Wonder Bread Breaks It Down: The Best Way to Store Sliced Bread

When it comes to pantry essentials, sliced bread is a must-have. It’s the foundation of countless quick meals, lunch fixes, and those late-night cravings. You may not always plan for it, but you can bet you’ll need it at some point.

And when that moment arrives, the last thing you want is to find that your trusty loaf has fallen victim to mold. Your once-perfect white bread—and your hopes of a fast PB&J—are now doomed to the trash.

Mold doesn't have to claim your favorite loaf of white bread. How long it stays fresh really depends on where you store it. Some swear by the bread box, others prefer the counter, and a few keep it cold in the fridge alongside the eggs. With so many different ideas, how do you know the best option? You consult the experts.

We reached out to Wonder Bread, one of the most iconic white bread brands, to uncover the ultimate storage method to keep sliced bread fresh for as long as possible (and avoid the dreaded mold). So, if you’ve ever wondered about the best way to store your loaf, this is the answer.

Wonder Bread's Top Tips for Storing Sliced Bread

The very qualities we love about sliced white bread—its soft, fluffy texture and sweet flavor—are also what make it tricky to store. Its high moisture content makes it a prime candidate for mold. The secret to freshness is keeping the bread away from air, heat, and moisture, which are all breeding grounds for mold.

Haley Benson, Senior Bakery Scientist at Wonder Bread, told Dinogo, 'The best way to extend your bread's shelf life is to store it in a cool, dry spot—like a bread box or pantry. And of course, ensure the bag is tightly sealed.'

Is a bread box the ultimate storage solution? 'A bread box offers a controlled, dark, and dry space that locks in freshness,' explained Benson. 'It eliminates concerns like added humidity or spills that could occur on your kitchen counter.' While the pantry is usually a solid choice, the bread box provides extra protection against oxygen, moisture, and heat.

P.S. You don’t need to move your bread to a zip-top bag or airtight container for optimal freshness. 'The Wonder bag is specifically designed to seal the bread and maintain its quality and freshness throughout its shelf life,' Benson explained. 'No need to transfer to another bag.'

How Long Can Sliced Bread Stay Fresh?

Store-bought white bread typically includes additives that help it last longer than a homemade or artisanal loaf, though the exact ingredients can vary from brand to brand.

When stored in a cool, dry environment, a bag of sliced white bread can last anywhere from five to seven days. But if you can't finish the loaf within a week, there are other ways to preserve it.

Can Sliced Bread Be Stored in the Fridge?

According to Benson, 'The fridge is not ideal for maintaining bread’s freshness, as it tends to dry it out and accelerate staling due to moisture migration. While it's safe to refrigerate, it's not the best choice for quality.'

While refrigerating isn’t recommended, freezing bread is a fantastic way to extend its shelf life if you won’t finish it within seven days. When stored in an airtight container, bread can stay frozen for months without losing its quality. Just thaw or toast when you're ready, and it'll taste as good as new.

Benson also pointed out, 'Don’t re-freeze bread after it has been thawed.'

Whether you finish your loaf in a week or take longer to consume it, follow Wonder Bread’s expert tips to keep your bread fresh and avoid the dreaded mold.