How to Reheat French Bread in the Oven, on the Stove & More (2024)

Co-authored byAnnabelle ReyesReviewed byMarrow Private Chefs

Last Updated: June 17, 2024Fact Checked

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How to Warm French Bread in the Oven

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   Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). This is the best temperature for reheating bread. A hotter temperature could cause the bread to burn quickly, and a lower temperature would require a longer cooking time, resulting in dry bread. If you want a soft interior with a chewy crust, 350℉ (175℃) is definitely the way to go!^[1]

   • It's better to slice the bread after reheating rather than slicing it beforehand. Sliced bread will heat quickly and become hard and crunchy if you're not careful.
   • However, if you want to make bread crumbs or croutons, you can slice or dice the bread. Toss the bread cubes with some melted butter, a dash of salt and pepper and some garlic powder before baking, and you'll end up with a delicious topping for your salad.
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   Wrap the bread in foil. This will protect the crust from getting burned while the inside of the bread heats. If you try to reheat it unwrapped, the crust could overcook and turn out too hard.^[2]

   • However, if you do like your crust a little crispy, remove the foil a minute or two early and continue baking without it.
   • Just make sure to keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn’t get too well-done!

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   Bake the bread for 10 to 15 minutes. For small or thin loaves of bread (such as baguettes), limit the baking time to 10 minutes.

   • For larger, thicker loaves of bread, bake for 15 minutes, so the center has time to warm up.^[3]
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   Remove the bread from the oven and serve. Serve the bread right away, so it doesn't have time to cool again. Reheating bread a third time probably will result in a less-than-optimal taste and texture.

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   Wrap the bread in aluminum foil. This will help it heat evenly and protect it from getting burned during the reheating process.^[4]

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   Place the bread in a pot with a lid. Use the smallest possible pot that will still comfortably hold the bread, then place the lid on the pot.

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   Place the pot on the stove over low heat. The low heat will gently warm the bread without burning it. Allow it to warm for about five minutes, then remove the bread and check to see if it is thoroughly heated. If not, replace it in the pan and warm it for another few minutes.^[5]

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   See Also

   4 Health Benefits of Pumpernickel Bread You Must KnowCalories in Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread and Nutrition FactsBrown bread by THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY nutrition facts and analysis.Cheesecake Factory's brown bread will be sold in supermarkets

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   Start by slicing your bread. Use a bread knife to cut the loaf into thin enough slices to fit into your toaster, but substantial enough to hold together when you butter it or use it as part of a sandwich.

   • Keep in mind that the thinner you make the slices, the more quickly the bread will toast, and the crisper it will turn out.
   • You can toast thick, hearty slices in the oven if they won't fit in your toaster.
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   Toast your bread in a toaster. If you're looking for a quick, convenient, and effective toasting method, nothing beats a toaster. Load the bread into the slots, change the setting to your preferred level of doneness, and push down on the knob that lowers the toast into the toaster and turns it on. When the toast springs back up, it's ready to eat!

   • Be careful when you remove your bread from the toaster. You might need to let it cool for a moment if it's too hot to touch.
   • Never stick a knife or fork into a toaster to extract the toast—this can be dangerous!
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   Or, try toasting your bread in the oven. This adds a tasty gourmet touch, since nothing beats the texture of oven-toasted bread. First, turn on the broiler in your oven and let it preheat. Next, place your bread slices on a baking sheet and put the sheet under the broiler for 2-5 minutes, or until the bread is toasted to your liking.^[6]

   • For extra delicious and flavorful toast, try buttering the bread before you broil it.
   • You can also melt cheese on the bread to make a heartier snack.

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   Place your bread on a plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. This will keep the bread from losing too much moisture and drying out while you heat it.^[7]

   • Keep in mind, however, that bread does tend to get a bit chewy and spongy when you use the microwave to reheat it, rather than the oven, stove, or toaster.
   • If you don’t have access to an oven, stove, or toaster, the microwave will work in a pinch, but your bread won’t get quite as crusty, and the texture may be a little chewier.
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   Microwave the bread in 10-second increments. It’s best to heat the bread for 10 seconds at a time to make sure you don’t overheat it. Check the bread’s temperature and texture between each 10-second increment, and replace the paper towel before starting the microwave again.^[8]

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   Remove your bread from the microwave and enjoy. Once your bread is warm enough, take it out of the microwave, slice, and serve!^[9]

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   Store fresh French bread in a paper bag on the kitchen counter. If you’re planning on storing your fresh bread at room temperature, it’s best to place it in a paper bag, rather than a plastic one. This allows the bread to breathe, which helps preserve its texture and freshness. A plastic bag, on the other hand, can actually encourage mold growth and cause the bread to spoil faster.^[10]

   • This goes for crusty loaves of bread, like French bread, baguettes, and sourdough. For soft breads, like whole wheat bread or sandwich bread, plastic bags should work just fine.
   • Keep the bread out of direct sunlight to prevent moisture from accumulating, which can cause mold to grow.
   • It’s best to eat a loaf of bread that’s being stored at room temperature within a few days. This ensures the best flavor and texture.^[11]
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   Store your loaf of bread in the fridge to prolong its shelf life. Putting your loaf of bread in the fridge should extend its shelf-life from 2-4 days up to 7-14 days. So, if you don’t plan on eating your bread right away, the fridge is the way to go!^[12]

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   For the longest shelf life, store your bread in the freezer. Place the bread in a freezer bag, and squeeze out as much of the air as possible.^[13] This helps prevent freezer burn and loss of flavor. If you want to be extra careful, you can even wrap the loaf of bread tightly in plastic cling wrap before placing it in your Ziploc bag.^[14]

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