The Ultimate Guide to Freezing and Using Bread: Sourdough, Brioche, Sweet Breads & More
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There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh-baked bread, but sometimes we end up with more than we can eat before it goes stale. The good news is freezing bread is an excellent way to extend its shelf life for a long time while preserving its flavor and texture. But can you freeze all types of bread? Let’s break down how different kinds of bread—sourdough, yeast breads like challah and brioche, cornbread, and sweet breads—hold up in the freezer and the best methods for storing them. Using these simple steps, you can have bread stored for fast meals and snacks.
The First Step: Ensure the Bread is Fully Cooked
Before freezing any bread, it’s crucial to make sure it is fully baked. Bread should reach an internal temperature of 200-205°F to ensure it is cooked all the way through. Undercooked bread can become dense and soggy when thawed, so use a kitchen thermometer to check before cooling and freezing.
Can You Freeze Sourdough Bread?
Yes! Sourdough bread freezes beautifully, thanks to its sturdy structure and lower moisture content. To freeze sourdough:
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Let the bread cool completely to avoid condensation and ice crystals forming.
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Wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer-safe bag.
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If you prefer, you can slice it before freezing so you can pull out only what you need.
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It stays fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer.
How to Thaw: Remove from the freezer and let it come to room temperature, still wrapped, for a few hours. To refresh the crust, pop it in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
Can You Freeze Yeast Breads?
Yeast-based breads, including sandwich loaves, dinner rolls, challah, and brioche freezes well when stored properly. This allows you to batch cook homemade brioche bread to have whenever you would like!
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Allow the bread to cool completely before freezing.
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Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place in a freezer bag.
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Slice loaves before freezing for convenience—this makes it easy to grab a piece and toast it straight from the freezer.
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Yeast breads last up to 3 months in the freezer.
How to Thaw: Let the bread sit at room temperature in its wrapping until fully thawed. If you want a fresh-baked feel, warm it in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes.
Can You Freeze Cornbread?
Cornbread can be frozen, but because of its crumbly nature, it requires gentle handling.
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Cool completely before wrapping tightly in cling film.
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Store in a freezer-safe bag or air-tight container.
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Cornbread can be frozen in slices or as a whole loaf.
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It stays fresh in the freezer for about 2 months.
How to Thaw: The best way to thaw is to let it thaw at room temperature for a few hours or reheat directly in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes.
Can You Freeze Sweet Breads?
Sweet breads, such as cinnamon rolls, banana bread, pumpkin bread, and other enriched dough, freeze very well.
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Wrap individual slices or the entire loaf tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of tin foil or a freezer bag.
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If the sweet bread has a glaze or icing, consider freezing it plain and adding the topping after thawing.
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Most sweet breads last 2-3 months in the freezer.
How to Thaw: Let sweet breads thaw at room temperature. For best results, warm slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in the oven at 300°F for a few minutes.
Want a delicious universal sweet bread recipe? Click Here
Freezing Dough Before Baking
Freezing bread dough is a great way to have fresh bread ready to bake at any time.
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Shape the dough as desired before the final rise.
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Place shaped dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid.
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Transfer the frozen dough to an air-tight container or freezer bag.
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Dough can be frozen for up to 3 months.
How to Bake from Frozen:
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Remove the dough from the freezer and let it thaw in a warm place until it has doubled in size (this may take a few hours).
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Bake as usual, adjusting bake time if necessary.
Par-Baking Bread for Freezing
Par-baking is an excellent method for having nearly finished bread that can be quickly baked to completion when needed.
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Bake bread at a reduced temperature (and about 75% of the normal bake time) until it is just set but not fully browned.
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Let it cool completely before wrapping in plastic wrap and placing it in an airtight container.
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When ready to finish baking, preheat the oven and bake the bread at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked.
How to Use Frozen Bread
Frozen bread can be just as delicious when reheated, maintaining its tender crumb. Here are some great ways to use frozen bread:
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French Toast: Frozen bread, especially brioche or challah, makes excellent French toast. Simply slice and dip in a custard mixture before cooking.
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Bread Pudding: Slightly stale thawed bread works well in bread puddings, as it absorbs the custard mixture beautifully.
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Grilled Cheese & Sandwiches: Toasted frozen slices make crispy, delicious grilled cheese sandwiches.
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Breadcrumbs & Croutons: Stale or thawed buttery bread can be turned into homemade breadcrumbs or toasted into croutons for soups and salads.
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Garlic Bread: Frozen bread slices can be spread with butter and garlic, then baked until golden brown.
How to Thaw Frozen Baked Goods
Thawing frozen baked goods properly ensures they retain their texture and flavor. Here are the best methods:
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Room Temperature: For most breads and baked goods, simply leaving them in their wrapping at room temperature for a few hours allows for even thawing without drying out.
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Oven Reheating: To restore the freshness of frozen bread, preheat the oven to 300-350°F and warm the loaf for 10-15 minutes. For rolls or smaller pieces, 5-10 minutes is usually sufficient.
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Microwave Method: If you need to thaw bread quickly, wrap a slice in a damp paper towel and microwave on low power for 10-15 seconds. This works well for softer breads like sandwich loaves and sweet breads.
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Toaster or Skillet: For sliced bread, toast straight from frozen in a toaster or warm in a dry skillet for a crispy finish.
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Avoid Excess Moisture: Always thaw bread in its wrapping first to prevent condensation, which can make the bread soggy.
Best Tips for Freezing Bread Successfully
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Use double wrapping: A combination of plastic wrap and a freezer bag or foil prevents freezer burn.
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Label and date: Bread can last for months in the freezer, but it’s best to consume it within the suggested timeframes for optimal freshness.
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Freeze in portions: If you only eat a slice or two at a time, freezing in individual portions can help prevent waste.
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Revive bread before serving: A quick warm-up in the oven restores the freshness of frozen bread.
For any home baker, freezing bread is a good idea to extend its shelf life while maintaining freshness. Whether you’re storing homemade bread or a store-bought brioche, the right freezing and thawing techniques ensure a delicious result every time. If this is your first time freezing bread, start with regular bread and experiment with freezing methods to see what works best for your needs. With a little preparation, you can always have fresh-tasting bread ready to enjoy!
