Tips for Freezing Bread

The arousing aroma of freshly baked bread is incomparable to none. The softness, the moistness and the heavenly taste takes one to cloud nine. And when you have a platter to choose from and satiate your taste buds, breads make one of the most gorgeous and lip-smacking snacks or accompaniments. However, when you have some surprise guests at your home and they desire to dig into your handmade breads, preparing one instantly can be a daunting task. But, if you have stored a loaf of bread in the freezer, your worries can be eased by thawing the bread and re-heating it until fresh and flavorful. This can be achieved by freezing bread appropriately and use them whenever need may arise. Given here are some tips regarding freezing bread. These tips will make you aware what to keep in mind while stocking bread, rolls, and muffins in the freezer.

How to Deep Freeze Bread

Place your sliced or un-sliced bread in a plastic bag. Do press out the excess air before that. If you wish to store for a longer time, cover the plastic bag with aluminum foil. The air gradually migrates through the walls of a plastic bag; hence, covering it with aluminum foil is essential. Only plastic will work for just a month or two. When kept in the foil or freezer wrap, the bread can be kept intact for three to four months and even after that time, the bread will maintain its quality. Keep records of the dates when you keep your breads into the freezer.

Tips for Freezing Bread

Don’t refrigerate bread. The bread will stale in a refrigerator faster than the normal temperature.
Never ice, frost or glaze bread in case you are planning to freeze the bread.
Keep fresh loaves in the freezer. Keep the bread in freezer as soon as it is completely cooled. It will taste as if it has just come out from the oven.
Put the new loaves behind the loaves already in the freezer. It will be helpful while rotating stocks.
Frozen bread can be reheated and recharged in the oven.
You could remove the bread from the freezer and allow it to thaw on the counter. However, use it within a day as you would do with fresh bread.
If you have just baked your own bread or purchased it warm, cool it before freezing to avoid soggy bread or mold.
While purchasing bread or bread dough for freezing, check the date on the packaging to ensure it is fresh.
Label the bread with the date before putting it in the freezer.
If you are unable to complete a loaf of bread at a single go, it is best to slice the bread before sticking it into the freezer, so that you can pull out only enough slices when you need.
For thawing your frozen bread, take it out of the freezer and let it come to room temperature. This would take about two to three hours.
When completely defrosted, the bread can be served at room temperature. Alternatively, you can wrap in the foil and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, to serve the bread warm.
To re-heat in the microwave oven, place unwrapped individual servings of bread on a napkin, microwave-safe plate or paper towel, and heat on HIGH for about 30 seconds for each serving.
Freeze bread for maximum up to one month, not more than that.

The next time, when guests drop in uninvited, surprise them at a moment’s notice by presenting a palette of freshly baked goodies, which were actually put into the freezer days back. Good luck and happy freezing!

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