Can You Freeze Bread to Keep It Fresh?

We've all had that good loaf of bread go bad—stale, soggy, or even moldy. And that's when you start to wonder if there's a better way to preserve that fresh, crusty goodness.

Fortunately, you don't have to overload on carbs to keep your bread from going stale. Learn the secrets of storing your bread in the freezer and thawing and refreshing it for a perfectly crusty loaf when you're ready to indulge again.

Can You Freeze Bread?

Yes! For bread that you won't be able to finish within a few days, you should definitely store it in the freezer. (While some people do store bread in the refrigerator proper, that can actually make your bread become stale faster.) For the best way to freeze bread (and prevent freezer burn), follow our tips below.

Can You Freeze Bread Dough?

Yes, you can freeze unbaked bread dough (so go ahead and double your favorite bread recipe, and reserve one loaf for a later date). You will need to add double the amount of yeast to your bread recipe, as some won't survive the freeze-and-thaw cycle. Adding extra yeast ensures you have enough available to help lift your dough through the second rise and baking process.

If you do want to freeze bread dough, you shouldn't just mix up the dough and pop it in the fridge. For yeast-based bread doughs, you'll want to let the dough do its first rise and shape it into its final shape before popping it in the freezer. (That way, you can do the final rise after it's been thawed to help reawaken the yeast.)

How to Freeze Bread and Bread Dough Without Getting Freezer Burn

The best way to store frozen bread and frozen bread dough is similar—wrap each one tightly in several layers of plastic wrap to avoid trapping air close to the bread surface, then wrap it again in a layer of aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe plastic zip-close freezer bag. The only minor difference between the two is that you'll want to apply a little oil to the plastic wrap before wrapping the bread dough, so your dough doesn't stick to the wrap once you unwrap it to bake.

If you're freezing a sandwich bread dough, you can put it in the freezer in the loaf pan, then remove it from the loaf pan once it's fully frozen. Wrap it carefully in plastic wrap and foil to protect it.

Make sure the dough or bread is placed carefully at the top of the freezer until it's frozen solid, so that it doesn't end up getting squished under a frozen roast.

How Long Can You Keep Bread in the Freezer?

The USDA recommends enjoying your frozen bread within three months for the best freshness. The bread likely won't go "bad" after that or be unsafe to eat, but the quality will decline the longer it's stored in the refrigerator.

As for bread dough, it's best to use it within a few weeks of freezing, as the longer it stays in your freezer, the harder it may be to get that second rise as the yeast dies off.

How to Thaw Frozen Bread or Bread Dough

Frozen bread can be thawed on the counter in less than an hour—then you can give it a quick hit of heat in a 350-degree oven for 10 minutes to freshen it up. If you want to thaw just a few slices of bread really fast, King Arthur recommends wrapping the bread in a damp paper towel and microwaving it for 30 to 45 seconds.

To properly thaw frozen bread dough, you'll need to think a little bit ahead. Place the frozen bread dough in the refrigerator overnight. After it's thawed, unwrap the dough and place it in a greased baking pan for its second rise on the counter. Then bake as directed for fresh-baked bread.