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How To Defrost Bread

Knowing how to thaw bread will save you a TON of time AND MONEY! You’ll be freezing and thawing bread like a pro when you know how to defrost bread! 

homemade loaf of bread on cutting board with slices

 

Why This Recipe Works!

  • Fast
  • Easy
  • Saves you Money and Time! 
  • Easy to put your freezer to work for you! 

Here’s How It’s Done

STEP 1. 

Have already frozen bread on hand.

bread in the freezer

STEP 2. 

Remove from the Freezer and place out onto your kitchen counter (1-2 hours for a whole loaf or 30 minutes for a couple slices). 

Bread and a plastic bag with bread

STEP 3. 

Warm in a 350 oven for 5 minutes. Use as desired.

two bread pans covered with aluminum foil in the oven

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Does This Method Of Thawing Work With Any Kind Of Bread? 

Sure does! Quickbreads, homemade breads and store bought loaf bread! 

How To Defrost Bread Without Destroying It. 

The best way to thaw bread without tearing it up is to work with it gently, not freeze it longer than 3 months and to heat it in the oven for a few minutes after you have thawed it in room temperature air for a few hours. 

Can I Defrost My Bread In The Microwave? 

You CAN defrost your bread there but we don’t recommend it. Often the bread will become hard in places, tough, chewy and impossible to eat when done this way. 

How Do I Thaw…

  • Hot Dog Buns
  • Banana Bread
  • Hamburger Buns
  • Bread Dough
  • Pita Bread
  1. Easy! You can do one of two methods. Either follow the directions as written below 

OR

  1. Place the frozen bread into the refrigerator 24 hours before you plan to use it and allow it to thaw very slowly that way. 

Can I Defrost My Bread In The Oven? 

Yes! You can defrost bread this way IF it is handmade bread (or the crusty exterior bread you might buy at the store) or quick breads (muffins, cornbread).

I DO NOT recommend this method for store bought sliced sandwich bread

  1. Set the oven on 300
  2. Unwrap the frozen bread from the store or plastic wrap.
  3. Wrap in aluminum foil.
  4. Place in the oven on the center rack
  5. Bake for 20 minutes. Check and it may need another 5-10 minutes. 
Southern Mexican Cornbread with a cute floral napkin beneath and butter on top

Southern Mexican Cornbread

Tips and Tricks for How to Defrost Bread

  • When freezing bread, freeze it in portions that you will use it in. So, if you live alone, freeze sliced bread in 2-4 slices at a time. 
  • Save your freezing bags. Bread doesn’t make the bags dirty and it is easy to wipe them out and reuse them! (great for the environment and easy to store). 
  • If you have just a few slices to thaw, they can be put directly into the toaster and heated as usual. 

If You Enjoyed This Post, You Might Also Like..

Banana Pecan Bread

Mexican Cornbread

Southern Cornbread

Cornbread Salad

Want to Know More About Freezing and Thawing?

How to Freeze Cream Cheese

Freezing Cheese Slices

How to Freeze Bread

Thawing Ground Beef 

How to Freeze Sour Cream

YA’LL BE SWEET AND HELP ME OUT, OK?

Leave me a 5 STAR  🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Comment below. Reader comments are the best. I answer right back!

homemade loaf of bread on cutting board with slices

How to Defrost Bread

Knowing how to thaw bread will save you a TON of time AND MONEY! You’ll be freezing and thawing bread like a pro when you know how to defrost bread!
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: how to defrost bread, how to thaw bread
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 6 minutes
Servings: 18 servings
Calories: 72kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf bread

Instructions

  • Remove the bread from the freezer and set it out on the counter for 2-3 hours before you plan to use it.
  • Heat the oven to 300 and place it into the oven for 5 minutes.
  • Use the bread as usual. Keep in a sealed container to keep fresh

Notes

  • When freezing bread, freeze it in portions that you will use it in. So, if you live alone, freeze sliced bread in 2-4 slices at a time.
  • Save your freezing bags. Bread doesn’t make the bags dirty and it is easy to wipe them out and reuse them! (great for the environment and easy to store).
  • If you have just a few slices to thaw, they can be put directly into the toaster and heated as usual.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How to Defrost Bread
Amount Per Serving
Calories 72 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Cholesterol 13mg4%
Sodium 96mg4%
Potassium 29mg1%
Carbohydrates 12g4%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 53IU1%
Calcium 23mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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A VERSE TO SHARE

Give us this day our daily bread, for Thine is the Kingdom, The Power and The Glory Forever and Ever. Amen

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

Recipe Rating




Chuck K

Sunday 3rd of October 2021

This missed the most important hint: when thawing a loaf bread, do NOT open the bag, not even just momentarily. (Do NOT try to get ice crystals off the inside of the bag.) Think about it-- all that water was inside the breadloaf when you froze it, EXACTLY the right amount will go back into the bread during the day it takes to thaw. I've been thawing bread this way for decades, and it works perfectly. No putting slices in the oven, no using the microwave, no trying to measure just the right amount of water, no overly dry slices.

Wendi Spraker

Monday 11th of October 2021

Thanks Chuck.

Jen J

Sunday 1st of November 2020

Thank you! This is really helpful!

Wendi Spraker

Sunday 1st of November 2020

You are welcome! Thanks for leaving a comment.

Talitha Pettepher

Thursday 7th of May 2020

Great tips on thawing loaf bread from frozen!

Wendi Spraker

Thursday 7th of May 2020

Thanks!

Wendi Spraker

Friday 8th of November 2019

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