Learn how to freeze bread like a pro so your favorite loaves and rolls stay fresh and fluffy with zero freezer burn in sight.
If you love to bake, you know how much time and effort go into making bread from scratch. Unfortunately, most homemade bread only stays fresh for two or three days before it starts to dry out or grow mold. Instead of tossing out half-eaten loaves, try freezing bread. Learning how to freeze bread is the best way to extend its life and lock in the bread’s soft, pillowy texture. It’s also a smart strategy for reducing food waste and preparing for busy weeks, holidays or dinner parties.
When done right, frozen bread can stay fresh for months without sacrificing texture or flavor. Test Kitchen manager Catherine Ward shares her best tips on freezing and thawing bread so every slice tastes like it just came out of the oven. This method works on almost any type of bread, whether you scored a bakery deal on a few extra sourdough loaves or baked a big batch of buttery dinner rolls.
When to Freeze Bread
The key to freezing bread is to stash it in the freezer while it’s still fresh and at its best. “When bread is frozen the day it’s baked, it tastes same-day fresh when properly frozen and thawed,” says Catherine.
If your bread has already started to taste stale, freezing won’t work any miracles! Once thawed, it’ll still taste dry and past its prime. For the best results, freeze homemade bread recipes or store-bought bread as soon as possible. The fresher it is when it goes into the freezer, the better it’ll taste when you bring it back out.
If you’re unsure how quickly you’ll eat a loaf, try slicing it into smaller portions—like halves or thirds—so you can thaw what you need to avoid waste.
How to Freeze Bread
Step 1: Wrap the loaf
Tightly wrap the loaf of bread in a layer of storage wrap. Then, wrap it in a layer of aluminum foil or freezer paper. Double-wrapping helps lock in freshness and prevent freezer burn.
Editor’s Tip: Make sure your bread is completely cool before freezing it. Bread that’s still warm can release steam, which turns into ice crystals and accelerates freezer burn.
Step 2: Freeze the loaf
Freeze the bread for up to three months. Any longer, and it may get freezer burn.
Editor’s Tip: Before popping the bread into the freezer, make sure to add a label with the date. Dating each loaf helps you keep track of what to thaw and use first so you’ll always enjoy bread at its freshest. Following this first-in, first-out (FIFO) method is one of those freezer organization tips employed by restaurants and grocery stores that can easily be adapted to any home kitchen.
Can you freeze sliced bread?
You can freeze sliced bread, but Catherine advises against it for long-term storage. She notes that sliced bread dries out more quickly and is more prone to freezer burn. That said, freezing sliced bread for short periods isn’t a problem, so go for it if you plan to use it within a few weeks. Bundle a few slices together for easy-to-thaw portions, and use the double-wrap packaging method above.
How to Thaw Frozen Bread
When you’re ready to enjoy frozen bread, remove it from the freezer and thaw it at room temperature. Unwrap unsliced loaves and let them sit on the countertop for about two hours before serving. Sliced bread and rolls should be kept wrapped while they thaw, though. Unwrapping too early can cause them to dry out. Sliced bread should be ready to use after about an hour at room temperature, and dinner rolls and other homemade rolls usually only take about 30 minutes.
If you’re defrosting a crusty loaf like sourdough or baguette, Catherine has a clever trick for bringing the crispy crust back to life. She recommends running the thawed bread briefly under water (yes, really!), then placing it directly on a rack in a 350°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes. This crisps up the crust without drying out the inside.
How to Heat Frozen Bread Without Thawing
No time to thaw? No problem! Whether you’re reheating a whole loaf, a batch of rolls or just a few slices, you can reheat bread straight from the freezer. Preheat your oven to 325° and place the frozen bread on a baking sheet. To prevent the crust from getting too hard, wrap whole loaves and rolls in foil before reheating.
If you’re warming up one or two slices, skip the oven and pop them into the toaster. You may need to bump up the setting higher than usual, since the bread is starting ice cold, but it’s a quick, easy way to make toast for breakfast or sandwiches.
How long to heat frozen bread
- Sliced bread: 5 to 10 minutes, depending on thickness
- Dinner rolls: 10 minutes
- Small loaves: 20 minutes
- Large loaves: 40 minutes
How to Avoid Freezer Burn
To prevent freezer burn, allow homemade bread to cool completely before packaging it for the freezer. Then, use the double-wrap method to block out air and reduce the risk of ice crystals forming. “Space allows moisture to get in, which will allow frozen crystals to form and begin to dry out the bread,” says Catherine.
Even with proper packaging, freezer burn can still sneak in. A common culprit is freezing bread for too long, so try to use it within three months for the best taste and texture. The condition of your freezer matters, too. A packed freezer restricts air flow, while an empty one has to work harder to stay cold. Both can cause temperature fluctuations that lead to pesky freezer-burned food. Keep your freezer about three-quarters full to help maintain a steady temperature and keep everything tasting fresh.
If you do end up with freezer burn, don’t fret. Freezer-burned or slightly stale bread is perfect for French toast, homemade croutons and bread pudding recipes.
