The smell of fresh bread makes it hard to wait. But slice too soon and the crumb gets squashed and the slices turn sticky. Here is how long bread should rest.
Black Month pack Why bread needs to rest
Straight from the oven, the crumb is full of steam and the starch is still soft. As the bread cools, the crumb sets, and only then does it hold its shape under the knife.
If you slice too soon, the steam escapes through the cut. The bread then dries out faster, and the slices come out uneven.
How long bread should rest
| Type of bread | Wait at least |
|---|---|
| Rolls and buns | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Baguette | 20 to 30 minutes |
| White loaf and tin loaf | 1 hour |
| Wholemeal bread and sourdough | 1 to 2 hours |
| Rye bread | Ideally until the next day |
These times are a starting point. Large loaves need longer than small ones. Feel the bottom: it should be cool.
How to cool bread
- Out of the tin straight away: Otherwise the sides turn damp.
- Use a rack: Air needs to reach under the loaf so the bottom does not sweat.
- Wait before you bag it: Only put the bread in the bag once it is completely cold.
How to get neat slices
- Use a sharp bread knife: A serrated edge bites into the crust without squashing the crumb.
- Saw, do not press: Long, calm strokes give cleaner cuts.
- Turn the loaf: If the top crust is hard, lay the loaf on its side.
- Slice only what you need: The rest keeps better as a whole loaf. Read more about sliced bread.
Do you want warm bread?
Let the bread cool completely, then warm it just before the meal. Put the whole loaf in the oven at 150 °C for about 10 minutes. You get warm bread with a crumb that has set.
After the first slice
Put the bread in the bread bag and put the bag in the fridge. It stays soft there, because the dry fridge air does not reach the bread. Whatever you will not eat in time, freeze in the same bag.
Bivoks™ bread bag299 NOKCotton and linen with beeswax on the inside. Measures 30.5 × 43 cm, closes with a clip and can go in the freezer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat bread straight from the oven?
Yes, but the crumb will be sticky and the loaf is hard to slice. Wait at least until it is lukewarm.
Why is fresh bread sticky when I slice it?
The crumb has not set yet. If the bread is still sticky when cold, it is not baked enough.
Does bread need to be completely cold before freezing?
Yes. Warm bread creates moisture in the bag. See how long bread can stay in the freezer.
How long should rye bread rest?
Ideally until the next day. It crumbles less then, and the slices look better.
Want to know how to look after the bread afterwards? See how long homemade bread stays fresh.
Wait an hour, then enjoy it all week
The Bivoks™ bread bag is made for the bread you bake yourself, and it can go in both the fridge and the freezer.
See the bread bag →- 365-day guarantee
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- Closes with a clip
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- Reusable for 12+ months