Making bread is fun. But there are times when circumstances interrupt your cooking time.
If this happens to you, then it might be the reason why you are reading this post. You might be wondering whether or not you can refrigerate bread dough after it rises.
I was in that situation many times before. Trust me, there is nothing more frustrating than leaving the bread dough.
But don’t worry, you can still save the dough and bake it later. In this post, I will share with you some tips on storing a risen dough.
So, can you refrigerate bread dough after it rises?
Yes, you can refrigerate bread dough after it rises. This is a technique being used by professional bakers. The good thing about this is that it enhances the flavor of the dough.
If this is your first time refrigerating bread dough after rising, then this post will help you do it correctly.
Below are some of the tips and tricks you can use so keep reading.
How to refrigerate bread dough after risen?
Refrigerating bread dough after rising is an excellent way to get the process done faster. This tip works perfectly well even if you are in a rush.
Here are some things you need to know before refrigerating bread dough after rising:
The first step is to put the dough in a greased container or else the dough will stick to it. I prefer using a steel bowl to make sure that nothing sticks.
You will need to punch down the dough before storing it in the fridge. I usually use a rolling pin to do that.
This ensures that the dough is even and not too airy.
How long can you refrigerate bread dough after it rises?
You can keep the risen dough in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and still get great results. However, if there’s no space in your fridge, then placing it on your kitchen counter will do just fine.
The good thing about refrigerating bread dough after rising is that it gives your yeast a chance to rest. This makes the next step easier and more effective.
You must remember not to leave the dough for longer than 2 days in the fridge. If you do, then you will need to make new dough because the old one will have gone bad.
How to thaw the bread dough after refrigeration?
The best way to thaw refrigerated bread dough is by placing it in a greased oven-proof container and leave it overnight.
To speed up this process, I usually place it on my counter for a few hours before baking. But make sure that you don’t let it rise again because it will take several hours to do so.
The dough should not rise more than double its size. Doing this for too long can also kill the yeast because it will start producing gas while still in the fridge.
After your bread dough is thawed, then you are ready to go! You can now bake the most delicious homemade artisan bread ever.
Can you freeze the dough after it rises?
Yes, the risen dough can be frozen. If you like to make big batches of bread dough, then this technique is for you.
Freezing the bread dough after rising makes it easier for you to make homemade bread whenever you want. All you need to do is thaw the dough and continue on with your baking session!
When freezing the dough, make sure that it is triple wrapped with plastic and aluminum foil, or else moisture may get into the bread dough. This can cause your bread to go bad quickly.
If this happens, don’t throw it away because you can still use it to make bread crumbs. Just mash the bread dough and freeze them in an airtight container.
You can also use this to make homemade pizza and pasta dough.
How to thaw a frozen dough?
Letting the frozen dough thaw is fast and easy. Just remove it from your freezer and leave it on your counter for a few hours before baking.
You can also thaw it inside your oven or microwave. Doing this will take 10-15 minutes. The good thing about microwaving the bread dough is that you don’t need to leave it overnight in order for it to thaw.
The frozen dough can also be thawed by placing them directly on the oven rack before baking. This way is a little slower because you will need to adjust the oven temperature.
When it comes to knowing if your bread dough has thawed, you can do a stretch test.
Just pull on one side of the dough and see if it stretches. If it does, then that’s how you know that the dough is ready to be used!
Final Thoughts
So there you have it! I hope this article answered your question.
In case you want to know how long the dough can be kept in the fridge, then I suggest that you leave it for 2 days maximum.
And as for freezing the bread dough, make sure that you triple wrap it before placing it in the freezer. This way, moisture won’t get to your bread dough and make it go bad quickly.
Doing a stretch test is also important when the bread dough is thawed. This will tell you if the dough has been defrosted properly.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, feel free to visit my guide here.
