Best Canned Breads (& Mixes) With Insanely Long Shelf Lives (2024)

By SS Contributor| Updated:12/05/2023

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Best Canned Breads (& Mixes) With Insanely Long Shelf Lives (1)Today I have something really important to share…

A Complete Guide To Buying & Storing Canned Bread For Emergencies

Because having ‘easy-to-make’ bread in your survival pantry is smart.

It will quickly raises everyone’s spirits in times of chaos.

And while Man cannot live on bread alone, that doesn’t mean we have to…

TOPICS IN THIS GUIDE… ↓(click to jump)
  • 4 Surprising Canned Bread Myths
  • Best Canned Breads On The Market
  • What Is Canned Bread Anyway?
  • The Best Ways To Prepare It?
  • Why Buy Bread In A Can
  • How Long Will It Last In Storage?
  • Can You Make Some At Home?
Best Canned Breads (& Mixes) With Insanely Long Shelf Lives (2)

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Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

4 Surprising Canned Bread Myths

O.K. let’s put on our critical thinking caps and bust some myths…

Myth 1: Canned Bread Never Goes Bad

Oh, how I wish this were true.

But the fact is:

No matter how well you can your bread, it won’t last forever.

IT has a shelf life.

Sure, it’ll last longer than regular loaves.

But it won’t live for eternity.

So, don’t forget to rotate your stock.

And keep an eagle eye on the expiration dates.

Myth 2: Canned Bread Tastes Like Fresh

Now, don’t get me wrong, canned bread is a lifesaver.

Especially in an emergency.

But let’s be honest:

It ain’t gonna taste like Grandma’s homemade sourdough.

Slather on some peanut butter or jam to make it more palatable.

But hey, in survival, ALL calories taste amazing.

Myth 3: Canned Bread Is Easy to Make at Home

There’s a complicated process to ensure it stays safe.

You have to pay attention to the methods, pressure levels, and more.

So, if you’re thinking about DIY, do your research first.

Myth 4: Canned Bread is Only for Doomsday Preppers

Canned bread isn’t just for the preppers with bunkers.

It can be handy for:

  • Campers
  • Hikers
  • Busy Parents
  • Or anyone in a pinch

Best Canned Bread (& Mixes) On The Market

Here’s a rundown of our favorite deals today:

1.

Best Canned Breads (& Mixes) With Insanely Long Shelf Lives (3)

B&M Brown Bread, Original Flavor

This old staple is the original canned bread.

It offers all of the benefits for long-term food storage that we mentioned above.

As a recap, it is easy to store, has a long shelf life, and is ready to eat out of the can.

It also offers a delicious treat to those with a taste for molasses.

A note for stocking up: these cans are heavy. As such, it might make more sense to buy in bulk to save on shipping.

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↓ M&M Brown Bread In A Can

2.

Best Canned Breads (& Mixes) With Insanely Long Shelf Lives (4)

B&M Brown Bread, Raisin

B&M’s Raisin Bread is just like the original, but even sweeter.

If you like raisins, it’s a real treat.

The raisins also add some essential nutrients, like magnesium iron, and Vitamin B-6.

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↓ B&M Brown Bread With Raisin

3.

Best Canned Breads (& Mixes) With Insanely Long Shelf Lives (5)

Honey Wheat Bread & Roll Mix Can

My Patriot Supply is a go-to for preppers, for good reason.

Their products are consistently high-quality and reasonably priced. Their Honey Wheat Bread Mix is no exception.

This whole-grain mix only needs water, oil, and yeast to make a tasty dough.

The mix is sold in #10 cans and is perfect for long-term storage.

It has a 10-year shelf life before opening and 1-year shelf life after opening.

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4.

Best Canned Breads (& Mixes) With Insanely Long Shelf Lives (6)

Augason Farms Honey White Bread, Roll Mix

Augason Farms is another prepper favorite, and they earn that title as well.

They stock a full range of emergency and long-term storage food items.

Among them is this stellar bread mix.

