bread cool down completely before slicing the bread as it will prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Slicing - Freezing individual slices is more convenient than freezing the whole loaf as you can thaw only as many slices as you need.
- Storage - Store the slices in freezer safe containers or Ziplock bags. Remove as much air as possible from the Ziplock bags.
- Label - Put the date and also type of bread on the container as well as the Ziplock bags.
- Store-bought bread - For store bought bread you can freeze the loaf slices as is in the bag it comes in.
Bread slices to be frozen.
Place bread slices in ziplock bag, with date and type of bread.
Storage choices
There are a variety of options that can be used for storing bread.
- Ziplock bags: Simply place the bread in the ziplock bags and remove as much air as possible.
- Bread bags: Bread bags similar to store packaging are available and can be used for freezing bread slices.
- Silicone bags: Silicone bags are a great alternative to plastic bags. To freeze bread slices in a silicone bag, simply place the bread in the bag and seal it tightly.
- Parchment paper: Wrap the bread tightly in the paper and place it in a freezer bag or a freezer safe container.
- Cloth bags: Cloth bags can also be used to freeze bread. Simply place the bread in the bag and tie it shut. As they are not airtight, it is important to double bag the bread to prevent freezer burn.
- Freezer safe containers: Tupperware containers and Rubbermaid containers are a great way to freeze bread and they come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different types of bread. To freeze bread in a container, simply place the bread in the container and seal it tightly.
Bread slices in freezer safe container.
Frozen bread slices in freezer safe container.
How to unfreeze bread?
To thaw or unfreeze bread, remove as many slices as you need from the freezer. Allow it to thaw at room temperature for about 1-2 hours.
If you cannot wait that long and need to thaw the bread more quickly, you can place it in the toaster oven or the air fryer on the lowest setting for a few minutes. Once the bread is thawed, you can enjoy it plain, make a toast or grill it.
Frozen bread.
Frozen bread slices being thawed.
How long can you freeze bread?
Bread slices can be frozen for about 3-6 months.
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