Store Your Baguette in the Freezer for Easier Entertaining.

Baguettes are at their best the day they are baked, so storing them can be a little tricky. But cheese boards don’t feel complete without crusty bread, so I like to keep them on hand in case I need to provide some impromptu entertaining (or satisfy a personal craving). Luckily, simple breads like baguettes freeze incredibly well.

By “plain” I mean bread made from flour, water, yeast and salt or sourdough. Breads fortified with dairy or eggs do not keep well in the refrigerator. You can freeze baguettes whole or in slices, but I prefer to cut them in half so I can defrost what I need without resorting to crostini.

How to freeze a baguette

Start by cutting your baguette to a size that will fit in your freezer. Mini baguettes can be left whole, but most full-size baguettes will need to be cut in half (or even quarters, depending on the size of your freezer).

Wrap each portion in two layers of plastic wrap, then place them in a large freezer bag and remove as much air as possible. ( The water displacement method can help with this.) If you have a vacuum sealer, use it.

If you are freezing the slices, place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and place in the freezer for an hour, then transfer to a vacuum bag and seal or place in a freezer bag and remove as much air as possible. before placing in the refrigerator.

Frozen baguettes should be stored in the freezer for several months, but beware of freezer burn, which can alter the flavor and texture. If you see large ice crystals, discard them.

How to defrost a frozen baguette

To defrost a whole baguette or half baguette, preheat the oven to 400℉, place the bread directly on the oven rack and heat until warmed through, six to eight minutes. For crostini, heat them in an oven, toaster, or deep fryer at 400℉ until toasted. Enjoy immediately.