Microwaves are meant for reheating foods that have been cooked earlier. Microwaves are similar to radio waves; with their heating application, you can also cook with them.
This appliance is important in many households and if you often have leftover bread, then we are sure you have wondered if you can warm it in a microwave oven. Stick with us to learn all about reheating bread and the use of microwaves.
Bread is that one thing we never really consider putting inside the microwave and this is because we worry we might burn it and it can end up chewy and spongy as well. Microwaves are your best go-to for leftovers however there are things you should take note of before putting all your leftover foods in a microwave.
Yes, you can warm bread in a microwave however there is a way to go about this. No one likes hard bread however that might be what you end up with if your bread is not reheated properly. To keep your bread moist while reheating, you have to cover it with a paper towel and if your microwave has the micro steam function then have the bread placed on double-layer paper towels.
No one enjoys heating hard bread but that is considered inevitable if it is not reheated properly. There will be times you have leftover bread and the microwave is the only kitchen appliance option you have for reheating it.
Read on to learn how to reheat bread in a microwave while keeping its scent, flavor, and texture.
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The Essential Uses Of A Microwave
A microwave might not be an essential kitchen appliance but it comes in handy which can explain its increasing popularity. It is not only meant for reheating cooked foods but can be used for making citrus fruit juicier, de-crystallizing honey, and heating beauty products.
A microwave uses electromagnetic radiation to cook different varieties of food. This happens to be a versatile appliance and below are lists of surprising things you can use it for.
- Cook easy to throw together from scratch
- Use in making cakes
- Steam vegetables
- Soak beans
- Dry your onions
- Make chips
- Toast nuts
- Peel tomatoes and peaches
- Revive stale bread
- Crisp your food.
Can You Warm Bread In A Microwave?
Microwaves are widely used for a lot of things these days so yes, you can warm bread in a microwave.
Not only can you warm bread in a microwave but it can also be used to soften stale bread. You can revive stale bread in a microwave by wrapping it in a damp paper towel and microwaving it for about 10 seconds. This process will not only soften your bread but also retain its flavor and scent.
While you can warm bread in a microwave, you can also make it hard if it’s not done properly. To warm bread in your microwave, you should use it in the lowest setting possible. You should also have the bread wrapped in a damp towel so as not to ruin the texture.
How to Warm Bread in Microwave Without Making it Hard
You don’t want bread that is too piping hot and chewy to enjoy and this also goes for hard bread.
To ensure your bread doesn’t turn out too hard or hot to enjoy, we recommend keeping the temperature on low to medium power to simply keep it warm. You have to keep an eye on your bread while reheating it as well so you do not over-bake it.
The best way to warm your bread is to wrap it in aluminum foil or damp towel paper before placing it in the microwave. Wrapping bread makes sure moisture is trapped and reduces the chance of your bread turning hard and crisp.
When it needs to reheat bread in the microwave, low and slow is the temperature you have to work with. A temperature of around 300 and 315 degrees F is ideal for warming bread in the microwave.
How Do You Heat Cold Bread in The Microwave?
You can microwave cold bread in your microwave however you have to take some pointers to do that efficiently.
Place your cold bread on a microwave-safe dish and cover with a moist paper towel. Cook on high for 30 seconds then remove it from your microwave and uncover. Ensure this doesn’t become too hot, just needs to be warmed through and not become dry or crumbly.
Wrapping Up
If you are going to warm bread in your microwave, moisture has to be the key focus or you will end up with bread too chewy or too hard.
You can also consider sparing your bread with water before placing it in the microwave as the heat from the microwave can easily dry your bread out. One of the pitfalls you can have is warming your bread for too long in the microwave so keep warming for between 5 and 10 minutes.