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You know the feeling – you just bought a crispy, crunchy baguette from the bakery, and the next day it’s stale and you can’t eat it.
Don’t worry, there are some simple tricks to keep baguette fresh and tasty for up to a week. In this article, Here you will find the best tips from a baker on how to store a baguette so that it stays fresh and tasty for days on end.
You will learn the best ways to keep a baguette fresh. Why do baguettes get stale quickly? The choice between bread bags and plastic bags and how to store your baguette in the freezer? plus my favorite uses for stale baguettes.
Why Baguette Go Stale Quickly?
The staling of a baguette begins around 6 hours after baking when the baguette releases carbon dioxide. This is when the bread is stale, the crumb becomes firmer and less elastic and becomes dry and crumbly.
Then comes the loss of moisture. The inside of the baguette becomes dry, hard, and crumbles easily. However, bread spoils even when kept in an airy place, usually without loss of moisture.
Another factor that makes a baguette go stale faster, is the starch in bread flour makes baguettes and other leavened breads lighter over time. When the starch molecules break down, they release the water trapped in the bread. The result is hard, dry bread.
Rеlatеd: What is a Baguette?
How to Keep Baguette Fresh Longer
You’ve just bought a delicious artisanal baguette or made your homemade bread and want to keep it fresh for as long as possible. Here are some tips:
Don’t slice bread until you’re ready to eat it. When sliced, the baguette dries out more quickly. For best results, keep your baguette whole and slice just before eating.
Store your baguette at room temperature. A cool, dry place in your home or kitchen. Your kitchen counter or pantry shelf works well. Avoid putting the bread in the refrigerator as it may dry out. The best temperatures for keeping baguettes fresh are between 14 and 18°C.
Use a paper or linen bag to store your baguette. Plastic wrap traps moisture and makes the bread soggy. A loose cover with some airflow is ideal. Tie the bag to keep the air out, but do not seal it completely.
Keep Your Baguette in a Bread Box or Dinner Napkins
Store your fresh bread in a bread storage box or wrapped in a cotton bread napkin to keep it fresh. A bread box is the best way to store baguette because it allows air to circulate while protecting the baguette. Be sure to choose a bread box that is specifically designed for storing bread.
If you don’t have a bread box, a cotton napkin is a great alternative. Wrap the entire baguette in the napkin and tie the ends to seal. The linen allows the bread to breathe while absorbing excess moisture.
Shop Now: Bread box with linen Bag
Bread Bags or Plastic Bags?
Bread bags, such as cotton or linen bags, allow air to circulate while keeping bread from drying out. They’re designed specifically for storing bread and will keep your baguette crispy for up to 2 days. Look for bread bags that have a seal or drawstring to close them. Roll or fold the bag over and seal it to prevent air entry.
Avoid using plastic bags, such as ziplock bag or grocery bagsbags. Plastic doesn’t allow air to circulate and will make your baguette go stale fast. Trapped moisture causes the bread to get soggy and develop mold. Use plastic only as a last resort or when freezing the bread. Be sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag.
How To Store Baguette Bread in The Freezer?
Freezing is the most effective way to preserve a baguette, keeping it fresh for up to a week. Before freezing a baguette, cut it into individual slices so you can take out only what you need and keep the rest in the freezer.
Place the baguette slices in a freezer bag or airtight plastic bag in the freezer. Let out as much air as possible before closing. Label and date the bag so you know how long the bread has been frozen.
When you are ready to eat, take it out and put it in a hot oven at 400°F with a bowl of water for 3 to 4 minutes. If you want to make toast, you can toast straight from the freezer.
Proper freezer storage preserves the freshness of the baguette and prevents waste. To get the best quality, use the frozen baguette within 7 days, and don’t refreeze the bread after thawing.
Uses of Stale Baguettes to Reduce Food Waste
If your baguette gets stale after a few days, here are some ideas on what to do with stale baguettes:
- Make French toast
Soak thick slices of stale baguette in an egg-and-milk batter, then toast it in a skillet until browned. Top your French toast with fruit, nuts, or whipped cream. This classic breakfast treat turns stale French bread into a delicious, sweet dessert.
- Make breadcrumbs
Cut French bread into chunks and pulse it in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Breadcrumbs are great for coating chicken cutlets or fish fillets. Store breadcrumbs in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 week. You can follow this recipe from Jessica Gavin to make your Breadcrumbs.
- Make croutons
Cut your baguette into cubes and toss with olive oil, garlic, and herbs such as rosemary. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Homemade croutons are perfect for adding flavor to salads or as an accompaniment to soups or stews. You can store croutons for up to a week in an airtight container.
You can add Savoyard fondue or bread pudding to these bread stale recipes. However, with a little creativity, a loaf of bread can find new life and purpose in your kitchen. Reduce food waste by repurposing leftovers into something even more flavorful and delicious and your taste buds and wallet will thank you.
Related: 13 Best Bread For Grilled Cheese.
Conclusion
Some simple tricks can keep your baguette fresh longer for up to a week! The key is controlling moisture loss by keeping bread in a bread box or bread bag or using aluminum foil to seal in moisture if necessary, and avoiding the refrigerator unless you plan to eat it soon.
