If you’re having a hard time defrosting bread in a microwave, trust me you aren’t alone. I also had this problem just a few months ago until I figured out the secret to defrost bread.
Look:
I love bread, typically, I’ll buy about 4 to 5 loaves of bread and store them in the freezer everytime I go out for groceries. Unfortunately, the loaves of bread would end up getting stale rather quickly. So, what was I doing wrong?
I was doing TWO things wrong
- Defrosting frozen bread by leaving it to thaw on the kitchen counter at room temperature.
- Refreezing the defrosted bread.
When you want to defrost bread using a microwave is your best choice. The reheating in the microwave will re-gelatinize the starches in the bread, making the bread look and taste fresh.
Studies have revealed that when bread is left to thaw at room temperature, a process called retrogradation takes place.
Retrogradation is the process where the molecules of starch start forming crystals to absorb the water left in the bread. The outcome is that the bread gets stale and dry quickly (therefore inedible).
As for point number 2, it is not recommended to defrost and refreeze bread over and over again. This continuous cycle of thaw-refreeze makes the bread get dry and stale as well.
Keep reading and discover how to defrost frozen bread in the microwave. You will never get it wrong again.
Can you defrost bread in the microwave?
Yes, you may defrost bread in the microwave. Reheating bread in the microwave makes the bread thaw quickly and also prevents it from getting stale.
You can defrost your loaf of bread in the oven or toaster, but a microwave is a better choice, especially when you don’t need the whole loaf of bread.
Another reason why the microwave is a better choice is because of all the ways that exist to defrost bread, it happens to be the fastest. I don’t know about you but I am all about getting the most done in a limited time.
Leaving frozen bread to defrost at room temperature is not a good idea. This method of defrosting bread affects the texture of the bread making it stale and dry as the moisture evaporates.
Defrosting bread in the microwave does not need a lot of time, it is a fast process that takes 15 to 25 seconds.
How to defrost bread in the microwave?
The best way to thaw frozen bread is to microwave slices on high power for 15 to 25 seconds. Following that will quickly thaw the crystalline regions on the bread and allow it to turn soft so it’s ready to eat right away. However, there are a few other things you need to consider.
It is best to defrost sliced pieces of bread in the microwave and not the entire loaf of bread.
If you are defrosting a whole frozen loaf of bread chances are the bread will not thaw evenly in the microwave.
You will also have leftovers that would be returned to the freezer again, which will compromise the taste and texture of the bread when done repeatedly.
So, slice the bread into individual pieces to ensure you defrost bread that you know would be consumed in that seating.
If you have unsliced bread on your hands, cut the bread into individual slices, put them in Ziploc or freezer bags, and store them in your freezer.
You can then bring out a bag of bread from your freezer based on what is needed.
Another advantage of defrosting frozen bread in slices is that the slices are a guarantee that the heat will permeate evenly.
Make sure you place your bread slices in a microwave-safe bowl or dish. The bread should be uncovered while defrosting in the microwave.
Avoid using non-microwaveable containers and plastic containers due to the risk of fire and chemicals leaching into your food when exposed to heat from the microwave.
Even if you choose to defrost your bread while in a freezer bag or Ziploc bag, you still need to place it in a microwave-safe container. This is because these bags can heat up fast and direct contact with these heated bags can result in a burn.
Temperature and time are important elements when defrosting a frozen loaf in the microwave. If both are not monitored or well managed, your bread will end up, hard, stale, and chewy.
Now, hard, stale, and chewy bread happens because the microwave converts the water content in the bread into vapor.
How long does it take to defrost frozen bread in the microwave?
When defrosting frozen bread using a microwave, set your microwave on high power. The timer should be set from 15 to 25 seconds.
However, if you are need to thaw an entire loaf then the microwave will not do a good job when defrosting a whole loaf of bread. For that, you need an oven.
For a loaf of bread, set the oven temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celcius) and the time would be between 20 minutes to 30 minutes.
You could also try a toaster if you prefer toasted bread. Place your bread slices into your toaster and toast for 1 to 2 minutes.
Moving back to the microwave. Before placing your sliced bread in the microwave, arrange them in a microwave safe plate. The bowl or plate that is used should be wide enough so the sliced pieces are not touching each other.
Make sure to check on your defrosting bread every 10 seconds. Also, flip the bread over so the heat has contact with both sides.
Keep the bread slices defrosting in the microwave until the bread slices are fully defrosted.
Note that the time taken to defrost your bread slices can vary from one microwave to the other depending on the wattage of the microwave and the number of slices being defrosted at the time.
Things to remember when defrosting frozen bread in the microwave:
You can defrost your bread with a toaster, oven, or baking grill but the microwave remains the fastest way to defrost your bread.
However, defrosting in the microwave works better with bread slices and not a loaf of bread.
Though it is just as common to leave frozen bread to thaw on a kitchen counter, that is not the best because studies have shown that by leaving the bread at room temperature the bread experiences Retrogradation, which will make the bread go stale quickly.
Below are a few things to have in mind when microwaving bread:
- Frozen bread should be cut up into slices before defrosting in the microwave. This will allow the bread to thaw evenly.
- The sliced bread should be placed in a wide microwave-safe bowl or plate. Slices should not touch each other.
- Do not cover the bread while reheating in the microwave.
- Set microwave on high power and nuke for 15 to 30 seconds, with 10 seconds interval checks.
- Flip bread over at each interval check to ensure the heat gets through perfectly.
- Do not defrost and refreeze bread repeatedly. This compromises the taste and texture of the bread.
- Remember that the time taken to defrost bread slices can vary from one microwave to the next. It depends on the wattage of the microwave and the number of slices to be defrosted at the time.
- Defrosting bread for a longer time will cause the bread to overheat, and dry out
FAQ
How to defrost bread without destroying it?
The best way to defrost bread without destroying it is to use an oven that has already been preheated to 350 degrees F. Once the oven is preheated remove the bread from the freezer and out of the packaging. Place the frozen loaf into the preheated oven and let it bake for about 40 minutes.
How long does it take to defrost bread at room temperature?
Thawing bread at room temperature typically takes between 1 to 3 hours if you simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw outside.
Can you defrost bread in the toaster?
Yes, you can place frozen bread slices into a toaster and toast for 1 to 2 minutes. You may need to toast the
Wrapping up
Since I shared this information on how to defrost bread in the microwave with my mum, I honestly think I have become her favorite!
Defrosting bread in the microwave is so quick and easy. Just remember to set the microwave on high power and set the timer at 15 to 25 seconds. And check regularly at 10-second intervals.
If you want to defrost an entire loaf of bread, you are better off using your oven so that your bread can get properly heated.