The mix makes a standard white bread. It is versatile and can be used in many different recipes.

It also comes in durable #10 cans and can have a shelf life of 10+ years sealed.

One of the highlights of this mix is the price, which is one of the best deals out there.

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5.

Best Canned Breads (& Mixes) With Insanely Long Shelf Lives (7)

Bob's Red Mill Bread Mix, 10 Grain With Yeast Packet

Bob’s Red Mill is a more commercial product and is available in many stores.

It also has a following in the prepper community for its quality and value.

Their bread mix comes in a variety of flavors.

We included the shelf-stable 10-grain mix here, but there is a wide variety to choose from.

They come in 1.18 kg packets that include instant yeast, so all you need to add is oil and warm water.

The directions call for a bread machine, but you can use basically any heat source. One packet makes approximately one 1.5 lb loaf.

This constitutes around 13 servings of bread.

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6.

Best Canned Breads (& Mixes) With Insanely Long Shelf Lives (8)

The Prepared Pantry Country Farm White Bread Mix

The Prepared Pantry is a family-run all-American store in Rigby, Idaho.

We include their bread mix for quality and nutritional value.

Their White Bread Mix makes a tender, all-natural loaf that is rich in taste and nutrients.

This is because it is made with milk. In fact, each loaf is made with the equivalent of ¾ cup of fresh milk.

Preparation calls for water and butter, but you can easily forgo the butter or substitute it for oil.

The Prepared Pantry also has a wide variety of over 100 bread mixes to choose from.

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What Is Canned Bread? | Types (Loaf vs. Mix)

Well…it’s NOT bread you buy from the deli section of your grocery store.

But the differences go beyond THAT.

In fact:

The original New England bread recipe is older than the cans themselves.

It was originally called Boston Brown Bread.

There are recipes that date back to the 17th century.

The traditional recipe calls for cornmeal mixed with:

  • rye flour
  • wheat flour
  • and molasses

The mixture was poured into a coffee pot.

And then steamed until it rose.

This made a very dense sweet brown bread.

The very first recipe was made by B&M in the 1920s.

A Maine cannery now known for its baked beans.

Their recipe is still made with molasses and cornmeal.

It also includes whole wheat flour, baking soda, and salt.

Today, there are two main varieties: plain and with raisins.

And there’s also banana bread.

Another shelf-stable bread option is using a mix.

A bread mix is a powder of various dried ingredients that comes in a can.

Most mixes have flour, powdered milk, powdered eggs, yeast, and various conditioners.

To make bread from them, you need hot water, instant yeast, and vegetable or corn oil.

Best Canned Breads (& Mixes) With Insanely Long Shelf Lives (9)

Want a free 78 item prepper checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

Best Ways To Prepare It

B&M bread comes ready to eat.

Some people like it toasted; others prefer it plain.

In New England, there are two ways to serve it:

  1. One is like toast, with butter, cream cheese, or jam.
  2. The other is with some Boston baked beans and sliced hot dogs.

In YOUR house, you can serve it ANYway you’d like.

Most mixes have instructions.

And most are an excellent addition to a wide variety of recipes.

7 Reasons To Purchase Bread In A Can

First, it’s a great food to include in your stash or pantry.

There are a few solid reasons to stock up on some, including:

1. Good Source Of Several Nutrients

It often contains molasses, which is a great source of:

  1. Essential for blood production and health.
  2. Helps with nerve and muscle function, heart health, cell health, and nutrient absorption.
  3. Needed for muscle and nerve function, blood sugar and blood pressure regulation, and protein, bone, and DNA production.
  4. Aids metabolism, blood clotting, and the formation of bones. Also helps prevent immune inflammation.

It also contains a fair amount of calcium.

Which we need for strong bones and communication between the brain and nerves.

Mixes, meanwhile, also have nutritional benefits.

Some have valuable vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, iron, and potassium.

Some also have protein.

2. Good Caloric Value For Your Money

B&M lists 8 servings at 130 calories each.

This comes out to 1040 calories.

