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The best bread boxes can help prevent mold and keep loaves of bread from getting stale quickly. Blair is no stranger to homemade bread recipes, and she relies on her bread box to store loaves like her jalapeño cheddar bread or classic honey wheat bread.
“We’ve used our bread box for longer than I can remember—well over a decade! I love that it’s extra-large, so it stores more than just a single loaf of bread. We keep sandwich bread, hamburger and hot dog buns, and other goodies in there!”
Suffice it to say, if you’re going to cook as much bread as Blair does, or want to keep store-bought bread fresher longer, you’ll want to invest in a bread box. Even if you use yours for storing other essentials too, it’s convenient to have the necessities accessible but also out of sight. It’s a pro hack for anyone trying to keep their countertops organized!
To pick the best bread boxes, Blair and I researched many different container types—the best for homemade bread, the best bread box for sourdough, and the best for storing multiple loaves. We focused on unique and beautiful bread boxes that are also efficient at keeping bread as fresh as possible while keeping moisture out.
Our Top Picks:
- Blair’s Top Pick: Baie Mason Farmhouse Bread Box (With Utensil Holder) – $45.95 at Amazon
- Best Roll Top: Brabantia Stainless Steel Roll Top Bread Bin – $50.54 at Walmart
- Best Splurge: Williams Sonoma Olive Wood Bread Box – $199.95 at Williams Sonoma
- Best Budget: Home-It Stainless Steel Bread Box – $28.90 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Bread Boxes
1. Blair’s Top Pick: Baie Mason Farmhouse Bread Box (With Utensil Holder)
One of the best bread boxes for kitchen countertops is the Baie Mason Farmhouse Bread Box, which is very similar to the vintage-inspired bread box on Blair’s own kitchen counter that she picked up at a local shop.
As anyone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen knows, anything that organizes and is also cute is a big plus; in fact, Blair’s bread box moonlights as secret storage for other frequently-used necessities that need to be kept accessible.
“I also love that it keeps my countertops looking more organized and clear since you can’t see all of the different packaging sitting out,” Blair adds.
Made of carbon steel and an FDA-safe powdered coat, the Provence Large Farmhouse Bread Box is dent resistant. It’s big enough to fit two loaves of bread (plus a little extra), and the bonus utensil holder that comes with it features a padded base, so you never have to worry about it scratching the countertop (although it’s also sold without it). It’s perfect for storing everything from Blair’s Classic Farmhouse Oatmeal Bread to her iconic Blueberry Bread.
The Specs:
- Materials: Carbon steel and FDA-safe powder coated
- Size: 9.5 x 13.2 x 12.5 inches (with lid)
- Includes: 6.5 x 5.3-inch utensil holder
The Pros:
- Great value
- Durable and long-lasting
- Can fit two loaves of bread
The Cons:
- Might be too tall for some under-cabinet areas
- No padding on the bottom of the bread box itself
- Bulky for those with limited counter space
Buy the Baie Mason Farmhouse Bread Box:
2. Best Roll Top: Brabantia Stainless Steel Roll Top Bread BinÂ
If you’ve got little ones who are always reaching for baked goods, you’ll be happy to know that the Brabantia Roll Top Bread Bin is made of fingerprint-proof matte steel (and it’s corrosion-resistant, to boot)! The bread bin does resemble a toaster oven more than a traditional bread box—at least aesthetically— but it’s extremely convenient to open: Its top actually rolls back into the inside compartment, so it takes up less of your counter space.
The most important thing with a roll top is that it’s easy/intuitive, doesn’t stick, and rolls seamlessly without issue—all of which this Brabantia model executes well. In fact, you could probably roll it up using only one hand! Not only is the bread box made of 48 percent recycled material, it’s also achieved a bronze-level certification with Cradle-to-Cradle, meaning it’s 97 percent recyclable (at the end of its life).
The Specs:
- Materials: Stainless steel
- Dimensions: 9.84 x 18.3 x 7.36 inches
- Weight: 3.4 lbs
- Capacity volume: 16 liters
The Pros:
- Made of fingerprint-proof matte steel
- Durable and corrosion resistant
- Saves space by top rolling back into the inside
- Made of some recycled material and Cradle-to-Cradle certified
The Cons:
- Looks more like an appliance than a bread box, aesthetically
- Takes up a lot of counter space length-wise
- Scratches easily
What Others Are Saying
Delish and Food and Wine both voted the Brabantia Stainless Steel Roll Top Bread Bin to be the best bread box overall.
