How to make stale bread soft: 7 ways

Bread is a universal product, which in one way or another is on the table in almost every family. Many people know that there is nothing like the aroma of fresh bread when it has just come out of the oven. In spite of all the valuable tastes, this product gets stale rather quickly. Much of the reason for this is improper storage of bread. But you can extend this period, using quite simple tips.

Why does the bread stale quickly

It is commonly believed that bread begins to lose its freshness due to the fact that moisture escapes from it. This seems an obvious fact: it becomes dry and quite stiff if left unpacked on the table. But this is a big misconception. The fact is that bread gets stale because it begins to absorb too much moisture. It's hard enough to believe, but it's really true: the main ingredients are water and flour. And this means that there is a large amount of starch in the composition of this product. It is this that begins to absorb moisture into itself, gradually crystallizing.

This causes the crumb to lose its elasticity and softness rather quickly, becoming hard and starting to crumble a lot. This process is called "starch retrogradation". The speed at which it develops depends on the type of finished product. For example, wheat bread will begin to stale much faster than rye bread. In the second case, this reaction is somewhat slower, as there is a protection of the available acid (thanks to sourdough).

What is useful for stale bread

Very many of us love bread and quite often include it in our diet. However, only a small group of people are aware of the fact that it is stale bread that is the most useful from a medical point of view for health. This is directly related to its effect on the gastrointestinal tract and its work. The fact is that soft freshly baked bread has not yet had time to lose the elements of natural fermentation. It is they can adversely affect the work of some human organs. For example, such a product is considered a very heavy food for the pancreas, which begins to actively produce insulin, which has a negative effect on blood sugar levels. It is because of the heavy load on the stomach bread is not recommended to eat those who suffer from various pathologies of the digestive system.

In turn, breadcrumbs and stale bread in composition are almost identical with the fresh version, but because of the lack of fermentation elements, they become absolutely safe even for those who have various problems in the gastrointestinal tract. At the same time, no one is forced to consume dry bread in the unchanged version. You can prepare a variety of dishes on its basis. The most successful are considered croutons: a great option, which will be not only tasty, but also useful.

How to soften stale bread

Even if the bread is stale and has become tough, you should not rush to throw it away. Many housewives know that some secrets can return bread to its softness and freshness. Today, there are many different options on how you can return the softness of bread simply and quickly. Below we will talk about them.

In the microwave

Stale bread is quite possible to return to its pristine state, simply by heating it in the microwave. You should lightly spray the slices with water, then put them in the microwave. Next, heat the bread for 15 to 20 seconds. A good idea would be to use a special plastic cover - this will speed up the process. It is very important not to overdry the slices.

Heating should not exceed more than a minute, otherwise the product will become hard and dry again. However, this tip is useful only if you plan to consume the product immediately. In just a few minutes, the bread will return to its original state, becoming dry and hard again.

In the oven

Another way to return bread to its original softness is to warm it up in the oven. To begin with, you need to heat the oven well, its temperature should be between 120 and 140 degrees. Cover the baking tray with parchment, on which a little later spread the slices of sliced bread. Then cover them with a damp textile towel. After 5-7 minutes you should take the product out of the oven.

After it cools slightly, it can be eaten. However, you should not forget that within a few minutes, the product will become stale and tough again. Therefore, it is worth carrying out this measure before directly eating the bread, otherwise the expected result will not be achieved.

In the steamer

Even the toughest loaf will regain its softness if you hold it in the steamer basket for a few minutes. But you should not increase the time interval, as the bread can simply dry out and become unfit to eat. To return the stale bread to softness, 3 to 5 minutes is enough. The amount of time is determined by the size of the product: the larger it is, the longer it should be held - but no more than 10 minutes, otherwise the result will not meet expectations.

In a frying pan

Another effective and quick way to return stale bread to softness is to heat it in a frying pan. It is important to give preference to a pan that has a thick bottom. A cast-iron skillet is ideal for this purpose. The slices of bread should be moistened a little, splashing them with water from a spray gun, and then placing them on the skillet. The fire should be moderate. After 2 minutes, turn the slices to the other side. You should not forget that dry bread gets steamed quite quickly, and if you overcook it, it can also burn. But you should not expect that after such treatment the product will be stored for a long time, preserving its freshness and softness. It should be consumed within a few minutes, as very soon it will return to its former state.

In a paper bag

A paper bag is a great option for bringing the bread back to softness. It is necessary to pre-cut the loaf into slices, then pack them in a bag, securely sealing it with tape (maximum tightness). This is necessary to completely eliminate the possibility of moisture evaporation. Send the bag of bread to the refrigerator and leave it there for 5 hours or more - during this time it will soften. After that, simply send the bread for 20-30 seconds in the microwave: it will become soft and warm, as if just cooked.

In the pan.

You can restore the softness of loaf or any other bread with the help of an ordinary saucepan. But, in addition to it, you will also need a sieve. If you do not have one, a metal colander will also be quite suitable for this purpose. Pour a small amount of water into a saucepan: about 200-300 ml. When it begins to boil, you should place a colander or sieve on it. Then place in it the bread cut into slices and wait about 5-7 minutes. However, you should carefully monitor the process, because if you overcook the bread, it will completely soften and begin to clump. Such a product is unlikely to arouse anyone's appetite. That is why you should control this process.

