Learn how to freeze bread so you can reduce food waste and have bread on hand at all times. Bread freezes so well! Once you start freezing bread, you'll be doing it with lots of baked goods.
Freezing bread is a game-changer. Whether you're a baking enthusiast with too many loaves on your hands or someone who loves having bread on hand ready to go, freezing bread is so convenient. Whenever I bake more than 1 loaf at a time, like my Multigrain Bread, I like to put one in the freezer for later.
Freezing bread not only helps reduce food waste (which is my favorite part) but also ensures you have delicious, almost-fresh bread at your fingertips whenever you need it.
Jump to:
Why Freezing Bread Works So Well
Keep it fresh longer: Freezing an entire loaf of bread helps it stay fresh for months, letting you enjoy it at your convenience without worrying about it going stale.
Perfect for sliced bread: Freezing slices individually means you can grab just what you need, whether it’s one slice or several, and pop them right in the toaster straight from the freezer.
No waste: Freeze leftover bread from your baking spree or store-bought loaves to prevent them from going to waste. You can enjoy it whenever you need it. (Freeze all kinds of bread! Sweet breads are perfect for the freezer, like Cranberry Walnut Bread or even Pistachio Bread.)
Convenient & ready when you are: Always have your favorite bread on hand without having to make frequent trips to the bakery or grocery store. Just grab a slice (or a whole loaf) from the freezer when you need it.
Thaw or toast, your choice: Thaw bread at room temperature or pop slices straight into the toaster for a quick, crispy treat.
How to Freeze Bread
Let’s talk about the best ways to freeze bread so it stays fresh and full of flavor!
- Place the bread in the freezer while it is still fresh.
- If you know that you aren't likely to eat the entire loaf of bread in the next few days, place half of it in the freezer right away, whether you're bringing it from the store or baking it yourself.
- You can freeze a whole loaf of bread or freeze sliced bread.
- Store the bread in the original packaging or a freezer ziplock bag or vacuum seal it for longer storage.
- If you plan on eating the bread within a month, you can just keep it in a plastic bag, but if you want to store it longer than that, use a freezer ziplock bag or vacuum seal it.
- The bread will stay fresh for 1-3 months in a freezer ziplock bag or 6 months - 1 year if vacuum sealed.
How to Thaw Bread
Thawing a Whole Loaf of Bread
- Remove the bread from the freezer.
- Defrost at room temperature or in the refrigerator. I like to take the bread out of the package and wrap it in a clean kitchen towel. It will protect the bread from drying out AND absorb any condensation from the bread as it is thawing. If you leave it in the bag, the bread will sometimes get soggy from the condensation.
- Store bread that you thawed in the refrigerator.
Thawing Sliced Bread
I love the convenience of frozen sliced bread. You can take out just one slice of bread as needed or take out the whole loaf, depending on what you want that day. If you're just taking out a slice of bread, it thaws really quickly. If you want to thaw the whole loaf, do the same as above.
How To Freeze Bread Video
Reheating Frozen Bread
If you want warm bread, you can place it into the oven right out of the freezer, but it will take longer to reheat (obviously) but it may also reheat unevenly.
Reheating a Whole Loaf of Frozen Bread:
I recommend thawing it at least half way and then reheating.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the bread on a rack on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Reheat for 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of your bread.
Reheating Sliced Frozen Bread:
- This is the easiest for sure! Just pop the bread in a toaster or a toaster oven until heated through or toasted to your preference.
Best Bread Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze any type of bread?
Yep! You can freeze almost any type of bread, whether it’s homemade or store-bought. Just make sure it’s properly wrapped to prevent freezer burn.
It’s not recommended to freeze bread more than once, as the process can degrade the texture and flavor.
To get that crispy, crunchy texture, lightly spray the outside of the loaf with water, then bake it at 400°F (200°C) until it’s warmed through. The water helps bring back the crispiness, making your bread taste freshly baked. This method is especially great for whole loaves!
You can do both! Freezing slices makes it easy to grab just what you need, while freezing the whole loaf will keep it fresh the longest. Keep in mind that if you freeze a whole loaf, you'll need to thaw it first before slicing—it’s not easy to slice when frozen, but it will stay fresh longer in the freezer!
Leave a Reply