How to Freeze Bread Dough: 12 Steps
Freezing bread dough allows you to have freshly baked bread at your convenience, and it’s a great way to save time and effort. Follow these 12 steps to properly freeze your bread dough and enjoy homemade bread whenever you want.
1. Make the dough: Prepare the bread dough according to your desired recipe.
2. Portion the dough: Once the dough is mixed and has gone through its first rise, divide it into desired portions for single loaves or rolls.
3. Shape the portions: Shape each portion of dough into a round, loaf, or roll shape, depending on your preference.
4. Line a baking sheet: Line one or more baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the dough from sticking as it freezes.
5. Place the shaped dough on the baking sheet: Space each portion of dough evenly on the lined baking sheet, making sure they aren’t touching each other.
6. Partially freeze the dough: Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 1-2 hours until the surface of the dough is firm and holds its shape well.
7. Remove from freezer: After partial freezing, remove the firm portions of dough from the freezer.
8. Wrap and seal individual portions: Using plastic wrap, cover each piece of partially frozen bread dough tightly, ensuring that no air can enter. For best results, double-wrap each piece with two layers of plastic wrap.
9. Label wrapped portions: Use a permanent marker or adhesive label to write down the type of bread and date it was prepared before placing in a freezer bag.
10. Place in airtight freezer bags: Transfer wrapped portions into resealable plastic freezer bags, removing air before sealing them for ultimate freshness.
11. Return to freezer: Store sealed bags with labeled dough in the freezer for up to 3 months for optimal freshness and quality.
12. Thawing and baking: When you’re ready to bake your bread, remove the desired portion of dough from the freezer. Allow it to thaw and rise in a warm location, then bake according to your recipe’s instructions.
And there you have it – 12 simple steps to properly freeze bread dough! Now you can enjoy fresh and delicious homemade bread whenever you want without starting from scratch each time.