What is French bread? Mmm. There is nothing else like it. Because it is so adaptable, you can easily utilize a complete loaf without thinking twice. However, this does not necessarily imply that your leftover French bread will have the same acceptable firmness as when you originally bought it.

If your French bread has lost its crisp aspect, you should know how to revitalize it. Showering store-bought French bread with water and baking it for approximately 10 minutes at 350F is the simplest method to repair it. You may also use your trusty air fryer!

Hello, everyone! Shea has arrived. And now we’re talking about how to make store-bought French bread crispy again. I can’t tolerate it when my French bread begins to soften, and I’m sure you don’t either.

Having said that, I’ve developed two terrific strategies for reviving your stale bread.

Whos ready to crisp-ify their French bread?

2 Ways to Make Store-Bought French Bread Crispy Again

There are two methods to re-crisp store-bought French bread: in the oven and in the air fryer. I like using the air fryer since it does not heat up my whole kitchen. This is a necessary 365 days a year if you live in sunny Southern California.

If you don’t have an air fryer, the oven will suffice. It doesn’t have to be on for very long, so don’t be concerned about turning your kitchen into a sauna while attempting to crisp up some French bread.

1. In the Oven

When it comes to crisping up a loaf of French bread, the oven is the go-to device. It’s not just simple, but most people already have an oven, so there’s no need to purchase anything new. This is how you do it.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350F.

Step 2: Soak the loaf of French bread in water. I know it seems strange, but it is necessary. Hydrating the bread will enable it to crisp up as desired. You may sprinkle it with a spray bottle or run it under your faucet.

Step 3: Optionally, drizzle with oil. I also like to smear some olive oil on my French bread. This isn’t required, but I think it adds crispness and delicious tastes.

Step 4: Cover with tin foil. Wrap your loaf of French bread tightly in tin foil. This will trap the steam within, resulting in wonderfully crispy results.

5th: Bake for 10 minutes. Set your timer for 10 minutes and breathe in the scent of freshly baked bread.

Step 6: Carefully remove from the oven and serve! Eat your freshly baked French bread whichever you choose.

2. In the Air Fryer

I strongly suggest using an air fryer to crisp up your French bread. It’s easy to make and won’t heat up your kitchen, making it an excellent alternative for those hot summer days. The steps are as follows:

Step 1: If required, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Preheating is not required for all air fryers. I have two of them: one that does and one that does not. Set your model to 350F if it has to be preheated.

Step 2: Soak the French bread in water. As previously said, you want to have your loaf nice and moist.

Step 3: If desired, drizzle with oil. Rubbing little oil on your French bread will improve its taste and crispiness. It’s a win-win situation!

Step 4: Cover with tinfoil. Don’t forget to tightly wrap your bread!

5th Step: Bake for 3 minutes. Within three minutes, most French bread will be lovely and crispy. If yours isn’t, continue baking in one-minute increments. Check after each minute until the desired crispiness is achieved.

Step 6: Take out of the air fryer and serve! Your bread is now wonderfully crisp and ready for all of the amazing dishes you have planned for it.

Why Does Bread Crust Go Soft?

The good news is that it is simple to restore the crispiness of French bread. But what really happened? What caused it to become soft in the first place?

The bread crust softens because the starches in the bread break down over time, releasing moisture that the crust absorbs. This is particularly true with tightly wrapped bread loaves, and it occurs rapidly.

Another difficulty is where you keep your French bread. More moisture will be present in the bread if it is in a humid and warm environment, causing the crust to become soft.

How to Avoid French Bread with a Soft Crust

There are a handful of methods to avoid the dreaded soft crust conundrum.

1. Store it in the Freezer Tightly

Bread freezing is not just the greatest solution for long-term storage. It’s also an excellent technique to keep the soft crust at bay. When freezing, make sure the French bread is firmly covered. You want to maintain the moisture inside and avoid freezer burn.

2. Store it Loosely At Room Temp

It might be difficult to store French bread in the freezer. After all, you’ll have to defrost it before you can eat it, which might be a hassle when you’re wanting bread.

Another possibility? Keep your French bread at room temperature. While you don’t want to leave your French bread out with no protection, wrapping it too tightly will cause the crust to soften. Choose a bag that is loosely closed, allowing moisture to escape from the loaf.

FAQs

That’s all there is to it! The best strategies for getting French bread crispy again, as well as some pointers on how to prevent soft crust in the first place. Here are a few more often asked questions that you may wish to know the answers to.

How do you revive a hard baguette?

Are you having trouble with a hard baguette (or a loaf of French bread)? Then you’ll want to soften it in the microwave. Simply cover the loaf in a moist paper towel and microwave in 10-second increments until the texture is to your liking.

What can I do with a stale French baguette?

Is your French bread becoming stale? Don’t throw it away! Instead, use it in a novel and delightful manner. One of my favorite ways to repurpose stale French bread is to make breadcrumbs, which I then use in a variety of dishes, from meatballs to salmon cakes. You can also prepare a delicious bread pudding!

How do you heat up French bread with butter?

French bread with butter is a delightful side dish or late-night snack. Simply spread some butter on a slice of French bread and bake it for approximately ten minutes in a preheated oven (350F). You may also use the air fryer for a few minutes at 400F.

Soft French Bread is Easy to Revive!

It’s simple to restore French bread’s famous crispy crust. I like to use the air fryer, but the oven is also a good choice. Before baking, always moisten and wrap the bread. You may also apply some oil on the outside to add crispiness and taste.

How can you restore the crispiness of store-bought French bread? Share your success secrets with us!