How To Microwave Bread: Best Ways To Make It Fresh And Hot
Do you have a stale bread that has long been sitting in the cupboard? Do you want to enjoy your bread fresh and hot all the time? If you are clueless about how to make this possible, keep on reading this post and I will let you know how to microwave bread properly.
As one of the staples in many homes, we tend to buy or make more than what can be realistically consumed at a time. When there are leftovers, you do not have to throw it away. Instead, you can keep it and reheat in the microwave and it will be ready.
A lot of people keep bread in the fridge or the freezer. This is one effective way to prolong its shelf life as it prevents the growth of mold. However, when it is cold, it is no longer as appetizing and its flavors will not be evident. Reheating it is the solution.
Reheating bread, however, is not as easy as it seems.There are specific steps that should be followed to make sure that the bread will end up being moist and fresh, as discussed in the rest of this post.
What You Will Need To Follow This Tutorial
Here are the items that you should have to follow the steps that will be discussed later:
- Bread
- Microwave
- Microwavable plate
- Paper towels
- Dish towel
Step-By-Step Guide On How To Microwave Bread
When reheating bread is done the wrong way, there is a tendency that it will dry out. And you certainly don’t want that to happen when you have impromptu sandwich cravings - for which you might need to know this delicious Rosemary Parmesan Bread Recipe. So anyway, here is what you should do to make any bread hot without drying it.
- In a microwavable plate, place several layers of clean paper towel.
- Choose a plate that is large enough for the bread. In the center, place a small bowl and have it filled with at least ¼ water.
- Place the bread in the bowl with water.
- Turn the microwave on, preferably at the lowest setting. Set the timer for at least 20 seconds if the bread is frozen. If it’s not, 10 seconds will be more than enough.
- Open the microwave and see if the bread is already warm as desired. If not, extend the reheating for five more seconds or until it feels as hot as you want it to be.
Aside from the steps mentioned above, here is another great solution to prevent dryness of bread after reheating:
- Apply water to a clean dish towel. Squeeze it out to remove any excess water. The goal is to make it wet but not soaked.
- Have the towel wrapped around the bread you plan to heat. Place it on a microwavable plate.
- Put the plate in the microwave and heat it for at least 10 seconds.
- Check the bread. Take out the cover and gently press it with your finger. If it does not feel hot enough, wrap it with the cloth and microwave again.
- Enjoy your bread while it is still hot.
A brown paper bag can also be used to heat your bread. Here is how this can be possible:
- Place the bread inside a paper bag. Make sure it is clean and there are no plastic parts.
- Spray water on the bag until it becomes wet. Like with what has been earlier mentioned, only wet it, but do not soak it with water.
- Place it in the microwave and heat for at least 20 seconds. If it is still not hot once time has lapsed, extend the heating period.
The discussions earlier were focused on how to reheat bread inside a microwave. Consequently, you can also make your own bread using a microwave and without a bread maker. Here is a short video that will tell you exactly how this can be done.
Pro Tips
Following the tips mentioned above will be a guarantee of having hot, fresh, and flavorful bread, even if the latter has been stored for quite some time. To make the bread even better-tasting, here are some of the tips you have to keep in mind:
- Different microwaves may have different power settings. Pay attention to this to avoid overheating your bread.
- If you are heating bread for 20 seconds, stop it after 10 seconds and turn the bread around. This makes sure that it will be heated evenly.
- It is best to reheat fewer pieces of bread at a time. Do not go over four pieces of bread.
- As much as possible, reheat bread only once. If you reheat it several times, a tendency to lose flavor and texture can also be negatively altered. It will no longer be fresh.
- More than proper reheating methods, you should also know how to store bread. If the latter is done the right way, it will be unlikely to go stale, and hence, it can still taste good after being reheated.
- Do not slice the bread before storing it. Once you slice the bread, its shelf life significantly lessens.
- If you are going to store it for a longer time, better keep it in the freezer. When doing so, on the other hand, see to it the bread will be wrapped properly to retain its moisture.
- It is best to enjoy your bread while it is hot, but not immediately. Like with steaks, you need to wait for a while before consuming it. As it cools down, the moisture will transfer from the interior all the way to the crust. Waiting for at least ten minutes is recommended before you eat your fresh bread.
- Not all types of bread can be reheated, especially if it has already gone bad. Pay attention to the visible signs of spoilage, such as the growth of mold. These are indications that you are better off throwing the bread than trying to reheat it.
- Storing the bread in sealed plastic will also help to retain moisture and freshness. If air penetrates, there is a higher likelihood for it to go bad.
- Also, to ensure freshness after reheating bread in the microwave, make sure it is stored at the right temperature. When holding bread, see to it you have clean hands. Or at least, you can consider using tongs. Dirt in your hand can be transferred on the bread and can spoil it quicker.
Conclusion
Now that you have reached the end of this post, I hope that you had valuable learnings about how to microwave bread. By following the steps mentioned above, you can store your bread longer and be assured it is still tasty once it has been reheated.
When reheating bread, the steps and tips mentioned above should be followed. This is to make sure the bread will retain its flavor and moisture. If it is done the wrong way, there is a tendency that the bread will end up being dry.
Did you enjoy reading this post? Is there anything else you would like to add? Feel free to share your opinions by leaving a comment below.