Freezing bread

[NYCDiane]

So I want to buy extra loaves of bread so we don't constantly run out. I don't want to keep them in the fridge because they will go past the freshness date.

I remember my mother used to freeze loaves of bread when I was young and I did the same thing 30+ years ago when I had my first apartment. For the life of me, I can't remember how to defrost it!!!!!! Do you just take it out the night before? Or do you put it in the fridge? Once it's defrosted (and presumably past the freshness date), do you have to use it quickly so it doesn't get hard or tasteless? I only use 100% Whole Wheat bread if that makes a difference. Oh, and does the bread get "wet" from being frozen and then thawed out?

 

[justlook3]

I just freeze them in their original packaging and then defrost it on the counter. Usually overnight. I don't have much problem with them getting hard and tasteless if I don't eat it quickly. I mean I wouldn't leave it there for 2 weeks. But there's just the two of us and husband rarely eats sandwich bread (toast occasionally) so I can only eat it so fast.
And it never seems wet or frost bitten at all (maybe if you left it in there for a really long time?) I use whole grain breads and it's fine.

 

[TravelMommy]

I usually have 3 or 4 loaves in there all the time. I usually do exactly what above poster does and leave out overnight. The bread is always fresh and that way I can always have some on hand. You might want to take out a few slices at a time if you don't use it that often.

 

[maplevale]

I get our bread at Costco and I only shop every 2 weeks or once a month. I get the bags of 3 loaves and always just throw it in the freezer - it is kind of double bagged (3 individual loaves in a larger bag) and have no issues.

I can even separate 1-2 slices to throw in the toaster without defrosting a loaf.

I buy bagels and freeze them when on sale and the Costco Chiabatta buns freeze AWESOME as well!

 

[scard192]

I double bag my bread when I freeze it; usually use the plastic bag from the grocery store for the 2nd bag. Seems to work better for me.

 

[Sadie22]

I double bag my bread when I freeze it; usually use the plastic bag from the grocery store for the 2nd bag. Seems to work better for me.

We do this and then defrost in the refrigerator. In the past I have purchased a dozen loaves at a time at the bakery outlet store and frozen them with no problems.

I also free homemade corn bread, quick breads, and muffins for future use.

 

[wendow]

We freeze all kinds of bread. My freezer is full of it. Just take out of the freezer and by the next morning, it will be thawed. I thaw mine on the counter and I freeze in the original packaging or if I bake it, I wrap in foil and then put in a large Ziploc. We also shop Costco and buy tons at a time. I have a system where I rotate it. It's never in the freezer more than a month.

 

[NYCDiane]

Thanks for all the great answers!!!!

 

[mdrob214]

You can also take out just what you need each day. If making for lunch, then go ahead and make on frozen bread. It'll be fine by lunchtime if you make it in the morning. You can also toast it when frozen. We do this in summer because we don't eat much bread and I hate throwing away most of a loaf.

 

[pixiewings71]

I have 4 loaves in the freezer right now. I usually leave them in the Target plastic bags that we bring them home in to freeze them. Two loaves per bag, seems to work fine. To defrost we just put it on the counter overnight. Or if we don't realize it needed to be thawed in advance we can take out a few slices and toast them, or if you breathe on them they will thaw. lol

 

[Egdisney]

I just stick them in the freezer as they come and set it on the counter when the other is getting low. No one has complained yet, including me

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I usually have 3 or 4 loaves in there all the time. I usually do exactly what above poster does and leave out overnight. The bread is always fresh and that way I can always have some on hand. You might want to take out a few slices at a time if you don't use it that often.

 

[dsilva51]

You can also take out just what you need each day. If making for lunch, then go ahead and make on frozen bread. It'll be fine by lunchtime if you make it in the morning. You can also toast it when frozen. We do this in summer because we don't eat much bread and I hate throwing away most of a loaf.

I do the exact same thing. I buy the fresh rolls at SAMs club slice them and freeze them, so I always have rolls on hand for lunches, hamburgers etc. I actually figured out that it was more cost effective to buy the rolls for lunch 18 count for $3.69 compared to $4.00 for 2 loaves. I wouldn't get 18 sandwiches out of 2 loaves of bread. KWIM?

 

[auger]

We seldom eat bread that hasn't been frozen.
When meijer has their 10/$10 + 11th free, I buy 12 loaves and they all go in the freezer. We pull them out as we need them and thaw them overnight on the counter.
The only advice I have is to make sure it does not touch the freezer walls.
It will get hard wherever it touches.
Otherwise, the bread is just as fresh when we pull it out as it was when we froze it.
No need for extra bagging or wrapping; just freeze it as is from the store.
We do the same thing with buns.