Best Way to Store Bread in its Original Packaging (And More)

Our family LOVES fresh bread. Whether it’s for sandwiches, as a side for dinner, or toasted for breakfast. But sometimes I end up buying too much bread and can’t use it all up before it goes bad.

Instead of just letting it expire, I actually freeze leftover bread for later use! It’s super easy and there are a few different ways to freeze bread. Keep reading to see which storage method is best, what kind of bread you can freeze, and other helpful tips!

Note that I’m mostly talking about store-bought bread, but this would also work for homemade bread!

Why would you want to freeze bread?

Have you ever found loaves of bread in the clearance section of a grocery store? It’s hard to pass up a good deal like that!

I have a family of 3, so if I buy a lot of loaves, there’s no way we’ll be able to eat all of it. Freezing marked-down bread is a great way to save money AND reduce food waste.

Also, it’s nice to have bread in the freezer that you can easily pull out and use for sandwiches or as a side for dinner.

What kind of bread can you freeze?

Honestly, you can freeze all types of bread.

• White bread
• Whole wheat bread
• Sourdough bread
• Quick breads
• Hot dog buns
• Dinner rolls
• English muffins

The methods of freezing might be a little different, but you can easily freeze these for a later date!

Best packaging for freezing bread

A lot of times, I actually freeze the bread in its original packaging. But if I leave it in the freezer too long, it starts to get freezer burn. Ice crystals on soft bread is no good!

If you freeze bread in its original packaging, I recommend squeezing as much air as possible out of the bag. The excess cold air will quickly cause freezer burn.

One way to protect the bread is to use an extra layer of protection! Place the loaf of bread, still in the packaging, in a large freezer bag. This will help keep air from getting inside and make the bread last longer in the freezer.

How to freeze sandwich bread

Step 1: Prepare the bread

I actually recommend cutting the bread into individual slices before freezing, if it’s not pre-sliced. That way, you can just pull out the bread slices you need if you don’t want the entire loaf.

Step 2: Wrap the bread

This step depends on the type of bread you’re freezing.

Regular soft sandwich bread may get squished if you wrap each slice in plastic wrap. So I would put the whole loaf back in the original bag, then place in a gallon-sized freezer bag.

If you’re freezing a hard loaf, you can wrap the loaf or slices with plastic wrap. Then place the wrapped slices in a resealable bag. Wrapped bread can last a little longer in the freezer.

Step 3: Label the bag

With a permanent marker, write down the date you froze the bag, and the name of whatever you’re freezing. There’s nothing worse than pulling something out of the freezer and not knowing what it is!

Step 4: Freeze the bread

If you’ve put the bread in freezer bags, lay them gently on top of everything else in the freezer. Generally, the bread will freeze in 2-3 hours.

How long can you freeze bread?

For best results, use frozen bread within 3-6 months. It’s still safe to eat after that time. But the longer the bread stays in the freezer, the greater risk it has of getting freezer burn.

How to defrost

Remove a frozen slice, or whole loaf, from the freezer. If you froze a whole loaf right in the bread bag, you can place that right on the counter for it to come to room temperature.

If you just took out a slice or two, store that in an airtight container on the counter.

Use the bread immediately after it’s fully thawed, or keep it in a dry place for 2-3 days.

Final thoughts

Honestly, experiment with these methods and see what works best for you. Freezing bread can help you save money and reduce food waste, and it still tastes fresh after being defrosted!