Is there a way to make bread last longer... ie keep it from getting stale so fast.?

Question

If you put it in the fridge it seems to get dried out faster, but if you leave it on the counter it gets moldy faster. Does anyone know any tips for preserving its freshness?

Answer 1

I buy a few loaves and stick a couple in the freezer, when the bread from the freezer has
thawed out it tastes fresher i think.
Or you could just freeze half a loaf till you
need it

Answer 2

It's true that bread gets dried out faster in the fridge. Notice the frost on the inside of the bag? That's because the air at lower temperatures can't hold as much moisture. Many people think that it stays fresher in the freezer, but of course, that would be even worse, but lower temperatures do slow mold formation and growth so the bread will be without all the pretty colors if it's refrigerated or frozen, but dry. One thing I have found is that if I keep it in the fridge (ya, like I ever have the room) and then take a couple slices out, if I put it in the microwave VERY briefly, like 5-10 seconds, the slight increase in temp. makes it a bit softer. If it's micro'ed very long at all, though, it gets very hard, too hard to eat, so be careful. Other than that, I suggest butter, mayo, soaked in beaten eggs and fried or whatever you might like to do to dry bread to hide its dryness. The other thing, and I do this, because I have lots of free time, is when the bread gets dry, I bake it in the oven until it's very dry and grate it or put it in my electric chopper until it's just dried crumbs, mix with seasoning salt, and use that to coat chicken and pork instead of buying shake-n-bake, so the bread doesn't just go to waste, and it's cheaper than shake-n-bake. That's all I've got, good question. Thanks, -Rick

Answer 3

I have a Tupperware container shaped like a loaf of bread. We go through a loaf every 2 days or less though so it rarely gets moldy.

I no longer eat bread because it uses dairy and egg ingredients, but I eat pitas that are vegan-friendly and I have this same problem - they get moldy so fast. Try controlling the humidity in your house by using a dehumidifier in the basement or another room. Run your bathroom fans once in awhile for about an hour at a stretch. I also keep the pitas in their bag, in a sealed Tupperware container, and in the fridge and that just about doubles their lifespan.

Answer 4

Make Bread Last Longer

Answer 5

Try putting your baked bread in the freezer Even unbaked bread dough can be frozen. Here are some guidelines on freezing :

Baked Goods - In general, the lower the moisture level in your baked goods, the more successfully they will freeze. Well wrapped bread will keep for about five months in a freezer. You can also freeze bread dough for a month or two before baking (same goes for pizza or other yeast doughs). If you know you are making yeast dough to freeze, add a little extra yeast to your recipe.

Unbaked pie crusts freeze well as do unbaked fruit and meat filled pies (add a little extra thickening agent to fruit pies destined for the freezer), so you might want to stock up and get ahead when making these. Unfrosted cakes will keep for months (again well wrapped is the key). You can freeze a butter cream frosted cake as well, although other types of icing tend to separate (especially those made with egg whites and/or brown sugar).

In all cases, cool baked goods completely before freezing or they will end up soggy.
...JJ

Answer 6

Bread Care

Keeping Your Bread Fresh

Follow these simple steps to keep your bread fresh and tasty.

If unsliced, store bread at room temperature for the freshest, best-tasting product.

What you can expect: Our bread should keep for a week at room temperature.

The best place to store bread is in a dark, dry place such as a breadbox or cupboard. Clay breadboxes are particularly good. A good alternative is a closed paper bag or sealed plastic bag.

Bread that will not be consumed within a week should be stored in the freezer. Avoid the refrigerator – refrigeration may retard the molding process, but it increases the staling process – freezing retards both.

If you see any mold on a loaf of bread, throw the whole loaf away – don’t try to cut around the mold.



Refreshing Bread

For soft-crust breads, wrap the loaf in foil and bake in a preheated oven for 8 – 12 minutes at 350 degrees.

For artisan breads, sprinkle or mist slightly with water and place in a preheated oven for 6 – 8 minutes at 400 degrees.

Toasting is another ideal way to refresh the flavor of both soft crust and artisan breads.



Freezing Bread

Wrap room-temperature bread in aluminum foil and place in a freezer-safe plastic bag, squeezing out as much air as possible. Bread packaged in this manner can be successfully frozen for 2 months without sacrificing flavor or texture.

If you know upon purchase that the bread will be frozen, ask for an extra bag at time of purchase and double bag for freezing.

Thaw in the unopened plastic bag at room temperature.

Follow our instructions for refreshing bread if needed.

Answer 7

Freeze some of it. Put some of it in the refrigerator and leave some on the counter. The bread in the fridg can be put in the micro for a couple seconds and it turns out soft and scrumptious.'

Answer 8

Well if you're talking about bread buns or a stick of bread, I keep it in a tightly closed plastic bag. It's still ok the next day. If you want to preserve it for longer, putting it in the freezer works. Then you simply crisp it up by putting it in the oven for a couple of minutes. It'll come out as if freshly baked! try it!

Answer 9

The best for maintaining freshness is placing the bread in the freezer and then taking it out say the night before you want to use it or a couple of hours before.

Answer 10

Bread boxes work wonders. As a matter of fact if I leave a loaf in it for a long time, it would still get moldy but stay soft. Try one, they're great.