Banana bread is one of the few pieces of bread you can easily make at home. My kids love banana bread, and sometimes they demand it out of the blue.
I figured that instead of baking banana bread each time they want some, I would just bake several at once and store them. This way, any time they want some, I don’t have to go through the entire process of baking.
How exactly should you store banana bread?
If you are planning to eat the bread in 1-2 days, you can store it in the pantry or kitchen cabinet at room temperature. However, if you have no plans to consume the bread soon, it is best if you store it in the freezer. You should keep in mind that when you store banana bread at room temperature, it does not have a long shelf-life.
Here is how to properly store your banana bread.
In the pantry or kitchen cabinet
Like I mentioned earlier, banana bread that is stored at room temperature only stays fresh for 2-3 days. Here is how to properly store your banana bread in your kitchen cabinet or pantry.
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- Cool the banana bread.
Before you store the banana bread, you need to ensure that it has cooled completely. You should not store warm bread in an airtight container.
If you do, the warmth of the bread will produce moisture that will make your bread soggy. The only way to tell if the bread is cold is by using your sense of touch.
If the bread no longer feels warm to touch, you can go ahead and store it. If not, be patient and wait until it is.
- Lay a paper towel at the bottom of an airtight container.
Your container should be bigger than the size of the bread. Place paper towels at the bottom of the container you want to store your bread in.
- Place the banana bread on top of the paper towel.
The paper towel will absorb any excess moisture that may leak out.
- Cover the bread with another paper towel.
The paper towels will prevent your banana bread from getting soggy when you store it. They any excess moisture.
- Seal the airtight container
Seal the container you have stored the bread in with its lid properly.
- Store
Store the container in your pantry or kitchen cabinet. Your bread will stay fresh for 2-3 days.
Alternatively, you can store the banana bread in a sealable bag. All you need to do is make sure that no air is trapped inside the bag when you seal it.
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Freezer- the best place to store banana bread
Freezing banana bread is the best way to store it if you have no plans of consuming it any time soon. If you freeze the bread, it can stay fresh for up to three months.
Follow these simple steps in order to store your banana properly in the freezer.
- Cool the banana bread.
Cooling is very essential when it comes to storing banana bread. If you store it when it is still warm you will end up with soggy bread. Additionally, the warm temperature of the bread can disrupt your freezer’s internal temperature. Consequently, your banana bread will not freeze well.
If you are wondering exactly how long to cool banana bread before wrapping, it is approximately 30 minutes. However, if thirty minutes elapse and the bread still feels a little warm, let it cool for a bit longer.
- Use plastic wrap to wrap the banana bread.
Wrap the plastic wrap around the bread about three times. When done fold the edges so that no bread is left exposed.
Alternatively, use beeswax to wrap the bread.
- Wrap aluminum foil around the bread.
After wrapping the bread with plastic wrap, wrap it with aluminum foil that at least once. Wrap it tightly around the bread. If you don’t, the foil will come off while in the freezer. The aluminum foil ensures the bread stays fresh.
- Place the banana bread in a freezer bag.
After wrapping the bread in the foil, place it in a freezer bag. Squeeze out any excess air from the freezer bag using your hands and then seal it. Alternatively, suck out excess air from the freezer bag using a straw.
- Store the banana bread.
Once you place the bread in the freezer bag, place it in the freezer. It will stay fresh for up to three months. Always record when you store it so that you can tell how long it has been in the freezer.
If you store the bread in the freezer for more than three months, it will develop freezer burn and get spoilt. I recommend eating the bread in the first two months for the best taste.
How to keep banana bread moist
No one loves dry banana bread, we all love it moist. Proper storage is key if you want to keep your banana bread moist.
If you are storing your banana bread in the pantry or kitchen cabinet, make sure you place it in between two paper towels. They will ensure that the bread does not get foggy.
If you are storing your bread in the freezer, always wrap a plastic wrap around it and aluminum foil as well. Wrapping the bread in plastic prevents air from reaching the surface of the bread and the aluminum foil keeps the bread fresh.
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How to store banana bread in Freezer
To properly store banana bread in the freezer, first, let it cool completely. Never store warm banana bread in your freezer.
It will become soggy and it will not freeze properly. Once the banana bread cools down, wrap it in a plastic wrap three times and fold the edges to ensure no bread is left exposed.
When done, wrap it in aluminum foil so that the bread remains fresh. Place the wrapped banana bread in a freezer bag and squeeze out any excess air from the bag using your fingers. Alternatively, use a straw to suck out excess air from the freezer bag.
Seal the freezer bag and date it so that you can tell how long the bread has been in the freezer. Place the freezer bag in your freezer.
Consume it within three months. If the bread stays in the freezer longer than three months, it will get freezer burn and it will also get spoilt
How to thaw banana bread
The best way to thaw banana bread is simply placing it on your kitchen countertop.
Sliced bread will thaw in approximately 30 minutes. However, unsliced bread usually takes longer to thaw. It will be ready in approximately two and a half hours.
If your banana bread is unsliced and you can’t wait for over two hours, you can thaw it inside your oven. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees then place the banana bread in the oven. It will be ready in approximately 45 minutes.
If your bread is sliced, you can thaw it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. However, I don’t recommend using the microwave as it may dry out your banana bread.
Can you freeze banana bread muffins?
Yes, you can freeze banana bread muffins to keep them tasting fresh. Here is how to freeze your banana bread in just a few simple steps.
- Let the muffins cool completely.
Once you remove your muffins from the oven, let them sit at room temperature until they cool completely.
- Freeze the banana bread muffins in a single layer.
Once the muffins cool completely, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and let the banana bread muffins freeze for approximately 30 minutes.
- Place the banana bread muffins in a freezer bag.
Remove the frozen muffins from the freezer and place them in airtight freezer bags. Squeeze out air from the freezer bags before sealing them. Place the freezer bags into another freezer bag and squeeze out air. This will prevent freezer burn.
- Store
Store the freezer bag in your freezer. Your banana bread muffins will remain fresh for up to three months.
Can I freeze muffins in Tupperware?
Yes, you can freeze muffins in Tupperware. All you have to do is cool the muffins completely, place them in your Tupperware, cover it with its lid, and freeze.
Always make sure that you don’t put too many muffins in one container. This may make them fail to freeze properly.
How long to let the banana bread cool before eating
Once your banana bread is ready, you need to let it cool for a few minutes before eating. I recommend letting your banana bread cool for fifteen minutes before slicing and eating it.
The cooling period allows steam to condense. You can easily remove the cooled banana from the baking pan and slice it.
If you cool your banana bread for too long or you don’t let it cool enough, the bread might be a bit difficult to slice. 15 minutes is enough time for it to cool down a bit.
