Banana bread is a sweet, cake-like quick bread made from mashed bananas that is a popular bread consumed as a snack or for dessert in the United States. But can banana bread go bad?
Quick Answer
Yes, banana bread can go bad. Homemade banana bread can last 1-2 days, or up to a week refrigerated. For store-bought banana bread, check the best-by label for how long it will last at room temperature, or store it in the refrigerator to prolong its shelf life up to a week. Banana bread stored in the freezer can last an undetermined amount of time, but will taste best when consumed within 3-4 months of freezing.
Contents
Now that you know the shelf life of banana bread, having an understanding of the factors that influence its shelf life can help you preserve your banana bread for best taste and quality.
Does Banana Bread Go Bad? How Long Does Banana Bread Last?
Banana bread does go bad, but depending on the conditions in which it is stored, it is possible to extend the shelf life of your banana bread.
How Long Does Banana Bread Last Outside?
When determining how long your banana bread will last at room temperature, you’ll first need to consider if it was homemade or store-bought.
Homemade banana bread will last 2-3 days stored at room temperature. Around the 4th day, you’ll start to notice changes in texture. It will still be edible, but the quality will be diminished.
Store-bought banana bread will last according to the best-by date, give or take a few days. It will likely still be edible by that date, but the texture and quality will be diminished.
How Long Does Banana Bread Last in the Fridge?
How long banana bread lasts in the fridge is determined by whether it is homemade or store-bought. Because the date in which store-bought bread was made is unknown, this will affect its shelf life in the refrigerator.
Homemade banana bread can last up to a week in the refrigerator, while store-bought may only last an extra 1-3 days, depending on the best-by date.
Be aware that storing your banana bread in the refrigerator can cause banana bread to lose its moisture, so the texture and quality of your banana bread won’t be as good as if it were stored at room temperature.
How Long Does Banana Bread Last in the Freezer?
Banana bread can last 3-4 months in the freezer and still maintain its quality and freshness. You can freeze it in slices or loaves.
To freeze banana bread, wrap it in foil and then place it in a freezer bag, squeezing out all the air before zipping the bag closed.
While banana bread can be stored indefinitely in the freezer, it will succumb to freezer burn eventually and will not be able to retain its moisture after so long.
Conclusion: Banana bread can last up to a week in most cases, but can last for several months when stored properly in the freezer.
How To Tell If Banana Bread Has Gone Bad / How To Know Banana Bread is Fresh?
After storing your banana bread for any length of time, you’ll want to check to ensure it’s still safe to eat before consuming it. Here are some ways you can check if your banana bread is still safe to eat.
Appearance: Banana bread that has gone bad can grow mold or show other discolorations. If you notice your banana bread has discolored or has grown mold, it is no longer edible.
Smell: Fresh banana bread smells like a combination of baked bread and bananas. If the banana bread smells sour or off in any way from its normal smell, it has gone bad.
Taste/Texture: If you taste the banana bread and it doesn’t taste as it should, or the texture has changed, it has gone bad.
Moisture: Depending on the way you stored your banana bread, the moisture may have evaporated, and the banana bread may have grown hard. If this is the case, you can be assured your banana bread has gone bad.
How to Store Banana Bread?
When it comes to storing banana bread, there are a few best practices to storing it efficiently to prolong its flavor and freshness. You can store banana bread in slices or loaves.
Foil: You should always wrap your banana bread tightly in foil. Failure to do so will make your banana bread susceptible to losing its moisture, which will dry it out, causing the texture to toughen.
Airtight Plastic Bag: Once wrapped tightly in foil, put your banana bread in a plastic bag with a seal, such as a Ziploc bag. Make sure to press out any extra air before locking the seal.
Airtight Plastic Container: You can also take your foil-wrapped banana bread and place it in a plastic container with an airtight lid.
Can You Freeze Banana Bread? How?
Yes, it is possible to freeze banana bread, and this is the most efficient way to store banana bread to preserve its shelf life. However, there are some tips you should abide by when freezing it.
Temperature: If you have freshly baked banana bread warm from the oven, you’ll want to ensure your banana bread has cooled down to room temperature prior to storing it in the freezer.
Portions: Banana bread can be stored in single slices or loaves. Portion out your banana bread in the way in which you want to store it in the freezer.
Storing: When packing your banana bread for storing, always wrap it tightly in foil first. Once you’ve done that, you can put it into a plastic Ziploc bag, making sure all the air is pressed out of the bag before sealing, or an airtight plastic container.
How to Thaw Banana Bread?
To thaw banana bread, the timing varies depending on if you are thawing slices or loaves.
Slices: Take the slices out of the freezer and set them on a cutting board with a piece of paper towel. It will take about 30-60 minutes to defrost.
Loaves: Take the loaves out of the freezer and place them on a cutting board with a paper towel. It can take 1-2 hours for loaves to defrost.
Frequently Asked Questions About Banana Bread’s Shelf Life
How Do You Defrost Banana Bread Without Destroying It?
Defrost your banana bread completely, and don’t remove it from its plastic or foil until then. It can take 30-60 minutes for individual slices or 1-2 hours for whole loaves. Then, take the plastic and foil off the bread and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
How Do You Soften Hard Banana Bread?
To soften hard banana bread, preheat the oven to 200 degrees, then wrap the bread in a damp towel. Place it on a baking sheet and let it bake in the oven for 5-10 minutes.
Wrap Up
Banana bread is a sweet quick bread that makes a great snack or dessert. Knowing how to best store your banana bread allows you and your family the chance to enjoy it for months to come.
