This Is The Best Way To Defrost Bread

You've just gotten home from the grocery store and couldn't resist the fresh bread from the bakery, so you bought a few extra loaves to have on hand for some recipes you want to try out (hello, cheesy pull apart bread from the Food Network). A few weeks later, you're digging through your freezer and stumble upon one of the loaves you popped in there, and realize you finally have time for that dish you wanted to try out. While you could leave the bread out on the counter to thaw, we're here to tell you there's definitely a better and faster way to defrost bread.

Before the thawing process can even begin you want to be sure to freeze your bread the right way so it will have the same quality after defrosting as it did when it was fresh. First off, the better quality your bread loaf is the better it will thaw — so breads like a country loaf or sourdough will likely stand up to the freezing and thawing process much better than sliced white sandwich bread (via SELF).

When it's time to defrost, remember that just setting bread on the counter to thaw can result in stale loaves. The best way to defrost is with a little heat, according to PureWow. If you're defrosting slices of bread, consider using the toaster or toaster oven on the defrost setting to bring your bread back to life. The microwave is also a viable option for defrosting slices; Just place the slices uncovered on a microwave-safe plate and heat them up for about 20 seconds. All microwaves are different, so be sure to watch the bread closely and check on it after 15 seconds to start. If all you have is an oven, you can pop the slices on a tray and into an oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes.

Defrosting whole loaves of bread is more of a two day process, ideally. First you're going to want to take your bread out of the plastic bag you froze it in and let it thaw in the refrigerator. This can take a while, so it's best to defrost overnight — that way, the next day when you're ready to use the bread it's ready to go. Once your bread is defrosted, heat your oven to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and pop the loaf in for three to five minutes. While it may seem underdone, SELF promises the crust will crisp up after you take it out. Let the bread cool on the counter until the exterior is fully crispy again, slice and serve as you wish.