Buy the Brabantia Stainless Steel Roll Top Bread Bin:
3. Best Splurge: Williams Sonoma Olivewood Bread Box
Despite its hefty price tag, the Williams Sonoma Olivewood Bread Box is well worth the splurge. When it comes to something like a bread box, you really can’t overlook the aesthetic aspect because, unlike a kitchen tool you can easily hide in a drawer, it’s going to be displayed right there on your countertop! Besides being gorgeous, the Olivewood Bread Box is sturdy, functional, and best of all, features a transparent door that gives you a clear view of what’s inside.
So not only does the box keep your bread as fresh as possible for as long as possible, once it does start to turn, you’ll be able to see the first signs of trouble (a.k.a. mold). But while the acrylic door is easily wiped clean, the rest of the bread box is not. Because it’s made from solid olivewood, the bread box material has unique grains and is moisture resistant—but also challenging to clean. You’ll have to dab it with mild soap and water. And to ensure it doesn’t lose its natural luster over time, you’ll need to rub it with food-safe mineral oil every once in a while.
The Specs:
- Materials: Solid olivewood with sliding acrylic doors
- Dimensions: 15 x 9 ½ x 7 ½ inches
- Weight: 1.69 lbs.
The Pros:
- Clear view of what’s inside
- Grain patterns unique to each box
- Fits under most overhead cabinets
The Cons:
- Hand-wash only, no soaking
- Loses luster over time
What Others Are Saying
Food & Wine and The Spruce Eats found the Williams Sonoma Olivewood Bread Box to be the best wooden bread box they tested.
Buy the Williams Sonoma Olivewood Bread Box:Â
4. Best Budget: Home It Stainless Steel Bread Box
If you’re looking for the best bread box to prevent mold at an affordable price, look no further than the Home-It Stainless Steel Bread Box. Storing bread in humid climates is the perfect storm in which mold likes to strike, but this box’s built-in, interior ventilation holes combat humidity and excess moisture buildup. It’s also relatively lightweight, fits most (if not all) countertops, and is reasonably priced!
Unlike some other stainless steel bread boxes, this one has a plastic trim design that protects it from scratches (one of the main concerns of most metal models). Sleek in design, it can hold several loaves—plus, other goodies like cookies and baked goods—at a time.
The Home-It Stainless Steel Bread Box is rust-resistant and although fingerprints and smudges may look more pronounced thanks to its steel sheen, it’s easier to clean and will long outlast the rest of the appliances in your kitchen–making it an overall great value.
The Specs:
- Materials: Steel
- Dimensions: 16.5 x 8 x 10 inches
- Weight: 3.1 lbs
The Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Ample ventilation holes inside
- Plastic trim designed to prevent scratches
- Affordable
The Cons:
- Takes up a lot of counter space
- Prone to fingerprints and dents
What Others Are Saying
The Spruce Eats found the Home-It Bread Box to be the best large bread box they tested. It has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon from more than 13,700 reviews.
Buy the Home It Stainless Steel Bread Box:
Other Bread Boxes to Consider
LuvURKitchen Large Bamboo Bread Box
Along with its quaint, farmhouse vibes, this cupboard-style bread box from LuvUR Kitchen is made from food-grade bamboo, features a full-size, adjustable shelf, and comes with a cutting board and a steel cutting knife. Not only is it the most bang for your buck in terms of size and the “freebies,” that come with it, but it’s also outfitted with handy dandy magnets that help the knife stay in place and the doors tightly shut so you never have to worry about losing the knife or letting in too much moisture. The one drawback is that assembly is required. The LuvURKitchen Large Bread Box is available at Amazon for $43.94.
Culinary Couture Large Countertop Bread Box
With a standout color selection of turquoise, light pink, orange, purple, yellow, and more (including subtler neutrals), this bread box has a quintessential vintage feel as it’s made from stainless steel—so it’s resistant to rust or corrosion. The lid shuts tightly enough to keep out unwanted critters without sacrificing airflow (there are tiny holes in the back), ensuring the bread stays fresh. The Culinary Couture Large Countertop Bread Box is available at Amazon for $37.99.
This product from Yamazaki isn’t a bread box but a heavy-duty bread tower. The spacious, minimalist design is inspired by the concept of Japanese “small living,” so the bread box yields a lot of room for something so compact. The front panel is conveniently held shut by a magnet strip, you can stack things on top of it, and a gap of just 0.5 inches leaves enough airflow to ventilate. The one drawback is the high price tag. The Yamazaki Home Tower Bread Box is available at Amazon for $128.80.
