4 Tips to keep your homemade bread fresh

Since homemade bread doesn’t stay fresh as long as store-bought bread does, the key to keeping that loaf as fresh as possible is proper storage.

You will need to take extra care when storing it to stave off staleness for as long as possible.

4 Tips to keep your homemade bread fresh:

1. Wrap it in aluminium foil

This works for a good 2/3 days. Using foil is a common way to preserve bread. Carefully wrap every part of the bread to protect it from direct air, which can cause staleness.

After wrapping it up place your bread in a paper bag or bread box for short-term storage. It will trap the bread’s natural moisture to keep it from drying out.

2. Wrap it in plastic wrap

Make sure to store your bread in plastic. Wrapping prevents the bread from breathing, and traps in moisture. If you need to protect a few pieces of bread in the short term, simply wrap them in a couple of sheets of plastic wrap to keep air out. If you will be freezing the bread, wrap it in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminium foil to prevent freezer burn.

3. Use a bread bag

A bread bag is a paper, or cloth bag used to display and maintain the freshness of your bread. Bread bags can keep loaves fresh for the first couple of days after baking.

4. Freeze the bread

If you have more bread than you can consume within 2-3 days, the best way to store it is by freezing. Freezing your bread stops the starch in the bread from recrystallizing and getting stale.

Use freezer bags when freezing your bread as they provide more protection against the cold than a normal resealable plastic bag. These bags are thicker, which prevents freezer burn and protects frozen food adequately. You should slice the bread before you freeze it.

While there are many options for storing homemade beautiful loaves these options are more suitable.

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The best breakfast foods to start your day right

Feature Image: Pexels

Originally published in Garden&Home magazine.