Ah, banana bread. It's the ultimate comfort baked good—especially when it's warm from the oven. But if you happen to have a leftover slice or five, you're probably wondering how to store banana bread to help preserve some of that just baked goodness.
5 Foolproof Tips to Bake Even Better Banana Bread
The good news? There are several great options for storing banana bread, depending on how long you need to keep it fresh. Get the scoop on your options, and how to get that fresh-baked vibe even if you have to store your banana bread in the deep freeze.
Key Banana Bread Storage Tips
No matter how you decide to store your banana bread, you need to be mindful of two different things: air and excess moisture. Trapped air around your banana bread can lead to stale, dried-out banana bread when it's stored at room temperature, and freezer burn when it's in the freezer. Excess moisture (i.e. condensation from storing banana bread that's not fully cooled) can lead to a slimy exterior and encourage the growth of mold on your banana bread.
To avoid these issues, make sure your banana bread is thoroughly cooled to room temperature before you store it, so condensation doesn't form. You'll also want to use storage methods that limit air around your banana bread, such as a tight layer of plastic wrap or a zip-top storage bag that lets you push as much air as possible out of the bag.
How to Store Banana Bread at Room Temperature
Banana bread can stay fresh at room temperature for three days, if stored in a cool dry place. You can try one of a few different methods for storage:
- Plastic wrap and an airtight container. Wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap, and store it in an airtight container.
- Paper towels and an airtight container. Swath your loaf in paper towels to help keep air from the surface and help get rid of any excess moisture—eliminating the mold issue. Place the loaf in an airtight container to keep it from going stale.
How to Store Banana Bread in the Refrigerator
If you need your loaf to last a little longer, but don't want to put it in the deep freeze, storing banana bread in the fridge is another possibility. You'll want to be sure it's well wrapped to avoid having it soak in any odors from your fridge or dry out. Again, wrapping it in plastic wrap or in an airtight container or bag will help, especially if you're able to avoid exposing the banana bread surface to air.
Here's Why You Should Never Keep Your Bread in the Fridge
Banana bread can last for up to a week in the fridge. (If nobody gobbles it up first!)
How to Freeze Banana Bread
If you want to store banana bread for a while, the freezer is the way to go. (And on the plus side: You can store either baked banana bread or the batter itself in the freezer for later.)
Can You Freeze Banana Bread?
To properly store banana bread in the freezer, you'll want to wrap it tightly to avoid allowing air along its surface, which will cause the dreaded freezer burn. Use wrappings and storage containers that are made for the freezer, as they're thicker and can protect your banana bread from odors and damage from other items in the freezer.
You may want to double (or even triple) up on the wrapping here, with a layer of plastic wrap close to the surface, a layer of aluminum foil to protect it, and then placing the banana bread in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Banana bread will do just fine for months in the freezer, but enjoy it within the first few months of freezing for the best quality.
How to Warm Up Banana Bread
You can re-create that fresh from the oven vibe by warming up your banana bread. For room temperature or refrigerated banana bread, a few minutes in the toaster oven or regular oven at 350 degrees should do it.
If your banana bread feels a little stale—despite your best efforts—microwave it for 20 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel to help revive it.
If you're trying to heat up banana bread fresh from the freezer, use the oven. It'll take about 10 minutes to warm up a frozen slice of banana bread, and about 45 minutes for a full loaf.
