• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Zest for Baking

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
    • Bagels
    • Biscuits
    • Bread Machine
    • Cake
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes
    • Donuts
    • Frostings
    • Muffins
    • Pancakes
    • Quick Bread
    • Rolls
    • Sandwich Bread
    • Scones
    • Snacks
    • Gluten Free Side Dishes
    • Waffles
    • Yeast Breads
  • Resources
    • Baking Tips
    • Gluten Free Flours
    • Using Substitutes
  • About
    • Contact
    • Get 15 Free Gluten Free Bread Recipes!
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
  • Classes & Books
×

How to Store Gluten Free Bread so that it Doesn’t Dry Out

By Christine February 15, 2016 Updated May 9, 2016 8 Comments

 

If you’ve been making or buying gluten free bread for any time, then you know how it has a tendency to dry out rather quickly. Regardless of the brand or how you make it, GF bread just does not stay fresh for very long.

It can be so frustrating especially when you have a great, freshly baked loaf of bread or rolls and by the next day, they are dry and crumbly. So what’s the best way to store gluten free bread so that it doesn’t dry out?

This is the next post in our Your Gluten Free Bread Baking Questions, Answered series. If you missed the first few, check them out below.

How to Make Gluten Free Bread without Xanthan Gum

Why does my Gluten Free Bread have a Gummy Texture?

Your Gluten Free Bread Baking Problems, Answered

So are there any tricks to keeping bread from getting stale? I’d like to think I’ve got a few up my sleeve.

How to store gluten free bread so that it doesn’t dry out

Why it happens

In a nutshell, gluten free bread dries out quickly because it doesn’t have the protein (gluten) that would keep it moist and tender. Gluten adds structure to breads. It gives them elasticity and tenderness that is tough to mimic. So that’s why breads made without it tend to dry out fast.

The Solution

Even though breads made without gluten will inevitably lose their tenderness and freshness, there are certain things you can do to preserve it.

Here are a few things to try:

Use a breadbox

store gluten free bread breadbox

A Breadbox is one of the greatest things you can buy / invest in for gluten free breads. Whether store bought or homemade bread, storing it in a breadbox will help preserve the freshness and keep it from drying out. Here is a great option for an eye catching breadbox. Believe me, you'll wonder how baked without one!

Wait until its completely cool to slice

This can be such a tough one to follow, but trust me, it will make a world of difference in your breads. Let the loaf cool completely before slicing in to it, because otherwise, the shape will sink and the moisture level dips.

Store it with the cut side down

In your breadbox, when you do want to store the bread, place the cut side down to stop the air from getting to it too much.

Don't use a plastic bag

store gluten free bread in a breadkeeper

Breadboxes are ideal, but a second option would be a plastic container. Something like a Tupperware container would fit the bill nicely. This storage method is good for bread that you’ll eat within 3 days. Any longer than that and you’ll need to freeze it.

Wrap it well for freezing

Here’s a hint with freezing, rather than freeze the whole loaf, freeze slices. Slice the loaf of bread and wrap each slice well, then place in the freezer. That way you can use one slice at a time.

Avoid the refrigerator

The refrigerator will dry out gluten free bread very quickly. It may keep any sign of moldy bread away, but you’ll sacrifice your fresh bread in the process.

The biggest thing to keep in mind with storing your gluten free bread, is that there is a very short window of time that you’ll be working with. These tips above will help prolong it, but it will have a shorter lifespan no matter what.

Think of your bread like a lovely treat... Fresh is best, after a few days, it loses its luster.

Make sure to sign up to our gluten free bread email list below - I want to hear from you!

And have you gotten your copy of my cookbook yet?!

Filed Under: Baking Tips, Gluten Free FAQs, Gluten Free Products Tagged With: breadbox, breads, freezing, plastic containers, rolls, store gluten free bread

Reader Interactions

Previous Post How to Make Gluten Free Bread without Xanthan Gum
Next Post Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Muffins with a Nutty Streusel Topping

Comments

  1. Angelica

    November 06, 2019 at 3:52 am

    Another thing is, use a lot more ground flax seed than you think you need. You won't be able to taste it unless the flax is already "off" in which case you shouldn't use it anyway. I've had homemade GF bread in the fridge for 5 days before it went stiffer, but still not "stale."

