Should Bread Be Refrigerated? It Depends

You trekked all the way to the grocery store or the bakery just to get a nice, fresh loaf. You get it home, make your sandwich, and wrap up the remaining bread. But what should you do with it now? Should you toss it in the pantry, fridge, or freezer? Well, it depends on how quickly you plan to finish it and how soft you like your slices. 

“Storing bread in the refrigerator is safe and will slow the aging process,” Lorene Sauro, a nutritionist and food professional who is certified in health and food safety, shared with Food & Wine. “However, due to a process known as starch retrogradation, doing so can change the texture of the bread, making it dry and crumbly.” 

Shelly Balls, a registered dietitian nutritionist who is also ServSafe Manager Certified, echoed Sauro’s thoughts, adding that research has revealed that when bread is refrigerated, “it changes the structure of the starches, causing them to crystallize, which makes the bread harder, but this doesn’t come with any health risks.” 

Instead, both Balls and Sauro suggest Instead, Sauro suggested storing bread at room temperature, in a cool, dry space, which Sauro says “is best for optimal safety and quality.” This is especially true for crusty bread, which should always be stored at room temperature as the “deleterious effects when refrigerated are more pronounced,” Balls noted. 

Though, you may not notice much of a difference between the storage techniques with mass-produced, commercially made bread. “The difference in taste between refrigerated/room temperature is very mild when it comes to commercially made breads,” Balls added. “If you do store your bread in the fridge, keep the bread in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.” 

However, if you plan on not using the rest of your loaf for some time, freezing is certainly an option. 

“If the bread won’t be consumed quickly, freezing it is the next best option. Freezing halts the aging process, which will resume once the bread returns to room temperature,” Sauro said. “Be sure to put the bread in a container or plastic bag to prevent freezer burn.” Just don’t let it sit in the freezer for too long, as “freezer burn will occur, and the bread will no longer be tasty.”