Bread is a delicious household staple and goes beautifully with many dishes.
Nothing beats warm and freshly made bread to go with that cup of tea or some warm soup.
It can be made into various types using a variety of ingredients and recipes all over the world.
Learning different ways to reheat bread while retaining that fluffiness and texture can be a lifesaver when you want to whip up something quick. In this article, you will learn the different ways to achieve this without much hassle.
It is possible to reheat bread without making it hard. You can make use of an oven, microwave, or even a stove to achieve this.
However, how you store your bread and other factors can come in handy.
How to store bread
The first step is to figure out how to store bread properly.
1. Freezing your bread
Freezing bread is the best and most efficient way to preserve your loaf for a long period. Wrap loaf tightly in a plastic wrap and then proceed to wrap again, this time in foil or freezer bag.
It is best to slice the bread beforehand to control how you’d like to take it whenever you thaw the loaf. You can freeze for up to six months.
2. Storing your bread in a bread box
Mold thrives in warm areas so it is best to look for dry and cool places to store your bread. The breadbox has no freezer but it balances the humidity and keeps out moisture. Remember to use a big box and not overfill to prevent the build-up of moisture.
3. Wrapping bread in foil or plastic bag
Doing this will keep the bread from going stale but might not retain the crust. No need to worry though as reheating the bread will bring back some of that texture.
Remember that not all bread goes stale at the same rate. For example, brioche will take a lot longer than baguettes to go stale due to the fat content in the former. Also, it is important to leave the bread to sit at room temperature and thaw, before reheating.
How to reheat bread without making it hard
There are quite a few options to make this work, but using the oven, microwave, toaster, or stove is the best. The oven is arguably the best route to warm bread out of the four options.
1. Using the oven
Using the oven is the best way to reheat bread and the ideal method to retain the aroma and flavor. Follow these steps to get your perfectly warmed bread.
Step 1
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F.
Going any higher will likely burn the bread. Any lower and you end up having to cook the bread for much longer resulting in very dry bread. We wouldn’t want that so it is best to stick to the ideal temperature for the best results.
Step 2
Wrap the bread in Aluminum foil before throwing it in the oven.
This will allow the bread to heat evenly and prevent a hard crust. If you don’t cover it in foil, the bread will come dry and burnt. An extra tip is to lightly brush the surface of the bread with some water or melted butter to keep it from drying out.
Step 3
Proceed to bake the bread for about 10 – 15 minutes.
If you’re reheating sliced bread then be careful not to exceed 10 minutes to maintain a chewy crust. For bigger or thicker loaves of bread, 15 minutes is advised to allow the center to heat up properly.
Step 4
Remove bread from the oven and serve right away.
Doing this will prevent the bread from cooling down and having to be reheated again. Remember that reheating the bread again will ruin the flavor and texture so best to do this once.
2. Using a microwave
If you’re looking for a faster or easier way to reheat your bread then the microwave is your go-to. The following steps should help you with that.
- Place three tablespoons of water in a bowl.
- Make sure to check if it’s microwave safe. This is to ensure that the inside of the microwave stays moist.
- Put the bowl inside the microwave and heat the water for a full minute on maximum power.
- Place bread on two layers of paper towel and use a slightly dampened layer to cover the top loosely. This is mostly to prevent sogginess due to condensation.
- Proceed to place bread in the microwave along with the hot water and set to LOW HEAT for 10 seconds.
- Flip the bread making sure that it is still loosely covered.
- Heat again for 10 seconds on low heat.
- If the bread is frozen, you would have to repeat this step until the bread is done.
- Avoid overheating the bread so that it does not become hard.
- Remove bread from the microwave and serve in any preferred way.
3. Using a toaster
If you have a toaster then you’re in luck because it is a very convenient way to reheat bread. It is a fast and very effective method. Follow these steps to ensure an easy toasting process.
- Cut the bread into slices using a bread knife.
- Make sure you cut them thinly enough so they fit well into the toaster. The thinner your bread, the crispier it will be so do keep that in mind.
- Place the bread in the toaster slots and choose your preferred setting.
- Press down on the knob that lowers the bread into the toaster.
- Wait for the toast to rise back up before you remove the bread.
- Be careful not to pick up your bread if it is too hot, so allow it to cool a little.
- Feel free to enjoy with several toppings or some good old butter.
You can also toast your bread in the oven for an even better toasting experience. Preheat your oven and place bread slices on a baking sheet. Place in the oven and toast for as long as you’d like.
Conclusion
There you have it! Now you don’t have to toss out that leftover bread anymore. Whether it’s homemade bread or your favorite loaf from the store, none of it has to go waste ever again. Now you know how to bring your bread back to life without killing off the taste and texture. Also, it’s very easy to reheat sandwiches similarly. Enjoy!
