Banana bread - what’s not to love about this moist, sweet loaf packed with punchy banana flavor?
It’s so easy to whip up for even those who aren’t avid bakers. Gorge on it for breakfast or an afternoon snack, or pack it in the picnic basket - this timeless treat never disappoints.
So what do you do when you’ve baked or bought yourself a batch that's too big to eat in one sitting?
Should you refrigerate it, freeze it, or leave it on the countertop? Simply scroll down, as we have all the answers right here in this blog.
Table of Contents
How Long Does Banana Bread Last?
Your banana bread loaf can last anywhere from a few days to many months. It all depends on the storage conditions and the container. As far as the storage environment goes, it is best to steer clear of trapped air and excess moisture.
Too much air quickly dries out the bread at room temperature. Meanwhile, in freezing conditions, air can also cause freezer burn and staleness.
With the right storage strategy, banana bread can stay fresh on the countertop for up to four days and for up to a week in the fridge.
However, with a bit of prepping, freezing, and thawing, a banana bread loaf can be well-deserving for a spot on your dinner table even after a year.
That said, regardless of the storage method you pick, if you notice mold growth, slime, or freezer burn, it’s best to throw the bread away.
How to Properly Cool Banana Bread Before Storing?
Whether you’re planning to eat it right away or store it for later, cooling banana bread once it’s out of the oven ensures it doesn’t become soggy or turn into a breeding ground for bacteria.
The step is particularly important if you’re prepping to store it. Skipping this step and wrapping the hot and freshly baked loaf will cause condensation because of the trapped heat.
The excess moisture can lead the bread to become moldy in storage. Instead, allow it to fully cool at room temperature at about 70 degrees F for a couple of hours. Cooling the bread also makes it last longer on the countertop.
How to Store Banana Bread at Room Temperature
If you’re set on polishing off the freshly baked banana bread within three to four days, look no further than the countertop.
The high sugar and fat content of banana bread makes it fare better at room temperature than sourdoughs or baguettes. But make sure the spot you choose for storage is cool, dry, and away from sunlight.
There are two storage hacks that you can try out to keep the bread moist and fresh on a countertop.
First off, you can place it in an airtight container wrapped in plastic. But if you want to avoid plastic (and we strongly recommend that you do!), then swapping it with a reusable linen bread bag or paper towel will work perfectly.
The benefit of a linen bread bag is that it helps stay moist by letting the bread breathe while also absorbing the excess moisture. Close the bag with drawstrings and put it in the bread box.
If you’re opting for paper towels, then place one towel at the bottom of the container, put the cooled loaf on top, and then cover it with another towel.
How to Refrigerate Banana Bread
If you want to enjoy the banana bread for longer but don’t want to go through the hassle of freezing it, then consider refrigerating it.
Some may argue that the chilly environment of a fridge will dry out the bread soon, impacting its flavor and texture in comparison to room temperature storage.
Well, we aren’t exactly disputing that, but a fridge will prevent mold and keep the banana bread consumable for longer.
Follow these steps to store your homemade banana bread in the refrigerator:
Step 1: Take any airtight container and line it with a flour sack kitchen towel or a paper towel. You can also use a linen bread bag.
Step 2: Place the banana bread on the towel and cover it with another towel. Make sure the loaf is fully cooled. Wrapping the loaf will prevent it from soaking up odors and going stale.
Step 3: Secure the contents by sealing the lid to minimize exposure to air.
This method will extend the shelf life to about a week. Enjoy the stored bread cold with some butter or warm a slice or two in the toaster or oven.
Quick tip: If your bread is gluten-free or made with whole wheat, it needs to be refrigerated immediately. This is because gluten-free and whole-grain baked goodies tend to go stale quicker than their gluten-rich or white flour counterparts.
Related Article: Top Refrigerator Organization & Storage Ideas
How to Freeze Banana Bread
If you’ve somehow managed to fight the temptation to gobble up your banana bread and want to save it for later (and we mean months later), then a freezer is your best bet.
Serve your perfectly stored and thawed banana bread with a touch of elegance!
Pro Tip - Pair it with our plaid cloth napkins for a delightful and eco-friendly dining experience. Shop now and elevate your table setting!
Freezing the loaf can extend the shelf life of this delicious treat for up to a year. Here’s what you need to do to make it happen:
Whole or Sliced
The first question you should ask yourself before freezing the bread is how long you want it to be stored. If you plan on eating the bread soon, store it sliced for convenience. This way, you can thaw it quicker and more evenly than whole loaves.
However, sliced bread is more prone to freezer burn. That’s why keeping the bread as a whole loaf is a good idea if you’re planning to store it for more than a few weeks.
Sliced: If you’re storing pre-cut slices of banana bread, here’s what you need to do: line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread out the slices on it. Now, flash-freeze them till they are frozen solid.
Next, wrap each slice separately and transfer the slices to an airtight container or freezer bag. This method works because sliced banana bread freezes faster and more evenly, not to mention how convenient it is.
Grab a slice, thaw, and eat as and when you please.
Whole: Tightly wrap the whole loaf in foil, plastic, or parchment paper and store it in a zip-top bag or airtight container.
Squeeze out as much air as possible and plop it in the freezer. While freezing a whole loaf is easier, thawing it is far trickier.
Wrapped Tightly
A surefire way to avoid the nasty freezer burn is wrapping the loaf so snugly that there’s no extra air on its surface. Make sure the banana bread has been cooled at room temperature.
Next, wrap the bread in plastic or aluminum foil. If you want to avoid plastic and foil, you could go ahead and wrap it in parchment paper.
No matter what material you use, wrap it around the bread multiple times to create a thick layer for extra protection.
Place it in a Sealed Container
Choose a container or bag that’s sealable and designed specifically for freezer storage. Place the wrapped bread inside the container and seal it shut.
Label the Bread
To avoid your banana bread from getting lost in a sea of freezer containers and bags, label it.
Mention the contents and the date you baked the bread before putting it in the freezer.
This way, you’ll know exactly which container to grab and how long the bread has been in the freezer.
Related Article: How to Store Veggies in the Fridge - to keep them farm fresh.
How to Thaw Banana Bread
To enjoy the bread in all its delicious glory, consume it within the first few months of freezing. The more you delay, the higher the chances of the bread developing ice crystals and discoloration.
You can thaw a frozen loaf by moving it to the refrigerator section and leaving it there overnight.
If you can’t wait that long, throw it in an oven set to about 350 degrees F for 45 to 60 minutes. Letting it sit out on the counter for about four hours should also work just fine.
To thaw sliced banana bread, remove the desired number of slices from the freezer bag and defrost them in a toaster oven or an air fryer. You can speed up the process by microwaving the slices for 30 seconds.
On the countertop, a slice of banana bread can take about 20 to 30 minutes to defrost.
Final Thoughts
For something as lip-smacking as banana bread, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where you wouldn’t want just to eat it all up right away.
However, if you find yourself with a surplus after a visit to the baker’s or have baked a rather large batch, use any of the organic storage solutions including linen bread bags, canvas grocery tote bags, and reusable mesh produce bags to keep your bread tasting fresh.