In a water bath

This option will come in handy if you do not have a microwave or steam cooker. The essence is simple: you need to pour water on the bottom of a saucepan and wait for it to boil. Then attach a colander to it (it should be metal: plastic can begin to melt from exposure to steam and too high temperatures). In the colander put the pieces of dried bread and wait for the moment when the steam softens them. This will take about 3-5 minutes.

Using Stale Bread

If the bread has begun to stale and dry out, you should not immediately throw it away. It can still be quite useful for eating.

For example, stale bread can be dried to make breadcrumbs for breading. To do this, simply cut the loaf into small pieces and grind them with a mixer or meat grinder. But do not forget that this applies only to baked goods made of wheat flour. A very important detail: they should not contain any flavoring or flavor additives, otherwise it will inevitably further affect the taste and aroma of the finished dish. Hardly anyone appreciates the taste of sweetish cutlets. Not suitable for making breadcrumbs and rye bread. The fact that it contains sourdough, which gives the bread a slightly sour taste. It will remain even in the case when the bread dries to the state of breadcrumbs. In addition, such a crumb will be quite tough, which can spoil the taste of the finished dish using such breading.

One of the easiest and fastest ways to use dried bread is to make croutons. They can come in a variety of forms. For example, sugar-sweetened water should be used for sweet croutons. A great option is dried slices of bread soaked in a mixture of milk and egg. This is a hearty breakfast option that all family members will appreciate. Another plus is that it's quick and easy to make.

Dried bread can become an ingredient for cooking not only meat, but also fish mince. It is enough to simply soak it in water or milk. This will make the finished dish more juicy and tender.

With the use of breadcrumbs you can prepare homemade nuggets. It is necessary to grind dried bread to the state of crumbs. You can add spices. A combination of garlic and paprika is great. Cut the chicken breast into small pieces. The thickness should not be more than 1.5 cm. Otherwise, by the time the meat is cooked, the breading will have time to stick. Dip the breast in whipped egg, and then roll in breading mixture. Next, fry the pieces on both sides over low heat. Juicy and appetizing nuggets covered with a crispy golden crust will be ready in 20-30 minutes.

How to keep bread from getting stale

In order to keep the bread as long as possible, it is enough to adhere to simple rules.

1. First, it is strictly forbidden to store bread unpacked in the open space. So it will dry out in just a few hours, in addition, this will also have a negative impact on the taste of this popular product. The best solution is to buy a bread box. This compact device will help to prolong the shelf life of bread, keeping it in perfect condition. Today, a wide selection of this category of goods allows you to choose a high-quality and stylish option. However, the best breadboxes are made of wood - an environmentally friendly material, which has been preferred since ancient times several centuries ago. If you store bread products in the bread box, their quality will not suffer: they will not get moldy and will not stale before time.
2. Instead of cellophane bags are recommended to use special bags for storing bread, which are sewn from natural fabric. Such a simple method will help to extend the shelf life of the product, preserving its taste and pleasant aroma.
3. In summer, when there is a period of intense heat, it is recommended to store bread in the refrigerator, otherwise it quickly becomes covered with mold or stale. The first variant happens when the moisture has nowhere to evaporate - the bag is too tight. The second option is typical when bread is stored outdoors. If moldy bread is strictly forbidden to eat, slightly dried bread can always be refreshed. For example, just reheat the stale slices in the microwave for 10 seconds before serving. They will not lose their flavor at all, while being soft and flavorful.

Simple tip: In a paper bag bread is stored much longer. That's why you should release it from the cellophane packaging faster.

What you can make with stale bread

Sometimes it is simply not possible to return stale bread products to their former softness. But you should not rush to throw away at first glance spoiled and not suitable for serving bread. In fact, there are many simple and delicious recipes where it will come in handy.

For example, you can make croutons. There are several easy and quick recipes, among which everyone can choose the most suitable option for themselves, based on their own taste preferences. For example, you can dip stale slices of bread in sweet water and fry them in a pan, which you first grease with a thin layer of vegetable oil. Some people prefer to dip the stale slices in a mixture of chicken eggs and milk. You can add herbs and a little grated cheese - a hearty and simple breakfast will be ready in less than 5 minutes.

Few people know that stale bread can be used to make an excellent and completely natural kvass. The following ingredients will be needed:

• 500 grams of stale bread;
• 25 grams of sugar;
• 2 teaspoons of dry yeast.

Pour three liters of boiling water over the bread and wait until the mixture cools. Then strain it through gauze, add sugar and yeast. The resulting composition to put in a warm and dark place (avoid direct sunlight). After 12-14 hours, strain the mixture again, and then pour into a glass container. Not only bottles but also jars will do. After that, kvass to infuse in the fridge. In three days the drink will be ready to drink.

From stale bread you can make breadcrumbs. They will definitely be useful in the preparation of many dishes - cutlets, muffins, breaded chicken and so on. But here it should be mentioned that not every bread is suitable for this purpose. It is recommended to give up the choice of black bread or sweet bakery products. The fact is that they will adversely affect the taste of ready meals: pastries will give inappropriate sweetness, and black bread - a sour taste. The dried loaf can be ground with a special attachment for a blender. Another option is an ordinary meat grinder. If you need fine crumbs, you can simply twist the mass twice.

Dried bread can be added to the mince, previously soaking it in water or milk. Such cutlets will turn out more juicy and tender, even if the meat was stiff.