4 Simple Tricks to Keep Your Bread Fresh While You're Away

Preparing for a trip, even a quick weekend getaway, demands a fair amount of planning. Beyond the usual tasks of packing and tidying up your home before leaving to ensure a relaxing return, you should also think about how to store any perishable items, like bread.

As noted by Healthline, bread generally lasts around three to seven days at room temperature. This means that if you buy a loaf on Thursday and head out for a three-day weekend, it might spoil before you're back. Here are several tips to help you prolong that short shelf life and keep your bread fresh longer. 

Properly seal it.

That bag your sliced bread comes in? It's not ideal for long-term storage. Instead, BistroMD recommends using vacuum-sealed bags that eliminate excess oxygen, preventing mold growth and extending the life of your bread.  

Keep bread in a cool location.

Never, under any circumstances, place your bread on top of your fridge. Madelyn Osten, former head baker at Sullivan Street Bakery, warns that this can quickly spoil your bread. “Storing bread on the fridge will dry out paper-bagged bread and hasten mold on plastic-bagged bread,” Osten told Food&Wine. Instead, she recommends keeping bread in a cool, dry spot in your kitchen, whether that's on the counter, in a cabinet, or a deep drawer.

Consider adding honey to the mix.

As noted by Luminary Bakery, incorporating a bit of honey can serve as a natural preservative when baking your own bread. “Many bakers advocate for the honey preservation technique, which involves adding about two tablespoons of honey to the recipe or substituting it for your usual sugar,” the bakery explained in a blog post. “The result is a sweet-flavored loaf that lasts longer.” 

Or take a cue from Ina and freeze it.

Ina Garten is a culinary icon for a reason, so it’s wise to heed her advice on bread storage for your next trip. In 2019, Garten revealed to Food&Wine reporter Maria Yagoda that she always keeps her bread in the freezer to maintain its freshness. However, she doesn't store it as a whole loaf. Instead, she cuts it into sizable chunks and wraps each one securely in freezer-safe paper. This way, you only need to thaw a piece when you crave some bread. This method can keep your bread fresh and flavorful for up to six months. So consider extending that getaway, knowing you can still enjoy a tasty sandwich or some good toast when you get back.