This translates to a dense caloric load for relatively little money.

They also provide a significant amount of calories for the money.

For instance:

The Augason Farms Honey White Bread, Scone, and Roll Mix contains 5,880 caloriesfor just $7.62.

3. Easy To Store

They’re easy to store.

The standard size is the 6 Oz can.

So they’re stackable.

The mixes come in larger, industrial-sized No. 10 cans.

If space is an issue, separated larger ones into smaller pouches.

They all require space with no excess heat, humidity, or salt exposure.

4. Long Shelf Life

As we will discuss later, both cans and mixes have long shelf lives.

5. Versatility

A good long-term storage staple should be versatile.

Prepare it in a variety of ways.

Mixes are even more versatile.

You can make many different recipes from mixes besides bread and rolls.

Mixes also make pizza, pan-fried scones, and other recipes.

6. Easy To Prepare

It’s a ready-made food.

You can slice and eat it straight away.

Mixes also have very little prep.

  • Put the mix in a large bowl
  • Add liquids
  • Stir | Blend
  • Pour Into A Pan
  • Put Pan In Oven For 30 Minutes

That’s it…

The only additional ingredients needed are warm water and oil.

And the only tools are a large bowl, whisk, baking pan, and oven.

7. Morale Booster

When serious emergencies happen, people crave familiar things.

Bread is as familiar as it gets.

It’s comforting in times of uncertainty.

Making it a morale booster.

Best Canned Breads (& Mixes) With Insanely Long Shelf Lives (10)

Want a free 78 item prepper checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

How Long Can It Last? When Will It Go Bad?

Most has an “official” shelf life of two years.

However, the actual shelf life is far longer.

B&M bread can regularly last for 10 years or more.

So long as there are no serious issues with the can.

Mixes have a longer shelf life.

When properly sealed they last for ten years (or more).

Certain brands can last up to 15 or 20 years.

Can You Make Your Own?

It may seem simple to put your own bread in jars.

But unfortunately…

DONT.

These recipes cannot be made safely at home.

Cooking and putting bread in a jar can cause Botulinum.

↓ What Is Botulism?

Botulinum is a bacteria that leads to severe food poisoning.

If there are any botulism spores in the air, they’ll get in.

That way bread is canned under laboratory-tested conditions.

These conditions ensure zero botulinum spores.

And it’s not possible to replicate these conditions at home.

That’s why, we DO NOT suggest making it at home.

Leave it to commercial manufacturers.

Final Thoughts

If you’re into building a DIY survival pantry, add canned bread or mixes.

They make delicious bread, biscuits, or cornbread even during a crisis.

Because your family needs the comfort of a warm slice of bread in a crisis.

Lana Alder

P.s. Do You Live In A 'Danger Zone' County?

Best Canned Breads (& Mixes) With Insanely Long Shelf Lives (11)

Find out now using my Danger Zone County List & Special Report it’s absolutely FREE.

In minutes you’ll know EXACTLY where you stand and if you should be worried or not..

So click here to get my FREE Danger Zone County List & Report…

Best Canned Breads (& Mixes) With Insanely Long Shelf Lives (12)

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  • Best Canned Breads (& Mixes) With Insanely Long Shelf Lives (2024)

    FAQs

    What type of bread has the longest shelf life? ›

    Sourdough bread: Sourdough bread can last for up to a week at room temperature, but may become stale faster than other bread types. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 3 months. Rye bread: Rye bread tends to be more dense and have a longer shelf life than other bread types.

    What is the best bread for long life? ›

    4 types of bread for longevity considered staples in the Blue Zones
    1. Sourdough Bread. Ingredients in sourdough bread made from scratch are simple: water, flour, and sourdough starter is all that's required. ...
    2. Whole Grain Bread Made From Whole Wheat, Rye, and/or Barley. ...
    3. Pita Bread. ...
    4. Cornbread.
    Feb 16, 2022

    What canned food has a long shelf life? ›

    Meat. Canned meat, like tuna, beef, spam, anchovies, sardines, oysters, and chicken, are valuable protein sources with long shelf lives. They can be enjoyed straight out of the can or added to your meals for extra nutritional value.

