How To Fix Undercooked Bread

When baking bread, a lot of things can go wrong. This is especially true if you are a beginner. Sometimes, it is hard to tell whether your bread is ready for consumption or is still undercooked.

Often, the outside of the loaf looks wonderful and browned but you can’t see the contents inside unless you slice it. When you do check on it and realize that it is not fully cooked, you might wonder if you can re-bake it without burning the whole food. Well, we have some good news for you – you actually can, and we’re here to help you.

How to fix undercooked bread

Reheating your recipe in the oven is a safe and effective way of fixing undercooked bread. Reheat at 350F for a few more minutes. This works with loaves of bread where the outside looks good but the insides are still mushy or gummy. Tent it with foil to prevent browning if that will be an issue.

What causes bread to be undercooked?

Almost all cakes and pastries require your oven to be preheated before use. If the oven’s too cool, you’ll probably be dealing with a loaf of bread that doesn’t rise as high, breaking your expectations.

Once it’s preheated, make sure it’s also not too hot because you’ll be at risk of toasting the bread inside and out. Verify your oven’s temperature with an oven thermometer to make sure you are using the right temperature.

Another important factor that greatly affects your bread consistency is your overall flour management. To get ideal results, simply measure all your ingredients by weight and not by volume. It is recommended to measure using grams instead of cups for accuracy. If your flour is inadequate, the dough will be wet and your loaf will look soggy and undercooked. 

You should also be testing the bread’s doneness using a digital thermometer. Inserting the thermometer in the middle of the loaf and looking at the temperature should provide more information if the bread is already cooked or if it needs more time in the oven. Aim for at least 190-200F to prevent undercooking.

Lastly, make sure to cool your bread properly. Beginners often mistake their breads as undercooked when the only problem is they haven’t properly cooled it on a cooling rack.

It’s tempting to slice freshly baked bread while warm because of its looks and smell, but it’s also important to completely cool it down for a few hours before slicing it to achieve your desired consistency.

How can you tell if the bread is done?

Using a toothpick by placing it in the center and checking if it comes out clean is a simple way to determine if your bread is done. If it is fully cooked, the toothpick should be free of any dough or can come with just a few moist crumbs.

For yeast breads, the top must be golden brown and it should make a hollow sound when tapped. Using a thermometer also helps to confirm if your bread is ready for consumption. French breads are fully cooked when the thermometer reads somewhere between 200-205F while breads that contain eggs get fully cooked at 185-190F.

Moreover, if you do decide to re-bake them, do so within two hours of cooling from the oven. Bacteria from raw eggs can develop if you wait longer than that.

Is it safe to consume undercooked bread?

Like other food that uses dairy products and eggs, it is strongly discouraged to consume bread when it is undercooked. Foods that use flour, eggs, and dairy products contain dangerous bacteria like salmonella or E. coli which can wreak havoc on your digestive system.

This is especially true for children so it’s best to play it safe and not eat any undercooked bread.

How do you make the perfect bread every time?

There are some helpful tips to remember to make sure your bread comes out perfect every time you take them out in the oven. It’s always better to bake with a simple recipe especially when you’re a beginner. Use only four ingredients when you’re starting. These include flour, water, salt, and yeast. Taking your time is essential in order to achieve the flavor you’re aiming for.

As mentioned earlier, weighing is almost always better than measuring. Even professionals attest to this tried and tested method because your bread will stay consistent every time you make one. Also do not forget to salt your bread.

This gives it so much depth in flavor. Try increasing or decreasing salt in any recipe provided you’re following safe salt content levels for health reasons.

Making the perfect bread means always preheating the oven. It’s essential in order for you to make delicious bread.  Also, know which crust works best for your bread. Once your recipe is done, let the bread cool on a cooling rack for a few hours before slicing it.

Additionally, do not forget to develop your own bread recipe or specialty. Use a recipe that you like and make it your own so that your friends and loved ones will always be looking forward to it.

Can I put bread in the fridge?

Putting bread in the fridge is not ideal because it will dry out too quickly. Putting it in the freezer meanwhile is a much better alternative. Use a sealed plastic wrap to keep your extra bread fresh for up to 3 months.

When it’s time to bake it, simply thaw at room temperature and reheat for several minutes in the oven or an oven rack.

Conclusion

Nothing beats eating homemade bread accompanied with a nice and warm soup when you’ve just got home from a meeting.

We are confident that you’ll be able to create perfectly baked bread as long as you remember all the basic elements you need to do when prepping for a great bread recipe.

Lastly, just remember that consuming undercooked bread is dangerous to your health that’s why making sure it is baked properly should always be your top priority.