How to Store Ciabatta Bread

Ciabatta bread is Italian bread made with white flour, water, salt, and yeast. This bread has a chewy texture and a crusty exterior. Ciabatta bread is typically eaten as an appetizer or with a meal.

Store Ciabatta Bread out of the sunlight and not in a hot part of the kitchen. The best place would be in a dark, cool part of the pantry and in a dry paper bag.

Ciabatta has an 83% approval rating with guests when used at large catering events – so knowing how to store it for a day or so is important.

Did you also know it is the second most popular artisan bread behind sourdough?

Like most people, you love the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven.

Ciabatta Catering Statistics
Ciabatta Catering Statistics

There’s nothing better than a crusty loaf of ciabatta bread (either artisan bread bought from the store or homemade Ciabatta bread)to accompany your soup or salad at dinner.

But what do you do with leftover ciabatta bread?

How do you store it, so it stays fresh for the longest time possible?

Here are some tips on how to store ciabatta bread so it stays fresh and delicious.

Ciabatta is also a great bread for making chicken salad sandwiches.

How Do You Keep Ciabatta from Getting Stale?

To stop the ciabatta from going dry and spoiled, keep it in a cool place, and use an air-tight (oxygen-reducing) container is the best practice in ciabatta bread storage.

Ciabatta Bread Storage Science

There are three things that make ciabatta deteriorate faster and become tough, dry, and just unpleasant to eat.

Heat Destroys Bread

Heat, think sunlight, or close to a warm oven, will increase the loss of moisture (think water molecules – or H20)

Exposed To Air Makes Ciabatta Stale – Part 1

While related to the above in terms of loss of moisture, leaving bread open in the air allows

Exposed To Air Breaks Down Ciabatta  – Part 2

Exposing the bread to air also allows oxygen to come in contact with the bread, also aiding the breakdown of the bread’s chemical structure in conjunction with the above, the result is dry, chewy, or tough bread.

It is much better to have a fluffy ciabatta.

Vacuum Seal Ciabatta Bread
Vacuum Seal Ciabatta Bread

Top Tested 9 Ways To Store Ciabatta

The best way to keep ciabatta from getting stale is to store it in a cool, dry place.

Breadbox – Storing it inside a breadbox at room temperature is one of the tried and tested storage methods. It was a common method used before refrigeration and air conditioning. I always remember my Grandma keeping her bread in an old wooden box at room temperature.  A bread Box is not 100% air-tight, it allows the stored ciabatta to breath.

Ciabatta Store In A linen Cloth
Ciabatta Store In A linen Cloth

A cupboard or sometimes referred to as “appliance store or garage.” This is usually a smaller compartment in your kitchen and therefore takes on the dimensions of a large bread box. importantly it keeps out the sunlight and is typically a few degrees cooler than ambient temperature. Do not use it if it is close to the oven.

Airtight Plastic Container – keeping the ciabatta in an airtight container will stop the crust on the ciabatta from drying out.

Air Tight Cake Tin

Paper Bag – a paper bag is an eco-friendly way to preserve ciabatta.

Bread Bag – A linen bag is an ecofriendly alternative to a paper bag. Linen bags are made from natural fibers like cotton or hemp. Linen bags are durable and easy to clean.

Plastic Wrap. Do not forget to remove any condensation or moisture from the bread before wrapping it. Mold grows faster if stored in a plastic wrap or plastic bag

If you have a bread box, that’s the ideal place to store ciabatta bread. If not, any airtight container will do as well. Be sure to wrap the bread in a clean towel or paper bag before storing it. This will help keep the crust from getting hard.

Encase it in Aluminum Foil and roll over the edges. When the time comes, this can also be used to warm up the ciabatta as it contains the heat well.

If you’re planning on eating the bread later, you can store it at room temperature. But if you want it to last longer, pop it in the fridge. Just be sure to bring it back to room temperature before serving.

Ciabatta Stored in Tin Foil
Ciabatta Stored in Tin Foil

Should Ciabatta Be Refrigerated?

Ciabatta is best when eaten fresh. But if you need to store it for longer, you can keep it in the fridge.

We kept in the fridge the bread tends to harden and dry out.

I live in a place where the temperature is in the 90s in summer, so I keep it in the fridge then. Because if I do not after a few days I see signs of mold starting.

For me, I also use the fridge if I am going to make toast or cook with ciabatta bread in the next week like making a toasted sandwich. 

Storing Ciabatta In The Freezer

How Long Can You Freeze Ciabatta?

Freezing ciabatta will cause the bread to lose its freshness after about three to four months.

  • You should eat frozen ciabatta within three months or else it will taste stale.
  • I also find that ice crystals (freezer burn) form easily on the bread if it is not wrapped well

How to Freeze Ciabatta

Freezing ciabatta will keep it fresh for several weeks.

  • Wait 5 hours after baking before freezing.
  • Don’t forget to cover all sides of the bread to ensure that it stays frozen properly.
  • To keep the bread fresh, wrap it in plastic wrap or foil, label and freeze it.
  • Label and freeze the bread. Write today’s date and the expiration date on the front of your bag.

How Long Does Ciabatta Bread Last?

How long does ciabatta bread stay fresh – 2 days if stored correctly. This bread is best consumed within a day or two of baking. However, ciabatta bread can last up to a week if stored properly.

Refrigerated Ciabatta can last up to 10 days.

Frozen ciabatta can also last longer, up to three months.

How to Thaw Frozen Ciabatta?

If you’re in a hurry, the best way to thaw frozen ciabatta is to place it on a wire rack over a baking sheet and pop it in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about five minutes. If you have more time, you can also thaw ciabatta overnight in the refrigerator. Just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic so it doesn’t dry out.

No matter how you choose to thaw ciabatta, be sure to eat it within a day or two for the best flavor and texture. Once thawed, ciabatta can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. 

Now that you know how to thaw ciabatta, you can enjoy its delicious flavor and texture any time of year.

So next time you’re in the mood for a quick and easy meal like a winter soup, or making garlic bread at a big family event, you can always have ciabatta on hand from the freezer.

Can You Eat Ciabatta Cold

Ciabatta bread is delicious hot or warm, but it can also be eaten cold. It can be eaten cold, I like it with butter plus a liberal helping of peanut butter. In cold sandwiches (eg brisket sandwiches), I also like the strong crust texture it brings.

Do You Toast Ciabatta Bread

Toast Bread With A Few Days

Ciabatta bread is delicious, but it can be tricky to toast properly. For the most uniform result, try baking the bread at 375 degrees Fahrenheit instead.
Of course, you can simply put into in a toaster, but using an oven is best when you have a crowd of people.

How Do You Keep Ciabatta Bread from Molding

Ciabatta bread is delicious, but it can mold very easily. Once it starts to grow mold, it becomes unusable and unappetizing.

Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent this from occurring.
One method is to wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator.

Another option is to freeze the bread overnight before wrapping it in plastic.

To avoid mold growing inside the bread itself, try storing it in a paper bag instead of a plastic bag.