The Best Ways to Warm Up French Bread

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Reheat a fresh loaf of bread without affecting its taste or texture
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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!

Section 1 of 5:

Reheating Bread Using the Oven

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  1. 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]
    • 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.
  2. 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]
    • 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!
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  3. 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]
  4. 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.
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Section 2 of 5:

Reheating Bread Using the Stovetop

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  1. This will help it heat evenly and protect it from getting burned during the reheating process. [4]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Reheat Bread
    Use the smallest possible pot that will still comfortably hold the bread, then place the lid on the pot.
  3. 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]
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Section 3 of 5:

Making Toast with a Toaster or Oven

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Reheat 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.
  2. 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!
  3. 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]
    • 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.
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Section 4 of 5:

Reheating Bread in the Microwave

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Reheat Bread
    This will keep the bread from losing too much moisture and drying out while you heat it. [7]
    • 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.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Reheat Bread
    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]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Reheat Bread
    Once your bread is warm enough, take it out of the microwave, slice, and serve! [9]
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Section 5 of 5:

Tips for Keeping Bread Fresh

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Reheat Bread
    If you’re planning on storing your fresh bread at room temperature, it’s best to place it in a paper bag, rather than a plastic one. This allows the bread to breathe, which helps preserve its texture and freshness. A plastic bag, on the other hand, can actually encourage mold growth and cause the bread to spoil faster. [10]
    • This goes for crusty loaves of bread, like French bread, baguettes, and sourdough. For soft breads, like whole wheat bread or sandwich bread, plastic bags should work just fine.
    • Keep the bread out of direct sunlight to prevent moisture from accumulating, which can cause mold to grow.
    • It’s best to eat a loaf of bread that’s being stored at room temperature within a few days. This ensures the best flavor and texture. [11]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Reheat Bread
    Putting your loaf of bread in the fridge should extend its shelf-life from 2-4 days up to 7-14 days. So, if you don’t plan on eating your bread right away, the fridge is the way to go! [12]
  3. Place the bread in a freezer bag, and squeeze out as much of the air as possible. [13] This helps prevent freezer burn and loss of flavor. If you want to be extra careful, you can even wrap the loaf of bread tightly in plastic cling wrap before placing it in your Ziploc bag. [14]
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  • Question
    How long should I reheat my brown bread in a steamer?
    Community Answer
    You should reheat your brown bread in a steamer for about five minutes. This should not be too different from other types of bread.
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  • Question
    How do you make bruschetta with frozen French bread?
    Meagan Jewett
    Community Answer
    Thaw the bread first so that you can slice it easily, then toast it and add your toppings.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    What is the best way to rewarm French bread?
    Community Answer
    You 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-store-reheat-bread-advice-from-a-baker-175014
      2. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-defrost-bread-thaw-step-by-step-article
      3. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-store-reheat-bread-advice-from-a-baker-175014
      4. ↑ https://bakinghow.com/reheat-bread/
      5. ↑ https://bakinghow.com/reheat-bread/
      6. ↑ https://www.foodrepublic.com/1335186/absolute-best-way-toast-bread-without-toaster/
      7. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/tip-how-to-warm-bread-in-the-m-48209
      8. ↑ https://www.instructables.com/3-Ways-to-Save-Stale-Bread/
      9. ↑ https://www.instructables.com/3-Ways-to-Save-Stale-Bread/
      1. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/cooking-techniques/storing-bread-tips
      2. ↑ https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-I-store-bread
      3. ↑ https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-I-store-bread
      4. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-keep-bread-fresh-article
      5. ↑ 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!

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