Oggi Stainless Steel Roll Top Bread Box with Tempered Glass Lid
Made of food-grade steel and a tempered glass lid, this metal bread box features a large, easy-to-grip handle that makes opening and closing a smooth transition. With rubber feet in each corner (for countertop protection!), this Oggi model is well-made and will definitely stand the test of time. The Oggi Stainless Steel Roll Top Bread Box with Tempered Glass Lid is available at Amazon for $45.
Williams Sonoma Pantry Bread Box
Porcelain boxes aren’t as ideal for humid climates or other leavened bread, but they’re the best bread box for sourdough since this naturally-yeasted bread can easily exist in a dryer climate thanks to its own moisture levels (without the need for added ventilation). The Williams-Sonoma bread box offers the convenient, two-for-one benefit that’s both a bread box and a cutting board, but it lacks ventilation holes that other types of bread require to stay fresh. Its compact size is ideal for one artisan loaf, but it’s one of the more expensive bread boxes on this list. The Pantry Bread Box is available at Williams Sonoma for $129.95.Â
Why You Can Trust Us
I’m Stephanie, a food, lifestyle, and sustainability writer who specializes in product reviews and am passionate about all kinds of bread (including focaccia, sourdough, and any kind of Greek bread). I worked on this roundup of the best bread boxes with Blair of The Seasoned Mom—who uses her favorite bread box to keep her recipes for Buttermilk Biscuits, Jalapeño Cheddar Bread, and Southern Sweet Potato Bread fresh.
To find the best bread boxes, we started in Blair’s kitchen, then researched the most popular and well-rated bread boxes at major retailers and compared buying guides from culinary experts and other trusted review sites. Then, we finalized our list of the best bread boxes, taking into consideration everything from materials and prices to efficiency in extending the shelf life of bread.
What to Know About Bread Boxes
Do Bread Boxes Keep Bread Fresh?
A bread box is an alternative to keeping bread in its plastic packaging (which can make the bread go bad more quickly). The goal of a bread box is to prevent mold growth, monitor moisture, keep baked goods safe from critters, and retain bread’s intended texture (crunchy vs. soft, etc.).
How Do Bread Boxes Work?
Bread should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place. Bread boxes provide controlled environments that, through monitored air circulation, prevent humidity levels from getting either too high or too low. These containers have ventilation, which actually works to control the humidity inside the box. With the humidity controlled, a bread box is less likely to develop condensation, mold, and retrogradation, which is what makes bread go stale. Bread boxes can keep out little, unwanted critters as well!
Mold-free as it may be, it’s important to regularly clean your bread box. Wipe down the interior with warm, soapy water or a solution of 1:1 vinegar and water, and remove excess crumbs after each loaf. Regular cleaning will dissuade any mold spores from spreading and will prevent ants as well.
What Makes a Good Bread Box?
If you’re researching bread boxes, you’ll want to consider size, material, ventilation, lid design, and price.
Size
Consider how much bread you’ll be storing; some hold one loaf, while others hold two or more. Some boxes also have adjustable shelving, making use of vertical space. How much counter space you have is also a factor.
Ventilation
Most bread boxes supply ventilation through interior holes that circulate the air; however, some models may not offer this option, or may have loose-fitting lids instead.
Lid Design
When it comes to lid design, there’s roll-top, hinged, cutting board, magnetic, and more. Roll-tops use less space to open than hinged models. Magnetic closures may not be as secure but are easy to open and close.
Materials
Materials like wood (including bamboo), stainless steel, ceramic, or plastic are commonly used for bread boxes. Plastic is the cheapest option but it’s also not as durable and often not as aesthetically pleasing.
Wooden bread boxes are usually bigger and may have a vintage appeal; however, humid climates can potentially warp the wood over time.
A ceramic bread box works best in dry climates but is prone to break and chip and may not have ventilation (but is a good choice for sourdough bread). If you decide to go with ceramic for other types of bread, be sure the lid is loosely fitting to allow some ventilation.
Stainless steel is best for humid climates (as it is not prone to warping, like wood), but can showcase smudges and fingerprints more prominently and is prone to dents and scratches.
Price
Most bread boxes are priced between $25 and $60, however, some models may cost $60 to $200 depending on the brand, size, or material type.
Are bread boxes necessary?
Bread should always be taken out of its plastic packaging because the lack of airflow can expedite mold growth. However, storing bread in a paper bag is a great, more affordable alternative to investing in a long-term bread box. While you can also freeze bread to keep it lasting longer, bread boxes are ideal for those who frequently bake their own bread at home.
The Best Homemade Bread Recipes
Homemade bread may just be one of the recipes Blair makes the most. If you’re new to bread-making, start with these classics:
Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
