How Long Does Bread Last In The Fridge or Freezer? How to Store

Sarah Owens

By Sarah Owens

Last updated:

Bread has always been meant to be a same-day staple food, so most people do not think much about ways to store it. And even if they do, the popular assumption is that one can simply put the bread into a fridge like any other common dish.

Is that true, though? BK17 Bakery guide will help bread lovers address this question by delving into how long bread can stay in the fridge.

How Long Is Bread Good In The Fridge? 

Homemade bread lasts around 5-8 days in the fridges, while their store-bought counterparts survive 7-12 days. With proper and advanced storage methods, you might even hit 2 weeks. Whether the bread tastes good by that time is a different story.

At normal room temperature, homemade bread can last 4 days, and store-bought ones survive up to a week. Putting them in the refrigerator extends the periods to 5 days for both types of bread – meaning homemade ones stay good for 9 days and store-bought ones last 12 days.

Remember that proper storage is the decisive key to success. Without the correct methods to protect their qualities, your bread will still dry out or lose all original flavors – even before the 12-day period ends. 

How to Store Fresh Baked Bread In The Fridge? 

Both homemade and store-bought bread should be stored in a dry, clean drawer at lower temperatures than the rest of the fridge. Homemade bread lasts longer in special bread bags, while store-purchased ones are fine in manufacturer-distributed plastic packages. 

If you intend to keep both bread types for long periods, divide them into slices and put each slice inside individual wrappings. 

For Homemade Bread

Once done baking, homemade bread should be left completely cooled down on wire racks, which keeps its bottoms from becoming soggy. And instead of using plastic or paper bags, consider purchasing reusable bread brags to wick off moisture.

Homemade Bread in reusable bread brags

I often make a large batch of bread to use in a week, and one of my biggest lessons is never put them in a bag and tie it up without drawing the air out. Just the following day, I could see the water droplets inside.

For Store-Purchased or Bakery Bread

Provided no molds infiltrate, store-purchased bread can last an entire week without issues. And unlike homemade bread, you do not have to find specialized bags or boxes for storage; just keeping the entire loaf in its original plastic wraps is enough.

Store-Purchased or Bakery Bread

For Both Types of Bread Dough

Remember these tips to ensure no mishaps occur:

  • Find a fridge part where your loaf of bread can stay undisturbed and dry – preferably at a lower temp than the remainder of your cabinet. 

Should bread storage become your regular habit, it would be best to dedicate only one specific rack or drawer to that purpose. Give the drawer a label to keep other family members from confusion.

  • Finish the entire bread as soon as possible; whenever you take the bread out of the fridge without finishing it, the bread will take longer and longer to return to normal conditions after refrigeration. Leaving it there for too long will not do its flavor any good.
Bread Dough

To tackle this issue, I wrap and seal individual bread slices in the refrigerator for easy and quick access. Sure, that might sound quite time-consuming at first – but in the long run, all these efforts are totally worth it. After all, the risks of letting the entire bread go stale are much lower! 

How to Restore Bread After Taking It Out Of The Fridge? 

Let it thaw on its own at room temperature. After a few hours, you have three choices: toss it in the oven for a few more minutes, eat the bread immediately, or use it for other cooking recipes. 

Restore Bread After Taking Out The Fridge

After taking the bread out and completely unwrapping them, you can leave the loaves at room temperature for a few hours. The starch crystals will slowly thaw out, restoring some of the bread’s original softness. 

Some readers asked me, “Why the wait? Why not just immediately toss the bread into a microwave and press Defrost?” While this idea sounds tempting, it does not work as well as it sounds; on the contrary, the starch and the water might heat too fast, sogging the bread from the inside and eventually making it inedible.

After the bread has finished thawing on its own, you might either enjoy these slices immediately or put it in the oven for a few more minutes; with the latter, the slight staleness will fade to leave room for a tangier, crispier crunch.

My all-time favorite is to use these bread loaves to make cheese sandwiches or french toast; the fat and heat from getting mixed with other recipe ingredients will revive your refrigerated bread in a blink. Nobody will recognize the slight hardening that occurred during storage! 

Does Refrigerating Bread Prevent Mold? 

Yes, guaranteed proper storage methods and areas (obviously). All possible mold growth will be frozen under cold temperature – but only when put in a clean, cool, and dry compartment in the refrigerator. If you let excessive moisture and humidity infiltrate, all your efforts will go down the drain. 

Can I Eat Bread That Has Been In The Fridge For A Week? 

Yes. As mentioned, bread (both store-bought and homemade) can last from 9 to 12 days, meaning there are still a couple of days left if you take it out after a week.

However, improper storage that fails to abide by my guide above will destroy the bread’s quality sooner than expected. To confirm whether your bread loaves are still edible, check out for signals of discolorations or bad smells. 

Is It Better To Freeze or Refrigerate Bread? 

Frankly, freezing is much, much better than refrigeration. In airtight containers or sealed bags, your bread can last up to 5-6 months that way. The only slight drawback is that the bread texture might feel slightly soggy after defrosting, but most people do not mind that.

FAQs

Can Bread Products Still Have Signs of Mold In The Fridge?

Yes. The risk of moldy bread is still on the horizon if it is exposed to moisture content or not properly stored.

Mold bread

How Do You Know If Frozen Bread Is Still Good? 

No strange smells, molds, or visible black and white spots on the sourdough bread mean it is still of good quality.

Conclusion

Bread can last up to 2 weeks in the fridge, as long as you keep in mind my storage advice. If there is any signal of your bread going bad – even if it seems barely noticeable – do not hesitate to throw the stale bread away.

See more: Does buttercream frosting need to be refrigerated?


Share on:

Sarah Owens
Sarah Owens
Baker & Owner At BK17 Bakery

Sarah Owens is a professional baker with an insatiable curiosity for global food traditions. As the owner of BK17 Bakery, an artisan microbakery specializing in sourdough that serves both NYC and Louisville, Sarah believes strongly in the power of baking to foster community, social change, and stone milling can bring good bread back to the table.


Leave a Comment