How to Store Banana Bread & Other Quick Breads - Always Eat Dessert (2024)

The Best Way to Store Homemade Banana Bread

The best way to store banana bread or other quick breads depends on how long you need to store it.

If you need to store your loaf for up to 5 days, storing at room temperature is the way to go. (This assumes that the bread doesn't include any mix-ins that require refrigeration, such as a swirl of cream cheese. If that is the case, check out the notes for refrigerating your loaf.)

If your bread includes mix-ins that require refrigeration, you'll need to store the loaf in the fridge for up to 5 days.

If you'll be storing the loaf for more than 5 days, you'll want to freeze it to lock in moisture and freshness.

Regardless of how you plan to store your quick bread, be sure that the loaf is completely cooled before packaging and storing it.

Keep reading to learn how to store banana bread at room temperature, in the fridge, and in the freezer.

Equipment Needed

Here's what you'll need for storing banana bread and other quick breads:

• For Room Temperature Storage: A storage container that seals but is not airtight OR a plastic food storage bag and 2 sheets of paper towel
• For Refrigerator Storage: A plastic food storage bag and 2 sheets of paper towel
• For Freezer Storage: Plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and a plastic food storage bag

Storing Banana Bread at Room Temperature

Banana bread will stay fresh at room temperature - properly sealed and out of direct sunlight - for up to 5 days.

Remember that banana bread - and most other quick breads - contain a lot of moisture. When storing these breads, the goal is to keep them fresh without trapping too much moisture in the storage container, since this can cause mold to grow more quickly.

My preferred way to store banana bread at room temperature is to place it in a sealed (not airtight) container on the counter. I use a plastic bread box, which allows a bit of air around the bread to keep it from becoming overly moist but not so much air that the bread dries out. Any sealable container that's larger than the loaf of bread should do the trick.

If you prefer not to use a bread box or storage container, another option is to seal the loaf inside a plastic food storage bag with 2 sheets of paper towel, one below and one on top of the loaf inside the bag. The paper towel will absorb any excess moisture, and you may want to replace it after 2 to 3 days.

Tips & Tricks

Save the End Slice - I always save the end slice that I first cut off a loaf. After cutting and enjoying a few slices, I place the end slice against the remaining loaf when storing, so that the two cut sides are together and minimizing the amount of air that touches the bread.

Avoid Slicing the Bread Before Storing - If possible, only cut slices of bread as you plan to eat it, since slices will lose their freshness more quickly than a loaf when stored.

Toast Your Bread - If your bread is still okay to eat but has become a bit more dry than you'd like, toast it! Lightly toasted banana bread is absolutely delicious. Bonus points if you spread it with a smear of peanut butter (or whatever nut/seed butter you like)!

Reuse Plastic Storage Bags - Plastic storage bags that are used to store quick breads in the freezer can be reused many times. Since the bread is sealed in plastic wrap and foil before it's placed into the bags, keeping the bags clean, I keep a stash of these clean bags in my freezer and reuse them over and over for storing foods like this. It's one way that I try to limit my use of single-use plastic.

Can you store banana bread in a Ziploc bag?

Yes, banana bread can be stored in a Ziploc bag. Place a sheet of paper towel under the loaf and another sheet on top inside the bag to absorb any extra moisture. Alternatively, you can store banana bread is a sealed (not airtight) container.

Does banana bread need to be refrigerated?

No, banana bread does not need to be refrigerated. In fact, the fridge will dry out quick breads more quickly, so it's best to store banana bread and other quick breads either at room temperature or in the freezer. The only exception would be if your banana bread includes a mix-in that requires refrigeration.

Can I freeze homemade banana bread?

Absolutely, banana bread freezes beautifully! Once the loaf is completely cooled, wrap it in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil to seal the loaf. Place the wrapped loaf into an airtight storage container or plastic food storage bag, seal, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Is it better to freeze banana bread whole or sliced?

The choice is up to you! If you'll want to thaw individual slices rather than the entire loaf, freeze the slices individually. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil, then seal the wrapped slices in an airtight container or plastic food storage bag. If you'll be thawing the full loaf at once, then it's best to leave the loaf whole, wrap it just as you would the slices, seal it in a container or bag, and freeze.