Bread is among those food items that can be easily frozen. However, once you’ve thawed the bread that you’ve frozen, is there any way you can refreeze it? That’s the query that you’re going to ask right now: can you refreeze bread?
Yes, you can indeed refreeze bread and it’s completely safe. However, bread that is refrozen may taste old. If you need to freeze your loaf, it’s recommended to do so within 48 hours of using it.
In this definitive guide, I’ll discuss how to refreeze every type of bread. From gluten-free bread to hard-crusted bread, to whole wheat and Sourdough, I’ve got you covered in every way.
Bread Types
Here is an overview that includes the most well-known varieties of bread that you can freeze prior to making use of them. We’ll discuss the differences between the breads and the reasons why certain elements can affect their quality following refreezing and the process of rethawing.
The condition of your bread in the freezer is dependent on the bread type.
The most important aspect to take into consideration when freezing bread is whether it is made up of some of the ingredients listed below:
- Eggs
- Gluten
- Leavening agent
- Yeast
These ingredients can alter how the bread is made as well as the bread’s flavor when it’s thawed. Let’s take a look at our guide so that you can begin freezing your bread.
The Proper Guide to Freezing Bread
There are specific things to consider when refreezing bread based on how the bread was made originally and whether it was chopped or frozen as a whole and will be looked deeper into later within the post.
Here’s what you should do to store bread in the freezer:
Keep in a container that is airtight or a freezer bag
Bread that you bought from a store – you can store the bread inside the packaging you bought it in. However, it is better by using a good sealed freezer bag that has double seal.
Fresh bread loaf– you will need to move the bread into an air-tight bag or even a freezer.
You should mark the date when the bread was initially frozen.
Bread that is frozen should be consumed within one month of being frozen. This means you have to be aware of the date of initial freezing, and follow the same timeframe even after you have refreezed your bread.
The bread that you buy from the store will usually include the best-by-date listed on the bread clip that is attached to the exterior inside the container. If you store the bread in the freezer prior to the date of best-by you can store it frozen for up to 6 months after the stated date.
The basics are now clear about the steps to refreezing every type of bread. There’s more to learn but let’s dive into the various bread varieties and how refreezing them can impact the texture, taste and the quality of it.
Refreezing Bread—The Ultimate Guide
Whatever kind of bread you’re freezing; there are two universal rules to follow when refreezing bread, or any other food item for that matter.
Two universal rules for freezing bread
Refreeze in the first 48 hours after the time of thawing. This is because you are at risk of the bread becoming dry if it is left for more than 48 hours. In reality, bread could quickly go stale when kept in a closed container.
Refreeze only once. When you refreeze the bread several times, it’s likely to become less wholesome and flavorless, that will render it tasteless and stale. This rule applies to any type of food not just bread.
A tip for you: If you’ve heated your bread, you should make sure that it’s chilled before placing it in the freezer. You should avoid burning at all at cost. If you put warm bread in the freezer, the condensation will begin to freeze into ice crystals in the bread, which could alter the texture and taste.
The most important considerations before freezing bread to refreeze are:
If it is at room temperature before freezing.
You must remember the date it was first frozen.
You should also ensure that there aren’t any visible signs of mold on the bread prior to refreezing it.
Now that you know the two main rules for refreezing breads, we can look into the various kinds of bread and see if they can be frozen again.
Refreezing bread that contains eggs
Egg bread can be described as bread composed of eggs. It’s not all bread is made from eggs, and this is a key aspect to be aware of when you’re deciding whether to make your own bread.
Eggs are included in bread recipes to assist in the rise of the bread and also to soften the texture and decrease the crumbliness of bread.
What does this imply in relation to refreezing bread?
Egg bread could actually freeze better than bread that isn’t egg-free since the egg helps the bread to retain its moisture even after it’s been frozen. This means it’ll stay similar to its original texture and won’t be as bitter as bread made without eggs.
The bread varieties that are typically made using eggs comprise:
Brioche is a kind of French bread that is considered to be a type of pastry.
Challah is an ancient Jewish bread typically braided before being baked.
Refreezing bread that has gluten
Gluten-free bread is among the easiest to freeze varieties of bread because of the different types of flour that are that are used.
