How To Soften Hard Bread (2024)

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How To Soften Hard Bread (1)

What can you do with a rock-hard loaf of bread? Besides using it as a doorstop, there are countless recipes that take advantage of stale bread — or you can use one of these simple techniques to soften it quickly…

In the oven: Preheat oven to 200° or Warm setting. Wrap the bread in a damp (not soaking) towel, place on a baking sheet, and pop it in the oven for 5-10 minutes.

In the microwave: Wrap the bread in a damp (not soaking) towel, place it on a microwave-safe dish, and microwave on high for 10 seconds. Check and repeat if necessary.

In both cases, keep a close eye things so the bread doesn’t overcook and the towel doesn’t catch fire!

Do you have any other tips for softening hard bread?

(Image: Emily Ho)

How To Soften Hard Bread (2024)

FAQs

How To Soften Hard Bread? ›

In the oven: Preheat oven to 200° or Warm setting. Wrap the bread in a damp (not soaking) towel, place on a baking sheet, and pop it in the oven for 5-10 minutes. In the microwave: Wrap the bread in a damp (not soaking) towel, place it on a microwave-safe dish, and microwave on high for 10 seconds.

How do you soften hard bread? ›

The trick is to heat the bread up so that water can be reabsorbed into the starch granules once again so it can revert to its springy, fresh-bread state. Now, if you have sliced bread you want to do this too. You can simply pop it into the toaster for a few seconds.

How can I make my bread softer? ›

To reach moist bread you need to make sure your bread is not over-proofed, be sure to hydrate it enough during the bake until it developed a thick crust, ingredients wise it's recommended to use whole grain flour, add special fruity ingredients to give your loaf more moisture and last let it cool down completely before ...

How to make bread soft again without an oven? ›

Step 2: Microwave Method
  1. Moisten a section of paper towel long enough to completely cover your loaf of bread (or the portion that you intend to eat). ...
  2. Wrap your portion of bread in your damp paper towel snuggly.
  3. Place your covered loaf or slice into your microwave.
  4. Microwave for 10 seconds.

How do you make bread soft and warm again? ›

Even stale bread can be rejuvenated by heating, but only once, usually. Soft sandwich bread or rolls: Wrap with aluminum foil, a paper bag lightly moistened with water spray, or a damp kitchen towel and place in a 350F oven for 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the package being reheated and its surface area.

What makes bread tender and soft? ›

Usually it's gluten (a product of the protein in flour) that determines bread's texture. Bread where gluten plays a prominent role will be chewier. When the gluten level is lower, or when gluten is tamed by the addition of “softeners” like milk, butter, eggs, or oil, the bread will be more tender.

What additive keeps bread soft? ›

By using emulsifiers, we keep the bread softer and more enjoyable to eat, even after it has been stored for some time. An example is our MASEMUL® EB 1005 emulsifier blend, which functions as a bread texture softener and dough strengthener.

Does baking soda soften bread? ›

It helps to make these soft and spongy. An aqueous solution of baking soda turns red litmus blue. It is also used in soda acid fire extinguisher.

Does milk make bread softer? ›

The fat and lactose in milk help with tenderizing the crumb of the bread making it softer and sweeter. The crust of the bread also gets more caramelization. Be aware that bread made with milk should not be baked at too high of a temperature to prevent it from browning too much too soon.

Can you microwave bread to soften it? ›

All you need to do is place your bread inside a damp paper towel, and microwave it on a plate for 10 seconds. The water will revive the starch molecules in the bread's flour, the reaction between the two will occur again, and you'll have your soft bread back.

How do you moisten already baked bread? ›

Reheat in the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle a little water over the stale bread, wrap it in aluminum foil, and place it in the oven for 10-15 minutes. This will help to moisten the bread and make it soft and fresh again.

What is the secret to softer bread? ›

The Magic Behind Soft Bread
  1. Oil or Butter: These fats coat the flour proteins, leading to a tender crumb. ...
  2. Sugar: Not only does it sweeten the bread, but sugar also retains moisture. ...
  3. Baking Soda: When added, especially in recipes with acidic ingredients, it can make bread soft and spongy.
Sep 26, 2023

Can hard bread be made soft again? ›

If you want to make stale bread soft again, wrap the bread in foil. If the crust of the bread is very hard, sprinkle a little water on the outside before you close the foil. Place the bread in a 300°F oven for 5-15 minutes or until the bread feels soft. If you added water, heat the bread until it no longer feels soggy.

Does microwaving hard bread soften it? ›

All you need to do is place your bread inside a damp paper towel, and microwave it on a plate for 10 seconds. The water will revive the starch molecules in the bread's flour, the reaction between the two will occur again, and you'll have your soft bread back.

What can I do with rock hard bread? ›

Of course there are plenty of delicious things to make with a loaf of stale bread: French toast, croutons, breadcrumbs and bread pudding are just a few of them.

Why is my bread so hard after baking? ›

Baking quick breads at too high temperatures can cause a hard outside crust. Most quick breads bake in a moderate oven (350°F to 375°F). Double check your recipe to see the temperature they recommend. Oven thermostats can vary over time, requiring adjustments by the baker or calibration by a professional.

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