The Right Way to Store Banana Bread—So You Can Enjoy Every Last Slice

Hands down, banana bread is the most popular quick bread. It's easy to make and easy to eat. Even if you're not an avid baker, you probably bake banana bread. And you need to know how to store it so that it stays fresh and moist down to the last slice. We talked to food scientists and a chef to get the lowdown on how long banana bread lasts, the best way to store it, and tips to help you determine whether you should refrigerate it, freeze it, or slice it ahead of eating it. 

Cool Correctly Before Storing

Proper storage starts when you take the banana bread out of the oven. Place the banana bread on a cooling rack as soon as you remove it from the oven so that there is airflow all around the baked bread, allowing it to cook quickly and evenly, says Olivia Roszkowski, chef-instructor of plant-based culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely. If it is not cooled properly, there will be trapped moisture, which can make your banana bread soggy and can also invite bacteria growth, she says. Let it cool to room temperature (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit) before storing, says Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, food safety expert and author of Up Your Veggies: Flexitarian Recipes for the Whole Family.  

How to Store at Room Temperature 

Room temperature storage is better for retaining optimal texture and flavor, says Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D., food scientist and author of 150 Food Science Questions Answered. It should be stored in a cool, dry place that isn't in direct sunlight.

Once it is completely cool, Roszkowski says to keep banana bread fresh by placing it in an airtight container, wrapping it in plastic wrap, or even slicing it and wrapping it in plastic wrap. "This will make sure the banana bread does not lose its moisture and become stale."

Le recommends both plastic wrap and storing in a glass container or bread box. Wrapped tightly and stored at room temperature, banana bread will last three to four days, says Amidor.

How to Store in the Refrigerator

Refrigerating banana bread can dull flavor and impact the texture, says Roszkowski, which is why some bakers prefer room temperature storage, but refrigerating also extends the life of banana bread. Le says refrigerating banana bread will inhibit the growth of mold that can occur at room temperature and will increase its shelf life by up to a week. So if you need to store banana bread for more than a few days, choose the refrigerator.

"If you choose to store it in the fridge, wrap it tightly or store it in a covered container to minimize oxygen exposure," says Amidor. Then, when you want to eat it, warm a slice or two in a toaster oven or traditional oven because banana bread is much tastier when warm.

How to Freeze Banana Bread

For longer storage, freezing banana bread is the best option. Amidor says you can store your banana bread in the freezer for two to three months.

Whole or Sliced

You can freeze a whole loaf or cut the banana bread into slices before freezing it. The latter is Le's preferred method because it will speed up the freezing process and evenly distribute the temperature and moisture content. "Freezing the entire loaf will cause the exterior to drop in temperature more rapidly than the interior, changing the moisture distribution and texture," he says. Slicing the bread before freezing is also convenient, you can quickly defrost slices and defrost only as many as you need. 

But if you're planning on freezing your banana bread for more than a few weeks, it's best to store the bread whole, says Roszkowski. With a longer period of freezing, slices are more prone to freezer burn than a whole loaf.

Wrapped Tight

Regardless of whether you decide to freeze a loaf or slices of banana bread, it should be wrapped tightly to prevent exposure to oxygen.  Amidor suggests aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Le prefers wrapping banana bread in parchment paper and then placing it in sealable freezer bags.

If you are freezing slices of banana bread, Roszkowski suggests arranging the slices in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray and freezing them. Then transferring the frozen banana bread slices to an airtight container or freezer bag. This ensures slices are frozen separately and easy to remove on an individual basis from the freezer.

Labeled

Labeling and dating the banana bread before you put it in the freezer is a smart move. That way, you know what it is and how long it's been there when you check your freezer at a later time, says Roszkowski

Baking Banana Bread to Freeze

If you're baking banana bread with the intention of freezing all or some of it, choose a shape that is more conducive to freezing, such as muffins or smaller loaves, Roszkowski says. Smaller loaves will defrost more quickly than larger ones. Also, consider using a corrugated paper loaf pan for extra stability when freezing entire loaves, she says. “Leaving the banana bread in the liner will help deter freezer burn; it also makes it great for gifting and is a lot easier to travel with,” she says.

The Best Way to Thaw Banana Bread            

Loaf: Roszkowski’s preferred method of thawing a loaf of banana bread is to place it in the refrigerator overnight. If you want your loaf of banana bread sooner than that, set your oven on a low temperature, such as 225 degrees Fahrenheit, and warm it in there for 30 to 40 minutes. 

Slices: "The best way to defrost banana bread that has been sliced prior to freezing is by directly placing the frozen slices into an air fryer or toaster oven," says Roszkowski. If you don't want color and texture, be sure to set the air fryer or toaster on a lower setting.