Freezing bread. A common mistake many make
Bread is a product that is relatively easy to freeze, so there is no need to worry if you end up buying too much. Package it appropriately and store it in your freezer. However, it is essential to avoid making a common mistake during this process to prevent the wastage of food.
4:21 PM EST, November 20, 2023
The majority of us have probably bought too much bread at some point in our lives. Sometimes, it molds or goes stale before we can finish it. Thankfully, there's an easy solution to avoid such situations. Leftovers from the bread loaf can be frozen. This is the easiest way to maintain the quality of the product and reduce food waste.
Proper Way to Freeze Bread
Freezing bread may seem like a simple task, but it turns out that many of us make a fundamental mistake in this process. When bread is defrosted incorrectly, it may not be perfectly soft but instead turn into a crisp. So, how should this be done to prevent wastage?
The most efficient way is to freeze the bread while it's still fresh. However, the bread should not be hot when you do so. Packaging it in plastic food storage bags is recommended to prevent it from drying out. If you're freezing sliced bread, it is advisable to separate each slice in the bag to stop them from sticking together.
Some use reusable plastic containers, but be aware that this method can make the bread lose some flavor, resulting in defrosted bread that doesn't taste fresh. Avoid freezing the bread in a foil bag; the taste suffers from growth-accumulated air after being taken out of the freezer.
How to Revive a Bread's Crispy Crust?
If you have frozen sliced bread, restoring the crispy crust, unfortunately, may not be possible. However, if you've frozen an entire loaf, a simple trick can bring that crisp texture back.
Preheat your oven to 350-390 degrees Fahrenheit using top and bottom heating. Put a heat-resistant dish, without a lid, containing the defrosted bread in the oven. After a few minutes, your bread will be ready - you can confirm by checking the crust's hardness with a fork.
