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Plus, learn how to use stale baguettes in tasty dishes
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It's always a little sad when a perfectly good baguette goes stale before you can eat it. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to keep your baguette fresh. If you know you won't eat an entire baguette on the day you buy or make it, wrap it in aluminum foil and store it at room temperature or freeze it for up to 3 months. If you still don't get around to eating the bread and it becomes stale, there are lots of ways to use it up.

How to Store a Baguette

If you don’t use a baguette the same day you buy or bake it, wrap it in aluminum foil and keep it at room temperature for 1 day. Don’t put it in the refrigerator, or the moisture will cause it to harden faster. To keep it longer, store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Storing the Baguette Properly

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  1. Because a French baguette is so thin and narrow, it will turn stale quickly. Plan on buying a baguette the same day you want to eat it.[1]
    • If you purchase a warm baguette that has been placed in a paper or plastic bag, remove it so it doesn't trap the bread's moisture. This moisture will cause the bread to soften and become soggy.
  2. Tear off a large sheet of aluminum foil and lay the baguette on it lengthwise. Fold the long sides of the foil over the baguette and tuck the ends of the foil under. Crimp the aluminum foil so it's sealed shut.[2]
    • If you're planning on freezing the baguette, you may need to cut the baguette in half crossways before wrapping it.

    Tip: It's important that the baguette is cool or a room temperature. If you wrap a warm baguette in the aluminum foil, it will trap the steam and the bread will spoil faster.

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  3. Set the baguette wrapped in aluminum foil on the counter and try to use it within 1 day. Avoid refrigerating the baguette since the refrigerator will introduce moisture and cause the bread to harden faster.[3]
  4. If you don't plan on eating the baguette right away, wrap it in aluminum foil and stick it in the freezer. Label the baguette and remember to include the date, so you know to remove and eat the baguette within 3 months.[4]
    • You can slice the baguette into individual pieces. Then wrap and freeze the slices instead of freezing the entire baguette.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Reviving or Using a Stale Baguette

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  1. Take the stale baguette and run tap water over the bottom of the bread. Then put the baguette directly into a 400 °F (204 °C) oven for 10 minutes. If you're using a frozen baguette, you'll need to heat it for closer to 15 minutes.[5]
    • Wetting the baguette will add moisture to the bread. This will create steam in the hot oven which will make the baguette's crust crispy again.
  2. Slice slightly stale baguette and make toast. You'll need a sharp serrated knife to cut the stale baguette into thin slices. Put them into a toaster and heat the bread until they're slightly crispy. If you don't have a toaster, arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and place them under a broiler until they're browned. Turn them and toast the other sides.[6]
    • If you don't feel like eating toast, grate the stale baguette or put pieces of the baguette into a food processor. Pulse or grate the bread to make breadcrumbs.
  3. Use a serrated knife to cut the stale baguette into cubes that are as large as you want the croutons to be. Spread them on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle them with olive oil. Then bake the croutons until they're crisp and golden brown.[7]
    • Make a meal out of the croutons by tossing them with chopped tomatoes and cucumbers. Coat the salad with a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing to make the classic panzanella salad.

    Variation: To make stovetop croutons, melt butter in a large skillet. Stir in the baguette cubes and cook them until they're crunchy and browned.

  4. Bake a delicious, savory stuffing by tossing pieces of the stale baguette with chicken stock, sautéed onions, herbs, and beaten eggs. Then stuff a turkey with the mixture or spread it in a baking pan. Cook the stuffing or dressing until it's browned and firm to the touch.[8]
    • If you're cooking the stuffing inside a turkey, ensure the turkey and stuffing both reach an internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C).
  5. Whisk together a simple custard using eggs, cream, and sugar. Spread the stale slices or pieces of baguette in a baking dish and pour the custard over it. Let the baguette sit for about 30 minutes, so it absorbs the custard. Then bake the bread pudding for up to 1 hour.[9]
    • You can add raisins or chocolate chips to the bread pudding before baking it. Then serve the bread pudding with whipped cream or custard.
    Ken Forkish
    Ken Forkish, Artisan Baker

    For storage, slip the loaf into a paper bag. Fold over the top of the bag a time or two to seal in moisture. Stored this way, the crust will soften a bit, but it will still be enjoyable to eat for a day or two. The bag keeps the crust from drying out completely while allowing gases from the continuing fermentation to escape.

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Tips

  • Keep in mind that French bread will last longer than a French baguette, so if you want to store the bread for 1 to 2 days without freezing it, you may want to get the French bread.
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Things You'll Need

  • Aluminum foil

About This Article

Maria Short
Reviewed by:
Baker
This article was reviewed by Maria Short and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Maria Short is a Baker and the Owner of Short N Sweet Bakery & Cafe in Hilo, Hawaii. With over 24 years of experience, she specializes in specialty desserts and wedding cakes. She graduated from L’Academie de Cuisine’s Pastry Arts Program with honors and studied at Baltimore International Culinary College. In 2019, Maria competed in the 6th season of the Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship. In 2010, she had a cake named one of “America’s Most Beautiful Cakes” by Brides magazine. This article has been viewed 177,876 times.
66 votes - 80%
Co-authors: 7
Updated: November 15, 2024
Views: 177,876
Article SummaryX

Because baguettes are so thin and narrow, they go stale quickly. If you can’t finish your baguette on the same day, wrap it in aluminum foil and crimp the edges to seal it. This should help keep it fresh for an extra day. If you don’t plan on eating it right away, wrap it in foil and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. If your baguette’s already gone a bit stale, you can revive it by running tap water over the bottom and baking it for 10 to 15 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternatively, toast it in slices until the bread’s crispy. For more tips, including how to make croutons from a stale baguette, read on!

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