Expert Shares Best Way to Store Bread and Use Stale Loaves

Avoid the fridge to keep bread fresh longer, and learn how to repurpose stale bread.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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An expert baker explains the best way to store fresh bread to maintain its texture and flavor, which is to keep it at room temperature and out of the fridge. The fridge actually speeds up the staling process. For bread that has gone stale, there are several recipes that can breathe new life into it, like bread pudding and homemade croutons.

Why it matters

Many people mistakenly store fresh bread in the fridge, which can lead to it going stale faster. Knowing the proper storage methods can help consumers keep their bread fresh for longer. Additionally, learning how to repurpose stale bread into new dishes can reduce food waste.

The details

According to Jonathan Davis, an expert baker and VP of R&D at La Brea Bakery, the number one mistake people make is storing fresh bread in the refrigerator. The cold temperatures cause the starch molecules to crystallize, resulting in a dry, crunchy loaf. Instead, Davis recommends storing bread at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and excess moisture. He says fresh bread should be consumed within 2-3 days of purchase before the texture and freshness start to decline. For bread that has gone stale, there are still uses for it, like bread pudding, panzanella salad, and homemade croutons and breadcrumbs.

  • Freshly baked bread should be consumed within 2-3 days of purchase.

The players

Jonathan Davis

An expert baker, author, and Vice President of R&D and culinary innovation at La Brea Bakery in Los Angeles.

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What they’re saying

“When storing bread, the number one thing you should not do is put it in the refrigerator. This is because the temperature and environment of a refrigerator can actually expedite the staling process and will not keep it fresh.”

— Jonathan Davis, Vice President of R&D and culinary innovation (realsimple.com)

The takeaway

Proper bread storage techniques, like keeping it at room temperature and out of the fridge, can help consumers enjoy fresh bread for longer. And for bread that does go stale, there are plenty of creative ways to repurpose it into new dishes to reduce food waste.