Preserve crustiness/freshness of toasted bread
In long trips i.e. over 3 hours long, I take some toasted break with either pb&j or something inside e.g. slices of turkey etc (toasted).
I wrap them with aluminium foil and place them inside those transparent food bags/freezer bags we use to for placing items in a fridge.
The problem is that the toasted bread becomes very soggy.
Is there a way to prepare/wrap/store them that would be more fresh after few hours?
Best Answer
As has been stated, you are trapping moisture vapour. I don't think it is possible to perfectly preserve the texture of toast over a prolonged period, but you will improve matters by letting the toast fully cool before you construct your sandwich.
Edit: when cooling your toast it is helpful to prop it vertically rather than lying it down as the underside will still get soggy. A toast rack is the perfect way to do this, but you can also just prop the slices against each other like a little tent.
You may also consider wrapping your deli-meats and any salad items separately and only adding them to your sandwich when you are ready to eat.
Mayonnaise will also tend to make your toast soggy, particularly if you use a low-fat version with a higher water content. Butter/spread applied when the toast is cold should only have a minimal damping effect.
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How do you keep a toasted sandwich fresh?
Toasted sandwich wrapped in aluminum foil to keep warm....Try these tips to ensure your sandwich stays fresh:How do you store leftover toasted bread?
Store toasted bread short term in an oven set to low temperature up to 20-30 minutes. For longer storage, place cooled toast into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator up to 24 hours. Store a toasted sandwich by wrapping the cooled toast in a paper towel and place it into an airtight container.How do you keep toasted bread crispy?
When you're ready to serve your toast, use a toast rack instead of putting it on to a plate. The side of the toast touching the plate will 'sweat', producing moisture that will soften the bread. Another option is to simply pop it back into the toaster for a few seconds before serving - it should crisp right back up!What is the best way to preserve bread to keep it fresh?
To save bread so it stays fresh longer, you can store it in plastic wrap, a reusable zip-top plastic bag, or a bread box. Avoid storing bread in damp, airy locations, which can speed up molding. If you're not going to eat the loaf in two or three days, the best option is to freeze it for later.The best way to store your artisan sourdough bread? | Foodgeek Baking
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Answer 2
The issue is that you are trapping moisture with the foil and the plastic bag. I am not sure what you mean by "more fresh." If you want your toasted bread to be crunchy, like it just came out of the toaster, that is a challenge over a several hour time span. I think your best bet would be to toast a bit darker, and perhaps wrap in paper towel or napkin, loosely. This would help, but I don't think you'll be able to preserve the freshly toasted texture completely. Alternately, you could pack the toast (again, wrapped in a napkin) and sandwich filling separately, then build your sandwich when you are ready to eat it. That would also help, though may not be all that convenient.
Answer 3
What about toasting the bread twice. Toast it lightly once, let it cool on a rack, toast it the second time, well done and let it cool well before wrapping it
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