How To Store Banana Bread To Maintain The Most Moisture

There's nothing quite as yummy as biting into a moist, sweet slice of banana bread. And yet, there's nothing quite as disappointing as biting into a dried out, crumbly slice of banana bread. It often feels like keeping this baked good fresh and soft for more than a day or two can be a real struggle. But, if properly stored, banana bread can actually last up to a full week. The key is to retain moisture, and luckily there is one excellent way to achieve that.

First, one of the most common banana bread mistakes you might be making is storing it before it's completely cooled off after taking it out of the oven — allow the bread to cool for at least one to two hours. If the bread is still warm on the inside when you wrap it up, excess moisture will escape and lead to condensation. It's a last-minute mistake that causes soggy banana bread, or worse, mold. From there, the best way to maintain the most moisture is to store the banana bread at room temperature. Pop the bread in a zip lock bag or an airtight container that's lined with a paper towel, and then cover it with another sheet of paper before sealing. This helps to lock in the moisture, while soaking up any excess. The room temperature method may not keep banana bread fresh for as long as the fridge, but it will keep it the most moist.

Although storing banana bread at room temperature is the best way to maintain the most moisture, it isn't the only beneficial way of storing it. You can choose how you would like to store the loaf based on how long you need it, or when you need it. On the counter at room temperature it will last up to four days, in the fridge it will last up to a week, and in the freezer it will stay good for up to a year.

If you plan to keep it refrigerated, it's better to wrap the bread in cling film and then put it inside an airtight container or bag. It's likely it will dry out more quickly from the cold air, but you'll be able to enjoy it for longer. And if your plan is to save the banana bread for a later date, you can wrap it in cling film and then a sheet of aluminum foil to keep inside of your freezer. The foil helps to prevent freezer burn and unwanted odors, keeping you from making a storage mistake that could ruin your food. Place the wrapped loaf inside the freezer, and your moist banana bread is good to go.