How to Store Homemade Bread | Short and Long Term

If you are like me and tend to end up with a little more bread than you and your family can eat before it goes stale, then you have probably looked for options of how to store your homemade bread.

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Making your own bread is such a wonderful way to add a healthy option to store-bought bread that is full of preservatives and unnecessary ingredients.

Knowing the best option for storing your homemade bread and keeping it fresh is important.

I make several loaves of bread a week on one day for the days ahead and need a way to store it to keep it fresh all week long.

For years, I struggled with how to store the bread for freshness. Despite by best efforts, the bread would often go stale or or have mold growth.

Finally, I found a way to store my bread that actually works perfectly. It’s not ground breaking or anything, but, for me it made a huge difference in how we enjoy make ahead bread.

One thing to keep in mind is that homemade bread doesn’t have any preservatives. This will significantly decrease the shelf life of the bread and how long it will stay fresh.

Baking a beautiful loaf of bread takes some time and effort. Having that bread go stale or grow mold is definitely not something you want to happen!

Option 1 Storing on the counter

If you know you will be eating your bread within a week, the best method is to allow the bread to cool completely, slice it, and store it in a plastic bread bag with a clip.

I do not advise wrapping your bread in plastic wrap as it is harder to keep the air out

Make sure that most of the air is out of the bag when you clip it and do not store in a very humid area of your kitchen.

For the plastic bread bags I use, Click here Using a plastic bag is a great way to store bread if they are heavy duty and closed properly.

Contrary to what may seem like a good idea, do not store your bread in the fridge. It will dry out much more quickly than one stored at room temperature.

Sourdough bread will last a bit longer than yeasted bread due to the fermentation process being much longer.

This is one of my favorite ways for storing sandwich loaves.

Storage bag options

Using a linen bread bag is a great option for a reusable storage bag. Click here for an option Linen bags or cloth bags are a great option as they are washable and a one time purchase.

You can also wrap your bread in beeswax wraps. Here is great option.

Option 2 Storing in the Freezer

For this method, you can store your bread for a very long time. I like to make more than one loaf and store one on the counter and one in the freezer.

The best part with this method is that it thaws very quickly and tastes just like fresh bread after thawing.

To properly freeze your homemade bread you need to make sure the bread is completely cooled.

Slice the bread and place in a bread bag with a clip making sure the air is mostly out.

You can also place the loaf in a freezer bag to keep it from freezer burn if storing longer than a week or 2. I use the plastic bread bags listed above and haven’t had any problems with freezer burn.

Place in the freezer for up to 3 months! That makes this a great method for making several loaves at a time and storing for later.

Baking bread at home is a wonderful endeavor that I have enjoyed for many years. Making sure that bread is fresh for as long as we need it is very important.

Option 3 Store on a Cutting Board

Another option is the slice your bread as you need it and store the whole loaf cut side down on a cutting board.

I do this sometimes and find it to be the best option if you are going to be eating the loaf in a couple of days.

This is your best bet for loaves with a crispy crust like a crusty loaf or sourdough boule as it will retain the crust better than storing in a bag.

I like to drape a tea towel over the loaf as it is stored on the cutting board.

Option 4 Use a Bread Box

Using bread boxes is another wonderful option. Bread boxes can be beautiful as well. This Bread Box is a beautiful option!

I find this to be the best way to store long loaves like baguettes and french loaves.

Put them in a brown paper bag and store in the bread box to keep them fresh.

Stale Bread

If your bread does go stale, consider making bread crumbs or croutons.

To make croutons: Cut the bread into 1 inch cubes, drizzle with olive oil and salt and bake at 325 degree F until dried and crispy.

For breadcrumbs: Grind the croutons in a food processor until desire consistency is reached.

Consider making French Toast

In a large bowl, add 3 eggs, a dash of salt, and 1 tsp of cinnamon.

Dip the stale bread in the egg mixture and fry in a cast iron skillet until golden on both sides.

Try my Sourdough Multigrain Bread