It is possible to restore the texture of bread products with heat and humidity.It can improve rock-hard loaves if the bread is kept wrapped and has a little give.
Step 1: The oven should be set to a low temperature.
The oven should be set to 300oF.Most bread will be restored by the heat, but it will only last a few hours.
Step 2: If the crust is hard, add water.
There is still plenty of water in old bread.The water is trapped by the starch molecule.You don't need to add water to the crumb of the bread.If the bread has a hard outer crust, run it under the cold tap or flick water onto it.If the bread was exposed to air, it could lose some of its water.Wet the whole loaf.
Step 3: The bread is wrapped in foil.
This prevents steam from escaping and keeps the bread moist.
Step 4: Continue to heat until it becomes soft.
Wait until the bread no longer feels soggy.This could take between 5 and 15 minutes depending on the size of the loaf.
Step 5: If the crust is too soft, unwrap and heat for another five minutes.
Remove the foil if the bread is soft but squishy.You can keep heating for another five minutes if you want to restore the texture.
Step 6: Don't wait, eat now.
Once the bread cools down, heat releases the trapped water, but also speeds up staling.The bread will only last a few hours before it becomes rancid.
Step 7: Water should be brought to a boil in a steamer.
The pan should have a shallow layer of water in it.Remove the heat when the water reaches a rolling boil.If you don't have a steamer, you'll need a colander that sits on top of the pan, and a lid that can fit over it.The methods add more humidity than the oven.If the bread is old and hard, or if it was left out unwrapped, the extraMoisture is helpful.
Step 8: The loaf should be in the steamer basket.
Place the basket over the steaming pan.
Step 9: Leave until the bread is soft.
The steam should be given at least five minutes.
Step 10: To eat immediately, slice bread.
The results of microwaves aren't perfect.Within a few minutes, the bread becomes very tough and rubbery.It's best to save it for an immediate snack.The microwave causes it to boil away some of the water.The bread is dry because the steam pushes the starches into a denser structure.It is difficult to find a sweet spot that is still hot enough to make bread.
Step 11: Wrap in a damp paper towel.
There is a plain, white paper towel.Wrap it around the bread.It traps some of the steam in the bread to keep it soft.
Step 12: Warm up in ten second intervals.
The bread might be soft after ten seconds if your microwave is strong.If not, try again.