    How long will canned bread last? ›

    As the research shows, if a food is in a can, it can hang around for quite a while. Travel Food Atlas, for instance, claims that canned bread has a shelf life for up to 2 years, while Skilled Survival says that canned bread can last far longer than 2 years — up to 10 years, in fact, provided the can isn't damaged.

    What bread does not expire? ›

    According to Migoya, sourdough bread remains perfectly fine even six days after coming out of the oven. Fat also keeps bread from staling too quickly—the fattier the bread, the slower its decay. Breads like focaccia, brioche, or panettone, made with large amounts of oil and butter, tend to have a longer shelf life.

    Is there a shelf-stable bread? ›

    Find our new Simply bread in the shelf-stable bread aisle

    Fresh until you're ready to enjoy. We don't use preservatives or anything artificial, so please store in the refrigerator upon opening the inner bag. Enjoy within 5 days.

    What bread is best for elderly? ›

    For those 55 or older, aim to make at least half of your daily grains whole grains by switching out highly processed foods with whole-grain variations. Examples of this include: Swap out white bread and pasta with whole-wheat bread or brown-rice pasta.

    How long does Pepperidge Farm bread last? ›

    LONG LASTING: With a shelf life of 1 year, you can save on waste and slack out as you need it. MENU INSPIRATION: Serve as-is with any number of dishes or use them to create a specialty sandwich. Or top with a dice of vine-ripened tomatoes and a drizzle of balsamic reduction for an easy bruschetta.

    Can you eat 20 year old canned food? ›

    Most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely. In fact, canned goods will last for years, as long as the can itself is in good condition (no rust, dents, or swelling). Packaged foods (cereal, pasta, cookies) will be safe past the 'best by' date, although they may eventually become stale or develop an off flavor.

    What canned food is best for survival? ›

    Canned meats like tuna, chicken, and beef, along with canned vegetables like carrots, green beans, and peas, are packed with protein and essential nutrients, making them ideal for survival situations. And with a shelf life of up to 5 years, canned goods are a reliable choice for long-term survival food storage.

    What canned goods do not expire? ›

    Cans in good condition—meaning no dents, swelling or rust—stored in a cool, clean, dry place are safe indefinitely. We're talking corn, peas, carrots, green beans, asparagus, peaches, pears, pineapple and so much more.

    What is the longest shelf life of bread? ›

    Information. Commercially baked breads and rolls can be stored at room temperature for 2 to 4 days or 7 to 14 days in the refrigerator. Bread products retain their quality when stored in the freezer for 3 months.

    Is canned bread healthy? ›

    They are not designed to withstand the thermal stresses that occur with dry oven heat. Therefore, Clemson Extension strongly discourages consumers from canning cakes and breads in jars. Botulism is a serious and often fatal disease and no consumer should take unnecessary risks with this microorganism.

    Do they still make bread in a can? ›

    As a ready-to-eat version of the regional bread favorite, B&M Brown Bread in a can is a quirky, beloved, and convenient New England tradition.

    What is the maximum shelf life of bread? ›

    Information. Commercially baked breads and rolls can be stored at room temperature for 2 to 4 days or 7 to 14 days in the refrigerator. Bread products retain their quality when stored in the freezer for 3 months. Any breads containing meat or hard cooked eggs must be refrigerated within 2 hours.

    What bread stays fresher longer? ›

    One of the beautiful things about sourdough bread is it will last longer before staling and molding than commercially yeasted bread.

    Can you buy long life bread? ›

    Baker Street White Bread | Pack of 4 | 550g each | Cleverly Packed for Long Life Freshness | Pre-Sliced.

    Does sourdough bread have a longer shelf life? ›

    This is especially true compared with pre-packaged, store-bought loaves. Sourdough's natural acidity discourages bacteria, which means you can keep it fresh for longer. You can generally expect sourdough to last for four to five days at room temperature.

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