It’s generally denser than breads made from gluten-free flour, and it is possible to find gluten-free breads at the freezer section of the local supermarket.
The gluten-free bread is most convenient to refreeze.
In the ideal scenario, you’ll only freeze the quantity of gluten-free bread you eat in one sitting. However, in the event that you thaw more than a few pieces of bread that is gluten free, then you’re in the position of freezing it again.
Fortunately, since the majority of gluten-free bread is packaged in a frozen bag, it is possible to put the bread slices bread back into their original container and then place them into the freezer.
That’s it. There are no specific considerations need to be considered when refining gluten-free bread.
The one thing you’ll be able to remember is that gluten-free breads are recommended to be consumed within the first 1-3 months of the time it was frozen. This means that, even though you can freeze your bread at any time, it will require it to be consumed before the one month timeframe expires.
It doesn’t mean that it’s not possible to consume bread that has frozen for more than 3 months, but it is likely that you’ll notice the effects of freezing on your bread, which can adversely affect the quality and taste of the bread.
Refreezing Bread that has Yeast
Sourdough is a traditional bread made with yeast. The distinction between sourdough and other yeast breads is the fact that sourdough bread is made with a particular type of yeast which keeps growing depending on how you use it.
Can you refreeze bread that has been made with sourdough?
Well, it is not recommended. Why? The reason the sourdough bread won’t work in the freezer is due to the ratio of bread-to-crust. It doesn’t retain the same texture or crunch you usually find in sourdough bread or other breads made with yeast.
Refreezing bread without yeast or eggs
Quick bread is all breads that are leavened, without eggs or yeast and doesn’t require any the time to rise.
This allows bakers to rapidly assemble the dough for bread and then place it right in the bread maker or oven.
Quick bread types:
Cornbread is a traditional Native American cuisine; cornbread is any bread that has cornmeal in it.
Soda bread Soda bread Soda bread, also known in the form of Irish soda bread gets its name from sodium bicarbonate used to leaven the bread (instead of yeast).
The majority of quick breads can be frozen and freezing it again is the same so long as you allow enough time for your easy bread to cool down if you’ve warmed it up after freezing and put it into an airtight freezer bag.
Can you refreeze White as well as Whole wheat Bread?
Whole wheat and white bread are two of the most well-known sandwich breads. They are distinguished primarily by being white in that it has been stripped of the majority of the nutrients taken away and is a little lower in fiber.
It is similar to white rice and brown rice. The white shade of white bread is due to having bran, hull and bran removed from wheat grain.
Does this have any effect on the refreezing process? The white bread as well as whole wheat bread will both refreeze exactly the same way and maintain the same texture one would expect from rethawed bread after consumption.
Rye bread, on the contrary, is more dense and has a more distinct flavor over whole wheat and white bread, and the refreezing and rethawing process can affect the texture and taste of the bread more.
If you are refreezing rye bread, it is best wrapping it with aluminum foil prior to placing it in an air-tight freezer bag. Rye bread can stay when stored in the freezer for 3 months or more provided it is properly stored.
Are You Able to Freeze Store-bought bread as well as Homemade Bread?
As we mentioned that bread from the store is sold in a bag which can be put straight in the freezer. It also has a best-by-date that is helpful in determining when it is time to take the bread in.
Bread that you buy from a store can be kept in the freezer up to 6 months after the date of its expiration However, it’s recommended to consume the product within the first 1-3 months to ensure maximum freshness and flavor.
Homemade bread, on contrary is more delicate. This is due to the fact that homemade bread isn’t infused with preservatives that help keep bread bought from stores fresh, which means you need be extra cautious when making sure to keep your homemade bread in a safe place.
You’ll need to wrap bread that you have made in aluminum foil (butcher paper also works) and put it into an airtight bag or container for freezing.
Make sure to allow your bread to completely cool before wrapping the bread in aluminum foil otherwise you’ll end up with freezer burn in the bread, which can alter the bread’s texture when you try to rethaw it.
Can you refreeze bread using Seeds?
Multigrain and seeded breads are exactly as they sound – bread made from different grain and seed.
