To make sure your fresh bread doesn’t go stale, you might want to skip straight to freezing it after you’ve eaten as much as you want while it’s fresh. Just wait 3-4 hours to let the bread cool down first. [2] X Research source If your baked bread goes stale, it doesn’t have to go to waste. Use the bread to make breadcrumbs or croutons. [3] X Research source
Some swear by leaving unsliced artisanal bread in the paper wrapper or even leaving it unwrapped on the counter with the cut side face-down. This retains the bread’s crispiness, but it may cause the bread to go stale faster. [5] X Research source
Just make sure you don’t overstuff the breadbox. Overfilling it raises the humidity level, which may cause your bread to get soggy. Don’t store your bread in a breadbox if you wrap it in a paper bag. This can lead to excess moisture, which damages the crust. Wrap it in aluminum foil instead.
Freeze store-bought and homemade bread in plastic freezer bags or heavy-duty foil, as lightweight household foil isn’t suitable for freezing. [10] X Research source Label and date it to prevent it from becoming a mystery cube. If it’s homemade or unsliced, consider slicing your bread before you freeze it. That way you won’t have to slice it while it’s frozen or thawed, which can be pretty difficult. [11] X Research source
Crisp your bread in the oven at 350 °F (177 °C) for 10 minutes.
Use a breadbox to cut back on plastic. These are ventilated storage containers that keep your bread cool and free of excess moisture. [14] X Research source While you’re camping, keep the bread out of direct sunlight. The heat (and moisture it brings along with it) can be a breeding ground for bacteria. [15] X Research source Bring pre-packaged bread to go camping if you don’t want to worry. Fresh-baked bread doesn’t keep as long as pre-packaged bread since it doesn’t have any preservatives. [16] X Research source
