How long does banana bread last?
If the banana bread you bought or baked didn’t go down immediately, you may be wondering how to store it or how long it lasts. After all, you don’t want it to go bad.
Do you treat it the same as normal bread, or does it require special treatment?
If you’re not sure what the answer to that question is, this article is for you. This is what we cover:
How long does banana bread keep?
Freshly baked banana bread will usually keep for three to four days on the counter, and up to a week if refrigerated. Make sure it’s in an airtight container or wrap it in plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out too quickly.
Store-bought banana bread often comes with an expiration date on the packaging. That date is a good estimate of how long the bread will retain its quality. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to keep it for another two or three days, but that’s about it.
When it comes to freshly baked banana bread, check the details of the recipe you use. If your family eats it all in three or four days, it’s usually fine to keep it at room temperature.
But if you’re a slow eater of banana bread and need up to a week to finish your loaf, refrigeration is the way to go for almost all homemade recipes. For long-term storage, freeze the product.
| Pantry | Fridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade Banana Bread | 3 – 4 days | 7 days |
| Store-bought banana bread (no refrigeration required) | Best in + 1 – 2 days | |
| Store-bought banana bread (needs refrigeration) | Expiration + 1 – 3 days |
Banana Bread Shelf Life
How do you know if banana bread is bad?
It’s usually pretty obvious when the banana bread is done. This is what you should look for:
- Mold. Banana bread is usually quite moist. That means it will eventually grow mold. If there is any, discard it. Be sure to check both the surface and the interior after you cut it.
- discolorations. If dark spots start coming out, it’s time to get rid of it.
- Unpleasant smell. If the bread smells sour, funny, or otherwise, get rid of it.
| WARNING |
|---|
| The wetter your banana bread is, the stricter you’ll need to be about storage time. More humidity means there’s a higher chance of it going bad, so if it’s already a day past your due date, it’s probably best to let it go. It’s better to prevent than to cure. |
The wetter your banana bread is, the stricter you’ll need to be about storage time. More humidity means there’s a higher chance of it going bad, so if it’s already a day past your due date, it’s probably best to let it go. It’s better to prevent than to cure.
How to preserve banana bread
Main article: How to store banana bread?
Both regular bread and banana bread should be stored in an airtight bag or container. This way, it doesn’t dry out or go rancid as quickly.
When it comes to whether or not you should refrigerate banana bread, it depends. In most cases, refrigeration isn’t necessary, but if it’s one that’s moist on the inside or with unmashed banana pieces, storing it in the fridge is a smart move.
For store-bought, look for directions on the packaging or ask the clerk. Some require that they be kept in the refrigerator, while others do not. It all depends on the ingredients that are used in the dough. In many cases, the choice depends on whether you chill it in the fridge or not.
| ADVICE |
|---|
| If you’re not sure whether store-bought banana bread requires refrigeration or not, play it safe and store it in the fridge. Although it is not a requirement, this way it conserves humidity for a longer time. |
When it comes to homemade banana bread, check the instructions for the recipe you’re using. These recipes typically do not include any additional preservatives, and some call for refrigeration. If you can’t be bothered looking up the recipe, just put the bread in an airtight container and refrigerate.
No matter how well you store the banana treat, it only lasts a week or so. If you need more time, you can freeze it.
How to freeze banana bread
In case you didn’t know, you can freeze the bread. And the same goes for banana bread. The entire process takes little to no time and does not require any fancy tools. Here’s how to do it:
- Cut the bread into slices (or not). Having the bread sliced allows you to quickly grab a couple of slices when you need it if the bread isn’t too wet. If it’s super wet, the slices will freeze together, so there’s no point in doing that. You can also take the frozen bread and cut a few slices with a good knife, and put the rest back in the freezer. A third option is to cut the whole bread into halves or quarters and wrap each one separately.
- wrap the bread. Wrap the loaf in aluminum foil (leave the wrapper it came in as is) or put it in a freezer-safe container. If you go for the latter, remove as much air as possible before sealing.
- Put the wrapped bread in the freezer.. Put a name and date on the label if you want.
Frozen banana bread retains its quality for at least a couple of weeks, probably even longer. As always, it all depends on the recipe.
How to defrost banana bread
When defrosting, you can
- put the bread in the fridge for at least a couple of hours (or overnight)
- take out a few slices and leave them on the hob for half an hour, prepare and eat immediately
- toast it in a toaster, in a hot place, in a skillet or under a broiler (BBB)
The latter option only takes a couple of minutes, so you don’t need to remember to defrost your bread ahead of time.
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