Traditional Italian bread has a crispy crust and a soft, doughy middle. When baked fresh, it has a very short shelf life. With no preservatives, it remains fresh for only a day or so before turning stale. After that, it can be used to make bruschetta or bread crumbs for use in a variety of dishes. Properly freezing and reheating your Italian bread can keep it soft and fresh for a much longer period of time.
Freeze Italian bread to keep it soft on the inside and crusty on the outside. First, wrap the bread in aluminum foil so it is completely covered and sealed. This traps moisture inside the bread and prevents it from escaping, reducing the likelihood of freezer burn.
Place the foil-wrapped bread into a zip-top freezer bag for extra moisture preservation and freezer-burn prevention. Squeeze out all the air, place the bag into the freezer and store it for as long as 3 months.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to reheat the bread. Remove the bread from the plastic freezer bag and place the loaf inside the oven with the foil still on. Heat for 5 to 10 minutes or until the bread is warm throughout.
Unwrap the bread, let it sit for a few minutes and serve. The crust will have returned to its original state, while the dough inside should be nearly as soft as the day it was baked.