Does Bread Last Longer In The Fridge? (and what to do instead)
For many households, bread is one of the food that is always included in their grocery lists.
We love including it in many meals. Whether it’s breakfast or a snack – a sandwich or toast is easy to prepare and is filling too!
Unfortunately, bread does not often last long. Commercial bread may expire within a week, while freshly baked bread is only great for around 3 days.
If you are looking for ways to save money and keep bread longer than usual, read on to know more!
Will putting bread in the fridge make it last longer?
Do you struggle consuming an entire loaf of bread and find it always turns mouldy before you even finish it?
Do you find yourself having to dispose of bread because it’s way over its “best before” date due to mould?
In this case, here’s a tip:
Keeping your bread in the fridge does help make it last longer.
If you’re tired of having to buy bread on your grocery trips, leaving it in the fridge will allow you to actually consume the entire thing before it gets mouldy or bad.
Unfortunately, there’s one setback: Your bread will go stale.
Did you know that bread will go stale if the moisture in it evaporates? When you’re placing it inside your fridge, the moisture from the bread will recrystallize at a much faster rate[1]. Hence, it’s no surprise that when you take a bite once it has been stored in the fridge, your bread won’t taste as fresh as it was before.
Tips to keep your bread from going mouldy
We’ve seen it happen many times – bread growing mould on counters is not really a pretty sight.
To avoid this from happening and wasting your time and money in having a grocery run for bread, here are some tips to extend its lifespan:
Store your bread in a paper bag
Mould growth happens faster in a humid environment. Therefore, if you place your bread in plastic where there’s no airflow, chances are it’ll grow mould at a quicker rate.
To avoid this, keep your bread in a paper bag or breathable fabric to keep it fresh for longer. For example, if you have a clean cotton fabric, using it to wrap your bread is so much better than using Ziploc bags.
Place your bread in a cool and dry spot in your kitchen
If you just want to keep your bread fresh without putting it in the fridge, you need to have a specific placement strategy to keep it moist.
To reduce mould growth, you have to find a spot which will not expose your baked goods to direct sunlight.
Also, the area where you keep the bread should be dry. Countertops that are placed in cool, dark, places are recommended, though a breadbox will also work.
- Double Bread Box:Large capacity to hold two loaves of bread as well as rolls, muffins and other baked goods. It can also store fruits, spices, cutlery and other kitchen utensils
- Practical Farmhouse Kitchen Organizer: Suitable for kitchens and dining rooms,Acrylic door makes it easy to view food storage and keep your physical items clean and fresh
Keep your bread in the freezer
Last but certainly not least, if you really want your bread to last you a long time, try putting it in your freezer. That’s right – freezer.
When your baked goods are stored in a place with low temperatures, the quality and texture will be preserved. Hence, the moisture of the bread will still be kept while preventing mould growth. This way, you’re killing two birds with one stone.
Placing your bread in the freezer allows it to be safe to eat, even after a couple of months! Just thaw the bread once you’re ready to eat it, or pop it in the toaster or oven and it’ll still taste the same.
Shop-bought bread should be kept in the freezer before its “best before” date. On the other hand, homemade bread should be placed immediately in the freezer after it cools.
Have tips to share to keep bread fresh?
There you have it! It’s absolutely okay to keep bread in your fridge to make it last for a longer period. If you even want it to last longer, tossing it into your freezer will certainly work wonders.
What are the things you do to keep your bread fresh? Don’t forget to share them below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Putting bread in the freezer will make it last longer compared to putting it in the fridge.
Absolutely, you can freeze your sliced bread to prevent it from being mouldy.
It’s best to store bread in a cool, dry, dark spot in your kitchen, such as your pantry.
You can defrost bread by putting it at room temperature for around 2 hours. You can also put it directly in the oven or toaster to save time.
Yes, but this is only recommended if you’re going to eat your bread within the next few hours. Plastic encourages mould growth in bread because of the humid temp and lack of airflow.
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