How To Store Cornbread So That It Stays Fresh For Longer

Especially when served alongside delicious bowls of slow cooker chili or Tuscan white bean soup, nothing beats the flavor and comfort of homemade cornbread. Whether you're using canned ingredients to take your cornbread to the next level or following a sourdough skillet cornbread recipe, if you're preparing this Southern treat to accompany your next meal, you're bound to have leftovers. When it comes to storing freshly-baked cornbread to enjoy at a later date, there's a certain protocol worth following. 

While you can store this popular snack at room temperature or in your refrigerator or freezer, you want to ensure your cornbread won't dry out from air exposure. Firstly, to retain moisture, keep leftover cornbread whole, not cut up. With its increased surface area, pre-sliced cornbread runs the risk of drying out faster and may lead to a less-than-satisfying consistency when reheated. Next, wrap your cornbread in two tight layers of aluminum foil or plastic wrap, covering all the exposed surface. From here, store the foil-wrapped cornbread in a resealable plastic bag, squeezing out any air. 

To keep your cornbread fresh and tasty for up to three days, place the leftovers in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Try to store your cornbread away from sunlight in a dark location such as a pantry shelf. And thankfully, if you want to keep your cornbread fresh for more than a few days, you can easily store your leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer.

To extend the shelf-life of your cornbread, your refrigerator can keep your leftovers fresh for up to five days. Just like with room temp storage, make sure to keep the bread double-wrapped in plastic wrap or foil and stored in a resealable bag or container. For fresh-tasting cornbread past the one-week mark, use your freezer. While freezing it is fairly straightforward, there are a few additional factors to consider.

Avoid prepping your cornbread for the freezer until it's completely cooled. Storing it while it's still warm makes it more prone to freezer burn. Even though whole or half loaves of cornbread are less susceptible to drying out, you might want to pre-slice for more convenient defrosting. Whether you're storing whole loaves or individual slices, wrap your cornbread in both plastic wrap and foil before zipping it up in a freezer-safe plastic bag. Try to store slices in a single, even layer as opposed to stacking them on top of one another, in order to save space.

Cornbread kept in your freezer should last at least 3 months. For added convenience, mark the storage date on the outside of the bag. And for the best 0asting results, allow your cornbread to thaw fully-wrapped on the counter or in the refrigerator. As long as you take the time to effectively wrap and store your leftover cornbread, this tasty snack has a somewhat flexible shelf-life.