It’s a chewier and complex texture than other breads, and is thought of as an extremely tasty bread that is ideal for dips in stews and soups that are more robust.
Are the seeds affecting the bread’s ability to be frozen? The good news is that most seeds keep extremely well in freezers, and they freeze as well bread form.
Remember that seeds are a source of natural oils, which have the potential of becoming rancid. Therefore, the principle of refreezing bread in 48 hours is crucial to keep in mind when bread is made up of seeds.
Can you refreeze Slices of Bread and a Whole Loaf of Bread?
The choice of whether you want to freeze pieces of bread, or an entire loaf will determine the best strategy for refreezing. Review these pros and cons listed below to figure out which one is the best one to meet your bread-consuming requirements.
Refreezing Sliced Bread
One of the reasons bread from the store is so convenient is not just because of its packaging and best-by label, but also because it comes cut and ready to use at any time you’d like.
Pros – You’re able refresh individual slices as you need to and it thaws fast.
Prone to freeze burn because more of the bread’s inside is exposed.
Refreezing Whole Loaves
If you purchase bread in a shop or bake it yourself it’s likely that you’ll be considering the storage of a whole loaf as it’s more likely to be cut into pieces before freezing it again.
Pros – It lasts more time in freezers than slices of bread because it is covered by the exterior (keep the fact in your mind that bread that is hard-crusted is not a good freezer).
Cons – You need to refreeze the entire loaf before you can cut it in half and eat it. This means you’ll need to be sure that you consume the whole loaf, since it is not possible to refreeze any food item (including bread) more than one time.
Related Questions
Which bread that refreezes the best?
Gluten-free bread freezes the best. It’s naturally dry and crumbly and therefore it is able to refreeze better than other breads to keep its freshness.
Gluten-free bread that can be placed on the counter can quickly turn dry and inedible.
The second place winner should be rye bread, as it’s dense, yet soft and can be frozen easily and. it can be thawed, without altering its texture.
When you shouldn’t refreeze bread
While the majority of bread will perform well after being frozen but there are certain circumstances that you should keep the bread from being frozen further. Bread is likely to degrade in quality after it has been frozen for more than one time therefore it’s a good idea to stay clear of it at times.
Here’s how to avoid freezing your bread:
Do not refreeze it more than once
You’re able to go about freezing your bread one time but you’re destroying the bread if you do it more than one time.
While it’s acceptable to eat after having it freezing for three consecutive multiple times (2x refreezes) The quality and texture that the bread has will be diminished drastically. When you finally get to eat it, you’ll likely find it to be very stale and will not be a pleasant taste at all.
It’s better to skip the time and effort of freezing your bread, and instead purchase fresh bread the next out, or create your own.
Beware of Freezing Sourdough
Because of the texture of the sourdough, either freezing or refreezing the dough won’t yield good results.
When you freeze and then thaw it, its crust turns soft instead of crisp/crunchy when the moisture reaches it.
If you’re looking to keep an excellent sourdough crust it’s not a good idea to store it in a freezer. If you’re okay with the crust getting soft you can put it in a freezer just like any other bread.
Do not refreeze raw bread dough
While it’s not baked bread, it is crucial to inform bakers in the home be aware that bread dough that’s been frozen, and refrozen cannot be of high-quality texture and taste.
The reason for this is that the dough will become dryer and less elastic. This could affect the rise, and can ruin the texture of the bread.
Refrozen dough isn’t a good idea and should be avoided.
Wrapping up
So, can you refreeze bread? I think I have already given the answer to that in this post. To conclude, the bread can be frozen twice, but there may be an impact on the taste and quality of bread.
Each bread type is unique. So, different kinds of bread can be modified in various ways. A slender French baguette can have more negative outcomes than something similar to an enhanced Challah will. The French baguette will become stale faster whereas the Challah loaf will retain moisture more effectively and therefore last longer, before becoming bad.
In either case, you are able to refreeze the bread, but only if you are sure your doing this right. Make sure that it’s properly wrapped and ensure it is cool before freezing. Make sure you avoid freezing burn when freezing your bread. Otherwise, it won’t taste as good as you would like it to be.
