Before you toss a loaf of hard, crusty bread in the trash, try bringing it back to life. As bread bakes in the oven, water weakens starch bonds, softening the bread. As soon as the bread begins to cool, the starch bonds reform and, over time, the bread hardens -- and then hardens some more. Moistening the crust and popping the bread back in the oven refreshes the texture.
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 370 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2
Sprinkle the bread with water or rub an ice cube over the crust to moisten the crust.
Step 3
Set the loaf of bread directly on the oven rack.
Step 4
Bake the bread for from 12 to 15 minutes; check the bread periodically once the time approaches 12 minutes to make sure it doesn't start to burn or get hard again. Once you've softened the bread, use it immediately.
Related Articles
How to Make Toasted Bread Sticks With ...
How Many Calories in Gluten-Free Bread?
How to Freeze Brioche
How Long Does Banana Bread Stay Fresh?
Calories in Bread Pudding
How to Egg Wash a Loaf of Challah Bread
How to Make Tomato Bruschetta
How to Substitute Wheat Germ for Flour
How to Clean Scuffed Up Rain Boots
How to Make Bread Sticks Out of Pizza ...
How to Make Soft Bread Crumbs
How Long Does It Take to Cook Linguine?
How to Serve Ciabatta Bread
How to Blanch & Peel Hazelnuts
Can You Substitute Yogurt for Milk in ...
Can You Deep-Fry Frozen Uncooked Shrimp?
How to Prepare French Toast in Advance
How to Bake Boneless Skinless Tilapia
Yogurt Face Mask for Acne
Mom’s Classic Make-Ahead Bread Stuffing
References
Tips
- Baking temperatures and times vary depending on the individual oven. While one oven may soften the bread in 12 minutes, another may require 15 minutes and a temperature of 400 F. Some experimentation may be necessary.
Warnings
- Do not refresh overly hard bread in the microwave. Microwaving gives bread a leathery texture.
Writer Bio
Jonae Fredericks started writing in 2007. She also has a background as a licensed cosmetologist and certified skin-care specialist. Jonae Fredericks is a certified paraeducator, presently working in the public education system.
Photo Credits
Martin Poole/Photodisc/Getty Images