There are many ways to use leftover, stale bread. One of my favorites is to turn it into breadcrumbs. After all, my famous macaroni and cheese wouldn’t be complete without bread crumbs’ delectable crunch and flavor! But how do you store them, and how long do they last?
Fresh and dried homemade bread crumbs should be stored in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag. Fresh homemade bread crumbs (that haven’t been dried in the oven) will last up to a week in the fridge or four months in the freezer. Dried homemade bread crumbs can be left in the pantry for two weeks or frozen for up to six months.
Hello! How’s everyone doing? My name is Michelle, and I am a self-taught baker with over ten years of baking experience. I make all kinds of goodies, but that doesn’t mean I slack on savory foods. That said, homemade bread crumbs are usual in our household, especially when we have too many leftover bread slices.
Keep reading to discover how to store your yummy, homemade bread crumbs!
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How to Store Homemade Bread Crumbs
Proper storage is critical to unlocking a lengthy shelf life. Luckily, you won’t need any fancy equipment or utensils to store your homemade bread crumbs. The process is relatively simple.
1. If Making Dry Bread Crumbs, Allow Them to Cool First
If you’re putting your stale bread in the oven to dry out before turning it into bread crumbs, you need to let them cool entirely before storing it. Otherwise, you’ll have an influx of moisture, which can turn your dry bread crumbs into a soggy and mold-infested disaster.
2. Store in an Airtight Container or Freezer Bag
Now, I always recommend storing bread crumbs (fresh or dry) in an airtight container. Airtight containers offer an impeccable seal that locks in freshness while deterring moisture and robust flavors that can ruin your bread crumbs. Not only that, but it makes scooping bread crumbs a breeze.
If you don’t have any airtight containers on hand, don’t panic. You can also use a resealable freezer bag. This will be ideal if you plan to store your bread crumbs in the freezer. Ensure that the bag is sealed entirely before storing it.
3. Decide Where to Store Your Bread Crumbs
When it comes to where to store your bread crumbs, you have three options: the pantry, the fridge, or the freezer.
Dry bread crumbs can be placed in the pantry in a cool, dry, dark area (such as the back of the pantry). They can also be placed inside the freezer if you’re not planning to use all of them quickly.
Fresh bread crumbs shouldn’t be stored in the pantry. Instead, you’ll need to put them in your fridge or freezer, depending on how quickly you use them.
How Long Do Homemade Bread Crumbs Last?
Homemade bread crumbs have a pretty impressive shelf life. However, proper storage is necessary to reach these timeframes, so keep that in mind.
1. In the Pantry (Up to Two Weeks)
If you want to store your dry homemade bread crumbs in the pantry, you can. As long as they’re placed in a cool, dry, and dark area, they can easily hit the two-week mark before they need to be chucked.
2. In the Fridge (Up to One Week)
When it comes to storing fresh homemade bread crumbs, you’ll need to place them in the fridge or freezer. When opting for the refrigerator, they’ll only last around one week. So, be prepared to use them quickly.
3. In the Freezer (Four to Six Months)
To extend the shelf life of your homemade bread crumbs significantly, consider storing them in the freezer.
- Dry bread crumbs can last up to six months
- Fresh bread crumbs can last up to four months
Of course, I always suggest consuming the bread crumbs (and any other homemade items) ASAP. The quality will deteriorate over time, and who wants to eat something sub-par?
Tip: Double-check for an adequate seal if storing in the fridge or freezer. Otherwise, your bread crumbs can dry out quickly.
How to Tell if Homemade Bread Crumbs Are Spoiled
Not sure if your bread crumbs are still safe to consume, even if you stored them properly? Here are a few ways to check for spoilage (and avoid an upset stomach later!).
1. Moisture
Unfortunately, if moisture makes contact with your homemade bread crumbs, they will go bad. Let’s face it – moisture is bread’s kryptonite. Nobody wants to eat soggy, mushy bread, whether a slice of bread or bread crumbs. Get rid of it, honey!
2. Mold
Another noticeable sign of spoilage is mold. Double-check your container or bag of bread crumbs for any colorful or fuzzy friends. If you spot even a single section of color or fuzziness, toss the batch. It’s not safe to consume.
3. Odd/Sour Scent
Homemade bread crumbs don’t typically have a pungent smell (unless they’ve been seasoned). So, if you take a whiff of your bread crumbs and notice that they smell odd or sour, you’ll need to get rid of them.
4. Yucky Flavor
Lastly, do the taste test! If your bread crumbs have a weird or sour flavor, then it’s time to toss them. They’ve gone bad, and they might ruin the taste of your dish. It’s just not worth it!
FAQs
Now you know how to store your homemade bread crumbs, whether you make them fresh or dried. Pretty nifty stuff, eh? But before you click the “X” on this article, I recommend taking a look at these frequently asked questions. You will learn a few more important things!
Do you have to refrigerate homemade bread crumbs?
You don’t have to refrigerate dry homemade bread crumbs, but you must refrigerate fresh homemade bread crumbs. If you live in a very humid or hot climate, you might consider storing your dry homemade bread crumbs in the freezer instead. Ensure the container/bag is sealed adequately, so the bread crumbs don’t dry out.
Homemade bread crumbs go bad, but luckily they have a relatively long shelf life when stored correctly. To get the most extended shelf life from your homemade bread crumbs, store them in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag and place them in the freezer for four to six months.
Homemade breadcrumbs can go moldy. This is especially true if they are not cooled entirely before being stored. The other issue is if the breadcrumbs come in contact with moisture. If so, mold will proliferate on the bread crumbs. That said, keeping your bread crumbs away from moisture is crucial.
Storing Homemade Bread Crumbs Isn’t Complicated!
The best way to store homemade bread crumbs is to place them in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag. If making dry bread crumbs, ensure they’re cooled entirely before storing. The freezer offers the most extended shelf life for homemade bread crumbs, from four to six months. Check for signs of spoilage before consuming.
Do you make homemade bread crumbs? How do you store them? Do you have any tips you’d like to add to this article? Share with us in the comment section below!
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