How Long Does Bread Last? Storage Hacks and Recipes to Make Your Loaf Go Further

When there’s fresh bread in the house, fighting the urge to devour it all at once can be a real challenge. The indulgent aroma, the golden crunchy crust, and imagining the softness within is hard to resist. Whether you’ve got leftovers from a family lunch, or you simply just didn’t get time to indulge, it’s handy to know what you can do to make your bread last longer. 

So how can you make sure your tasty bread doesn’t go to waste?

If you’re wondering what to do with leftover bread rolls and loaves that may have lost their fresh-bread appeal, we’ve got the secrets to prolonging your leftover bread. Whether it’s tasty things to make with bread, or getting your bread storage game on track, you’ll make sure those loaves last. Let’s take a look.

How to store bread to keep it fresher for longer

How long bread lasts depends on where and how you store it. It’s best kept covered on your bench rather than in the fridge, as it tends to go stale much faster in a cold environment. 

If it’s a soft bread, pop it into a bread bag, plastic bag, or straight into your bread bin. Use a paper bag if it’s a crusty loaf or roll. Stored correctly, your bread will be at its most flavoursome and soft for around two to three days before starting to dry out and harden. If you’re not going to finish the loaf within three days, or have bought a few loaves to save for later, then freezing them is a great option. Then you can take what you need as you go, easy!

Is freezing fresh bread good?

Beautiful fluffy fresh bread is always best enjoyed on the day it was baked, but freezing it is a simple way to make it last longer. Freezing bread traps the moisture inside so that it doesn’t dry out like it would in the fridge or on the bench. So once you defrost it, it’ll still be nice and soft. You can freeze it whole or slice it first to make it even easier to organise your daily lunch or snack. 

How should I store fresh bread in the freezer?

Wrap your bread tightly in aluminium foil or plastic wrap, then place it into an airtight freezer bag – this will help prevent any changes to texture and taste from freezer burn or other foods it’s stored next to. All Bakers Delight bread is suitable to store in the freezer for up to four months.

What to do with bread crusts and leftover bread

Even if you only have a couple of crusts left over, they don’t have to end up in the compost! Here’s a few mouthwatering ideas of what to do with leftover bread crusts and bread slices:

A sweet twist on bread leftovers

So often when we think of bread we think of savoury snacks like sandwiches, but bread can be used to create some delicious sweet treats, too. Dipped in egg and sugar and sprinkled with spices, why not start your day with the sumptuous sophistication of French Toast? Or for a hearty dessert, bread and butter pudding is the ultimate comfort to end the day. Fancy a toastie with a twist? Fill it with sweet fillings like peanut butter and banana, or strawberry and Nutella.

Savoury additions to bread dishes to give it new life

Prefer savoury? Those leftover pieces of bread can transform dishes from ho-hum to yum-yum by layering extra texture and flavour. A simple salad, for instance, can be upgraded by adding the crunch of croutons, and a cheese board will be even more artisan with the addition of homemade breadsticks. Even breadcrumbs can be used as a delicious ingredient to make delicately seasoned and herbed stuffing to complement a roast chicken dinner. 

What savoury dishes can be made from bread?

The key to making the most of your leftover bread is to have a few yummy recipes on hand for inspiration. Here are some of our favourite recipes to use up your tasty bread:

Sourdough Turkey Stuffing

With tart green apples, juicy craisins and the nutty flavour of walnuts combined with zesty lemon rind, this is one of the most decadent stuffing recipes with sourdough bread you’ll see. With fluffy Sourdough Vienna, bacon and parsley, its festive flavours are truly mouthwatering.

Rosemary Sourdough Croutons Recipe

Elevate your croutons with the woody essence of rosemary, delicately drizzled in olive oil, and lavishly sprinkled with just the right amount of sea salt. Perfect for topping salads, adding to soups, or simply eating on their own.

Baguette Nachos Recipe

Crispy slices of baguette are the base of this twist on the classic nachos recipe. The crunch of golden toasted baguette contrasts deliciously with ooey gooey melted cheese and the earthiness of tomatoes and black beans. Topped with smooth rice avocado and dollops of sour cream, it’s a tex-mex sensation that will have you craving more.

Now you know the best way to store bread so it’s fresh for longer, you’re sure to get the most out of it. And even when it loses its freshness you can easily whip up a delicious bread-based recipe and make the most of it. And for your next loaf, your local Bakers Delight is ready with all your baked goods made with delicious real ingredients you can taste.