How to Cool Bread

Reviewed by Craig Watson

Last Updated: October 4, 2024 Approved

After making homemade bread, you'll need to cool it after removing it from the oven. To keep the bread in top shape, it needs to be cooled properly to avoid sweating, stickiness, or too much softness.

This method relates to yeasted breads, not unleavened varieties.

1

Read the recipe.

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Some recipes make a certain cooling method apparent, and this should be followed to ensure the outcome promised by the recipe.^{[1]
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Research source} If it doesn’t require a specific method, follow the instructions outlined here.

2

Remove the bread from the oven.

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Wearing oven mitts will help prevent you from burning your hands on the hot pan or the oven. When handling the hot bread, consider leaving the mitts on initially, and move the pan somewhere safe, like on your stove.

3

Remove the bread from the pan.

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Remove the bread from the loaf pan or baking pan as soon as you’ve removed it from the oven. This is important because bread left in the pan outside of the oven will become moist, soggy, and sponge-like very quickly as the moisture in the pan condenses onto the bread. Place the bread on a wire cooling rack and leave it to cool, or take slices of the bread when warm for a "hot bread" treat.^{[2]
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4

Store the bread once it’s completely cooled.

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This will ensure that it stays crisp around the crust. Store it at room temperature or in a breadbox if you plan on eating it right away, or in the freezer to enjoy at a later date.^{[3]
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Question

Should bread be cooled on its side?

Community Answer

No, you do not have to cool the bread on its side.

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Question

Do I have to cool it on the windowsill? I don't have a screen, and there are pigeons outside.

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You can just cool it on a wire rack on a counter.

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Can I cool gluten-free bread in the fridge?

Community Answer

Sure, but keep it tightly sealed in a plastic bag so that it doesn't absorb any smells from the fridge.

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Tips

Bread can be frozen. Ensure it is completely cold, then wrap in foil and place inside a freezer bag. Freeze for up to three months.^{[4]
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Store bread at room temperature for best results.^{[5]
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