Bread is a staple that should always be available at home. Although a freshly-baked loaf always tastes the best, sometimes we can’t always afford such luxury. Instead, we often buy (or bake) extra loaves to enjoy throughout the week.
Whether you’re loading up your freezer with bread or you need to deal with some leftovers, you need a proper reheating method to bring them back to life. So, you might be wondering: what is the best way to reheat bread?
Although reheating bread seems like an effortless task, things can go wrong pretty quickly. This article will walk you through the best methods to reheat bread so it won’t turn out soggy nor dried out. So, read on!
Can You Reheat Bread?
The key to warming bread is to add moisture, so it becomes soft and fluffy again. If reheating frozen loaves, don’t forget to thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and unwrap it shortly before reheating.
So, here is our step-to-step guide to reheating leftover bread without it getting hard nor soggy.
How to Warm Bread in the Oven
Reheating in an oven is the best method to bring back its crusty exterior and soft interior. This method works perfectly primarily for an unsliced loaf—no need to slice it before reheating. Sliced bread tends to become hard and dry if you’re not careful during reheating.
You can practically warm up any kind of bread, including baguette, French bread, sandwich loaf, sourdough, etc.
This method works for reheating frozen bread, as long as you defrost it in the fridge overnight first.
Here is how you can do it:
1. Take enough amount that you will serve. It’s best to reheat bread once. If you have leftovers and heat them up again next time, it won’t turn nice and flavorful.
2. Preheat your oven to 325 to 350 ºF.
3. Place a loaf of bread on a baking sheet and spray with water.
4. Wrap it with aluminum foil to prevent the exterior crust from getting overcooked and burnt.
5. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Adjust the reheating time to the size of the loaf. Smaller loaf, such as baguette, takes less time.
6. Once warm enough, remove from the oven and serve.
How to Heat Up Bread On A Stove Top
For a quick shortcut, try this method. It works well for both sliced and unsliced loaf. Here is how to heat up bread on the stove:
For unsliced loaf
1. Wrap the loaf in aluminum foil.
2. Place it in a pan and cover it with a lid.
3. Reheat over low heat for about 5 minutes.
4. Check if it’s already warm and soft enough. Heat for another few minutes if it’s not warm enough.
For bread slices
1. Place a slice or two in a heated pan.
2. Spray with water and reheat for 2 to 3 minutes for each side.
3. Flip and spray with water again.
4. Reheat for another 2 to 3 minutes until both sides are warm and brown. At this point, you can already add a pat of butter (optional).
Reheating Slices Of Bread In A Toaster
This reheating technique is a go-to method if you want to prepare an ultimate breakfast toast. It is convenient and quick compared to reheating in an oven and skillet.
Here is how to freshen up bread in a toaster.
1. Place a single slice in each slot.
2. Adjust the setting and start the toasting.
3. After a few seconds, it should pop out and ready.
4. Add butter, jam, or other toppings to your liking.
Reheating bread in an Air Fryer
You can use the air fryer to warm up bread slices. Here’s how:
Preheat the air fryer to 350 ºF.
Place the bread slices inside the container for 1-2 minutes then remove and serve.
Reheating Dinner Rolls In A Slow Cooker
Some people don’t really mind having dinner rolls at room temperature. In case you prefer them warm, here is how to reheat these soft and fluffy rolls in a slow cooker, whether they are homemade or store-bought.
1. Wrap the rolls in aluminum foil.
2. Place them in the slow cooker.
3. Put the lid on.
4. Heat them for around 30 minutes until they are soft and warm.
FAQs
What can I do with old hard bread?
You can quickly revive it by wrapping it with a damp cloth and warm it up in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes until soft and warm. Or, turn it into something fun and tastier. Think of homemade breadcrumbs, croutons for salads, or easy bread pudding.
How do you reheat sandwiches in the microwave?
Simply place the sandwich on a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a paper towel, and warm it up for 90 seconds or until it is warm enough. If the filling is too thick, consider separating the sandwich in half before reheating.
Can you freeze bread?
Yes. Wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, pack into a freezer bag, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag tightly. Freeze for 3 to 6 months for the best quality.
Summary
Leftover bread is something that we tend to have from time to time. While reheating seems like a simple task, doing it wrong won’t bring back its soft interior and desirable crust.
Check our tips above on reheating bread, so it tastes as fresh as it just came out of the oven for the first time!
Rosa graduated with a master degree in Food Safety from Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands. Recently, she started a consulting agency to facilitate the improvement of food safety, quality, and sustainability.