    Reply
    • Christine

      November 06, 2019 at 1:46 pm

      Hi Angelica,

      Good point - I definitely use quite a bit here!

      Thanks for your comment!

      Christine

      Reply
  2. Becky

    February 15, 2020 at 8:28 pm

    Hi im DF SF GF do you have any recipes for bread rolls English muffins in bread machine and oven that are easy and quick. Thank you very much

    Reply
    • Christine

      February 17, 2020 at 8:25 am

      Hi Becky,

      I have an English muffin recipe here: https://zestforbaking.com/step-by-step-to-the-best-gluten-free-english-muffins and you could try substituting vegan butter and then use almond milk for the milk.

      Hope that helps!

      ~Christine

      Reply
  3. Cynthia

    October 15, 2020 at 3:34 pm

    I noticed you do not use a bread machine is there a way to do gluten-free bread in a electric bread machine

    Reply
    • Christine

      October 15, 2020 at 3:57 pm

      Hi Cynthia,

      Sure, I do have a few bread machine recipes... this is one of my favorites https://zestforbaking.com/gluten-free-bread-machine-cinnamon-raisin-bread (here's the category for bread machine if you'd like a few more https://zestforbaking.com/category/gluten-free-bread-machine)

      Hope that helps!

      Christine

      Reply
  4. Karen

    October 24, 2020 at 9:34 am

    May I use rice milk, coconut milk or oat milk in place of almond milk as one of my family members is almond intolerant?
    Thank you for your response!

    Reply
    • Christine

      October 26, 2020 at 9:08 am

      Hi Karen,

      Yes, either one of those will work!

      Hope that helps!

      Christine

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Christine, a gluten free baker living in sunny Texas! Zest for Baking is where you'll find gluten free (and dairy free) recipes, tips for substituting ingredients and help navigating the world of gluten free baking.

Gluten Free Baking Help

brown rice flour in a measuring cup.

Top 5 Brown Rice Flour Substitutes

collection of baked goods pics

Best Gluten Free Baking Recipes of 2021

spoon up close of sour cream

Ingredient Question: Is Sour Cream Gluten Free?

up close shot of xanthan gum in a spoon

Is Xanthan Gum a Substitute for Baking Powder?

jar of gluten free flour

How Long Does Flour Last? {Storage Tips & Signs of Spoilage}

bowl of sorghum flour on a wooden board

5 Reasons Why You'll Love Baking with Sorghum Flour

Start Here

New to Gluten Free?

Gluten Free Recipes

Spring Baking!

4 stacked oat flour brownies on a white plate

Oat Flour Brownies

up close stack of cookies

Gluten Free Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

side shot of bite of pie

Gluten Free Apple Pie {Dairy Free}

up close shot of apple crisp

Gluten Free Apple Crisp {Dairy Free}

side shot of a bite of pie

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie {Dairy Free}

side shot of an unfilled pie

Easy Gluten Free Pie Crust {Dairy Free}

More Baking Recipes

Reader's Favorite Roll Recipes

inside of a cinnamon roll on a white plate

Gluten Free No Yeast Cinnamon Rolls

gluten free cinnamon rolls on a white plate

Best Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls: Extra Fluffy & Extra Easy

gluten free yeast rolls ready in under an hour sliced on a plate

Gluten Free Yeast Rolls in Under an Hour

gluten free potato rolls after baking, sitting in a pan

Gluten Free Potato Rolls

Gluten free crescent rolls sitting in a basket

Buttery Gluten Free Crescent Rolls

gluten free hot cross buns on a cookie sheet

Gluten Free Hot Cross Buns (With Dairy Free Option)

More Roll Recipes

Footer

↑ back to top

Featured On

About

Since 2013, Christine has been creating delicious gluten free baking recipes that no one would guess are actually gluten free. Her Zest For Baking recipes have been featured on The Daily Meal, Bloglovin' and Dr. Axe, to name a few. When she's not hanging out on Facebook or sharing pictures on Instagram or pinning on Pinterest, you can find her in her kitchen, creating more ZestForBaking.com recipes!

Favorites

  • Flaky Buttery Gluten Free Biscuits
  • Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Artisan Bread
  • The Best Gluten Free English Muffins

Copyright © 2022 | Zest For Baking | Privacy Policy 

  • 30