You just turned those too-ripe bananas into a delicious loaf of homemade banana bread and now you're wondering if it's okay to leave it out overnight. Or perhaps you're wondering the best way to freeze your fresh-baked loaf. This guide explains everything you need to know about how to store banana bread - and other quick breads - so your loaves stay fresh and perfectly moist for days!
Banana bread is one of my favorite things to bake. It's super easy, there's no waiting around for yeast to rise, and the whole family loves it! There's a reason it's my #1 recommended recipe to bake with toddlers!
Luckily, banana bread is just as simple to store as it is to bake!
Proper storage is the secret to keeping banana bread and other quick breads fresh and moist for days. Learn how to store banana bread so that your homemade loaf will stay fresh for nearly a week, and you'll never have to be disappointed that your quick bread dried out or got moldy before you could finishing it.
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The Best Way to Store Homemade Banana Bread
The best way to store banana bread or other quick breads depends on how long you need to store it.
If you need to store your loaf for up to 5 days, storing at room temperature is the way to go. (This assumes that the bread doesn't include any mix-ins that require refrigeration, such as a swirl of cream cheese. If that is the case, check out the notes for refrigerating your loaf.)
If your bread includes mix-ins that require refrigeration, you'll need to store the loaf in the fridge for up to 5 days.
If you'll be storing the loaf for more than 5 days, you'll want to freeze it to lock in moisture and freshness.
Regardless of how you plan to store your quick bread, be sure that the loaf is completely cooled before packaging and storing it.
Keep reading to learn how to store banana bread at room temperature, in the fridge, and in the freezer.
Does this banana bread talk have you craving quick bread? Me too! Some of my favorites are this insanely easy homemade banana bread, cranberry walnut bread (this goes viral on Pinterest every holiday season!), cinnamon applesauce bread with streusel (makes your house smell incredible!), and chocolate chip zucchini bread (the best way to use up summer zucchinis).
Equipment Needed
Here's what you'll need for storing banana bread and other quick breads:
- For Room Temperature Storage: A storage container that seals but is not airtight OR a plastic food storage bag and 2 sheets of paper towel
- For Refrigerator Storage: A plastic food storage bag and 2 sheets of paper towel
- For Freezer Storage: Plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and a plastic food storage bag
Storing Banana Bread at Room Temperature
Banana bread will stay fresh at room temperature - properly sealed and out of direct sunlight - for up to 5 days.
Remember that banana bread - and most other quick breads - contain a lot of moisture. When storing these breads, the goal is to keep them fresh without trapping too much moisture in the storage container, since this can cause mold to grow more quickly.
My preferred way to store banana bread at room temperature is to place it in a sealed (not airtight) container on the counter. I use a plastic bread box, which allows a bit of air around the bread to keep it from becoming overly moist but not so much air that the bread dries out. Any sealable container that's larger than the loaf of bread should do the trick.
If you prefer not to use a bread box or storage container, another option is to seal the loaf inside a plastic food storage bag with 2 sheets of paper towel, one below and one on top of the loaf inside the bag. The paper towel will absorb any excess moisture, and you may want to replace it after 2 to 3 days.
Storing Banana Bread in the Refrigerator
Unless your banana bread includes a mix-in requiring refrigeration, such as a swirl of cream cheese, I do not recommend storing banana bread in the fridge.The inside of your refrigerator is a very dry environment, and quick breads and cakes stored in the fridge will dry out more quickly.
If you must store your bread in the fridge, seal it in an airtight container or plastic bag along with two pieces of paper towel (one on top of and one below the loaf). Enjoy the loaf within 4 to 5 days. For best flavor, let the bread come to room temperature before eating.
Storing Banana Bread in the Freezer
One of the many reasons to love banana breads and other quick breads is because they freeze really well, making them a great make-ahead treat.
Banana bread that's properly sealed will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To store quick breads in the freezer, first wrap the completely cooled loaf with plastic wrap followed by a layer or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped loaf into an airtight container or plastic food storage bag and seal it before placing into the freezer.
If you'll want to thaw individual slices of bread rather than the whole loaf at once, wrap each individual slice in plastic and foil before sealing in a container or bag.
To thaw frozen banana bread, let the bread sit at room temperature in side it's wrapping. Once fully thawed, slice and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
Save the End Slice - I always save the end slice that I first cut off a loaf. After cutting and enjoying a few slices, I place the end slice against the remaining loaf when storing, so that the two cut sides are together and minimizing the amount of air that touches the bread.
Avoid Slicing the Bread Before Storing - If possible, only cut slices of bread as you plan to eat it, since slices will lose their freshness more quickly than a loaf when stored.
Toast Your Bread - If your bread is still okay to eat but has become a bit more dry than you'd like, toast it! Lightly toasted banana bread is absolutely delicious. Bonus points if you spread it with a smear of peanut butter (or whatever nut/seed butter you like)!
Reuse Plastic Storage Bags - Plastic storage bags that are used to store quick breads in the freezer can be reused many times. Since the bread is sealed in plastic wrap and foil before it's placed into the bags, keeping the bags clean, I keep a stash of these clean bags in my freezer and reuse them over and over for storing foods like this. It's one way that I try to limit my use of single-use plastic.
FAQs
Yes, banana bread can be stored in a Ziploc bag. Place a sheet of paper towel under the loaf and another sheet on top inside the bag to absorb any extra moisture. Alternatively, you can store banana bread is a sealed (not airtight) container.
No, banana bread does not need to be refrigerated. In fact, the fridge will dry out quick breads more quickly, so it's best to store banana bread and other quick breads either at room temperature or in the freezer. The only exception would be if your banana bread includes a mix-in that requires refrigeration.
Absolutely, banana bread freezes beautifully! Once the loaf is completely cooled, wrap it in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil to seal the loaf. Place the wrapped loaf into an airtight storage container or plastic food storage bag, seal, and freeze for up to 3 months.
The choice is up to you! If you'll want to thaw individual slices rather than the entire loaf, freeze the slices individually. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil, then seal the wrapped slices in an airtight container or plastic food storage bag. If you'll be thawing the full loaf at once, then it's best to leave the loaf whole, wrap it just as you would the slices, seal it in a container or bag, and freeze.
More Baking Tips
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