How Long Does Homemade Bread Last? + How To Store It

Learn how long homemade bread lasts and the best ways to store it to maintain freshness. Discover tips for storing at room temperature, freezing, and more!

When you put the time and effort into making homemade bread, the last thing you want is to watch it go stale too quickly. After all, nobody wants to toss out a loaf they’ve lovingly baked, only to feed it to the chickens. (I’m speaking to myself here.)

Homemade bread doesn’t contain preservatives like store-bought bread, which means it won’t last as long. But with the right storage techniques, you can keep your fresh-baked bread soft, delicious, and ready to enjoy for longer.

In this post, you’ll learn how long homemade bread lasts and the best ways to store it to maintain its freshness and texture. With these tips, you’ll be able to extend the life of your loaves and savor them just a little bit longer!

How Long Does Homemade Bread Last?

Generally speaking, homemade bread that is stored at room temperature has a shelf life of about 3-4 days. If you have a large family like I do, this is the perfect amount of time to eat 2 loaves of fresh bread. I rarely find that I have stale bread. In most cases, I find that we’ve run out of homemade bread and I need to bake more. 

However, there are steps you can take to extend the life of your bread. One method is to store your bread properly for maximum freshness. You can also freeze both slices and a whole loaf of bread. Freezing bread can actually extend the life of your bread for up to 3 months, preserving its flavor and texture. 

How to Store Homemade Bread for Maximum Freshness

Storing homemade bread properly is key to maintaining freshness. Proper storage reduces waste and ensures your hard work isn’t in vain. 

Let’s discuss room temperature storage. Fresh bread should be stored at room temperature. I do not recommend storing bread in the refrigerator as it disturbs the texture. 

​Ways to Store Homemade Bread at Room Temperature:

• Cut Side Down: I like to use this method the first day. Once the loaf cools, and has been sliced, I place the remaining portion of the loaf cut side down on a cutting board. This is great for crusty loaves!
• Bread Boxes: While I find having a bread box out on my countertop takes up too much space, this method works well. 
• Paper Bag: Placing your loaf in a paper bag will ensure a crispy crust and preserve the texture. 
• Cloth Storage: You can purchase and place your whole or cut loaves in a linen bread bag. The linen is breathable so that the bread stays dry. 
• Using Plastic Wrap or Beeswax Wrap: This method works just fine. I prefer beeswax to plastic wrap only because it’s eco-friendly. 
• Plastic Bag or Other Airtight Container: This method may be most convenient and works well as long as no moisture gets inside the bag or container. When the bread gets warm inside the bag, it can cause too much moisture and condensation to form on the inside of the bag. This will cause mold growth. So be sure to only use this method short term and watch for moisture. This is the method I prefer and the best option for sandwich bread because it tends to get stale quickly when not kept airtight. 

Note: Whole loaves can be stored just as they are out on the counter for a couple of days. 

How to Freeze Homemade Bread for Longer Storage

Freezing bread is a great way to extend its shelf life and ensure you always have fresh bread on hand, even if you don’t bake every day. Whether you’re making sourdough, sandwich bread, or a batch of rolls, freezing bread helps preserve its flavor, texture, and freshness for longer. 

Instead of watching your homemade loaves go stale, you can store them in the freezer and enjoy them weeks later with just a little reheating. Let’s dive into the best practices for freezing bread so it stays delicious!

Proper Freezing Technique for Whole Loaf: 

1. Let your bread cool completely. This may take a few hours, but be patient as this is an important step. 
2. Wrap the loaf twice in plastic wrap. This will ensure there’s no freezer burn. 
3. Place the wrapped loaf inside a large freezer bag, let as much air out as possible, and seal the bag. 

​Using this method, your loaf should stay fresh for up to 3 months. 

Proper Freezing Technique for Sliced Homemade Bread: 

1. ​Allow the loaf to cool completely. Do not skip this step as it is crucial to have fresh-tasting bread later.
2. Cut the loaf into individual slices. Lay the slices on a parchment-lined sheet pan and place the pan into the freezer for an hour or two so that each slice freezes completely. This keeps the slices from sticking together in step 3. 
3. Remove the slices from the freezer and place them into a larger freezer-save bag and seal. 

​This is my go-to method for sandwich bread. Our family loves the convenience of taking a slice or two out of the freezer anytime we want. 

How to Thaw Frozen Bread: 
This post discusses 3 different methods for thawing and reheating bread. However, the best way to thaw an entire loaf is to remove the plastic wrap, place it on the counter at room temperature, and allow it to thaw for a few hours. 

When reheating sliced bread, you can place it in the toaster or oven directly from the freezer. You can also allow it to thaw and reheat in the same manner for a shorter amount of time. Never place frozen homemade bread in the microwave. Your bread will become hard to chew and ruin the slice of bread. 

How to Use Up Stale Bread

Sometimes even with our best intentions, bread goes stale. However, no worries there are lots of ideas for how to use up stale bread. Let’s take a look at a few:

• Make Homemade Croutons by slicing stale bread into cubes. Drizzle with olive oil and bake in the oven until nice and toasty. 
• Serve French Toast Casserole for breakfast or brunch especially if you have a stale sourdough boule!
• Make Bread Pudding or as a last result, feed it to your chickens or birds. My chickens love it when I forget about a loaf and the staling process has taken its toll. 

Final Thoughts

To keep your homemade bread fresh and delicious, proper storage is key. Whether you choose to store it at room temperature for a few days, refrigerate it for a bit longer, or freeze it for up to three months, each storage method has its advantages. By using the right containers and techniques, you can ensure your loaves stay soft, flavorful, and ready to enjoy. Remember, homemade bread doesn’t have the preservatives of store-bought loaves, but with the right care, it can last much longer than you might expect!

Lately, here are a few bread recipes you may want to try…

Soup Bread-made with yeast
Freshly Milled Sourdough Bread– this is the recipe I now use for all of my sandwich loaves.
Chocolate Chip Brioche– a sweet type of bread