Download Article
Reheat a fresh loaf of bread without affecting its taste or texture
Download Article
So you bought a special loaf of French bread at the bakery or grocery store, and you're wondering how to reheat it to preserve its taste and texture. We’ve got you covered! Usually, your best bet will be to heat it up in the oven, but there are a few other options to try (like warming it on the stove or making toast). We’ll go over the best ways to reheat bread step-by-step, plus some tips for keeping your bread fresh and delicious longer. Keep reading for everything you need to know!
How to Warm French Bread in the Oven
Preheat the oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Wrap the bed in foil to protect the crust from burning, and place it in the oven for 10-15 minutes. If you like a crispier crust, remove the foil a minute or two before it’s done, but keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn. Remove from the oven, slice, and enjoy!
Steps
Section 1 of 5:
Reheating Bread Using the Oven
Download Article
-
Preheat the oven to 350 °F (177 °C). This is the best temperature for reheating bread. A hotter temperature could cause the bread to burn quickly, and a lower temperature would require a longer cooking time, resulting in dry bread. If you want a soft interior with a chewy crust, 350℉ (175℃) is definitely the way to go! [1] X Research source
- It's better to slice the bread after reheating rather than slicing it beforehand. Sliced bread will heat quickly and become hard and crunchy if you're not careful.
- However, if you want to make bread crumbs or croutons, you can slice or dice the bread. Toss the bread cubes with some melted butter, a dash of salt and pepper and some garlic powder before baking, and you'll end up with a delicious topping for your salad.
-
Wrap the bread in foil. This will protect the crust from getting burned while the inside of the bread heats. If you try to reheat it unwrapped, the crust could overcook and turn out too hard. [2] X Research source
- However, if you do like your crust a little crispy, remove the foil a minute or two early and continue baking without it.
- Just make sure to keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn’t get too well-done!
Advertisement -
Bake the bread for 10 to 15 minutes. For small or thin loaves of bread (such as baguettes), limit the baking time to 10 minutes.
- For larger, thicker loaves of bread, bake for 15 minutes, so the center has time to warm up. [3] X Research source
-
Remove the bread from the oven and serve. Serve the bread right away, so it doesn't have time to cool again. Reheating bread a third time probably will result in a less-than-optimal taste and texture.
Advertisement
Section 2 of 5:
Reheating Bread Using the Stovetop
Download Article
-
Wrap the bread in aluminum foil. This will help it heat evenly and protect it from getting burned during the reheating process. [4] X Research source
-
Place the bread in a pot with a lid. Use the smallest possible pot that will still comfortably hold the bread, then place the lid on the pot. -
Place the pot on the stove over low heat. The low heat will gently warm the bread without burning it. Allow it to warm for about five minutes, then remove the bread and check to see if it is thoroughly heated. If not, replace it in the pan and warm it for another few minutes. [5] X Research source
Advertisement
Section 3 of 5:
Making Toast with a Toaster or Oven
Download Article
-
Start by slicing your bread. Use a bread knife to cut the loaf into thin enough slices to fit into your toaster, but substantial enough to hold together when you butter it or use it as part of a sandwich.
- Keep in mind that the thinner you make the slices, the more quickly the bread will toast, and the crisper it will turn out.
- You can toast thick, hearty slices in the oven if they won't fit in your toaster.
-
Toast your bread in a toaster. If you're looking for a quick, convenient, and effective toasting method, nothing beats a toaster. Load the bread into the slots, change the setting to your preferred level of doneness, and push down on the knob that lowers the toast into the toaster and turns it on. When the toast springs back up, it's ready to eat!
- Be careful when you remove your bread from the toaster. You might need to let it cool for a moment if it's too hot to touch.
- Never stick a knife or fork into a toaster to extract the toast—this can be dangerous!
-
Or, try toasting your bread in the oven. This adds a tasty gourmet touch, since nothing beats the texture of oven-toasted bread. First, turn on the broiler in your oven and let it preheat. Next, place your bread slices on a baking sheet and put the sheet under the broiler for 2-5 minutes, or until the bread is toasted to your liking. [6] X Research source
- For extra delicious and flavorful toast, try buttering the bread before you broil it.
- You can also melt cheese on the bread to make a heartier snack.
Advertisement
Section 4 of 5:
Reheating Bread in the Microwave
Download Article
-
Place your bread on a plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. This will keep the bread from losing too much moisture and drying out while you heat it. [7] X Research source
- Keep in mind, however, that bread does tend to get a bit chewy and spongy when you use the microwave to reheat it, rather than the oven, stove, or toaster.
- If you don’t have access to an oven, stove, or toaster, the microwave will work in a pinch, but your bread won’t get quite as crusty, and the texture may be a little chewier.
-
Microwave the bread in 10-second increments. It’s best to heat the bread for 10 seconds at a time to make sure you don’t overheat it. Check the bread’s temperature and texture between each 10-second increment, and replace the paper towel before starting the microwave again. [8] X Research source
-
Remove your bread from the microwave and enjoy. Once your bread is warm enough, take it out of the microwave, slice, and serve! [9] X Research source
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionHow long should I reheat my brown bread in a steamer?Community AnswerYou should reheat your brown bread in a steamer for about five minutes. This should not be too different from other types of bread.
-
QuestionHow do you make bruschetta with frozen French bread?Meagan JewettCommunity AnswerThaw the bread first so that you can slice it easily, then toast it and add your toppings.
-
QuestionWhat is the best way to rewarm French bread?Community AnswerYou can reheat the bread in a microwave. First, wrap the bread twice with paper towels, as this helps keep the moisture in. Second, heat for short periods of time. It is best to heat small pieces for 10 to 12 seconds for a 900 watt microwave. Be careful not to leave the bread in too long as it may harden when it cools.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
References
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-store-reheat-bread-advice-from-a-baker-175014
- ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-defrost-bread-thaw-step-by-step-article
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-store-reheat-bread-advice-from-a-baker-175014
- ↑ https://bakinghow.com/reheat-bread/
- ↑ https://bakinghow.com/reheat-bread/
- ↑ https://www.foodrepublic.com/1335186/absolute-best-way-toast-bread-without-toaster/
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/tip-how-to-warm-bread-in-the-m-48209
- ↑ https://www.instructables.com/3-Ways-to-Save-Stale-Bread/
- ↑ https://www.instructables.com/3-Ways-to-Save-Stale-Bread/
- ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/cooking-techniques/storing-bread-tips
- ↑ https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-I-store-bread
- ↑ https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-I-store-bread
- ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-keep-bread-fresh-article
- ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/help-around-the-kitchen/how-to-freeze-bread
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To reheat bread, first preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Then, wrap the bread in some foil and place it in the oven. Heat the bread for 10-15 minutes, and enjoy! To reheat bread on the stovetop, wrap the bread in aluminum foil, then place it in a pot. Cover the pot and heat it over low heat for about 5 minutes. If the bread still isn’t warm enough, heat it for another few minutes. To learn how to reheat bread on the stovetop, scroll down!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 656,959 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "Bought day-old bread at the grocery, added shredded cheese and butter. I just needed to know temp and time. It's awesome!" ..." more
Advertisement
"Bought day-old bread at the grocery, added shredded cheese and butter. I just needed to know temp and time. It's awesome!"
..."
more
"The tip of letting the bread's thickness determine the time spent in the oven was helpful."
