Can Dough Over Proof In The Fridge?

As aspiring bakers, we often find ourselves entranced by the magical process of dough fermentation.

The careful balance of ingredients, the patient waiting, and the delightful anticipation of watching our dough rise and transform into delectable baked goods—it’s a truly captivating journey.

Yet, as we navigate the realm of dough handling and storage, one question lingers in our minds: Can dough overproof in the fridge?

Yes, dough can overproof in the fridge if it is left to ferment for too long. However, the cold temperature of the fridge slows down the fermentation process significantly.

So, it typically takes much longer for dough to overproof in the fridge compared to proofing at room temperature. 

Overproofing occurs when the yeast in the dough ferments the sugars too quickly and exhausts its food source, resulting in dough that is weak, collapsed, or lacking structure.

While it’s less likely to happen in the fridge, it can still occur if the dough is left in the fridge for an excessively long period.

The exact time it takes for dough to overproof in the fridge depends on various factors, such as the recipe, the type and amount of yeast used, and the temperature of the fridge.

Generally, dough can be stored in the fridge for 1-3 days without significant overproofing. However, it’s always best to follow a specific recipe’s instructions for refrigeration and keep an eye on the dough’s appearance and texture.

Is It Possible To Retard Dough For Long Periods Of Time?

When the dough is chilled in the refrigerator for the first few hours, microbial activity levels are high due to the dramatic impact of temperature on fermentation.

Fermentation slows down once the dough reaches a temperature below 40°F. We keep our starters in the refrigerator for the same reason.

When the dough reaches refrigerator temperatures without running out of food, it won’t overproof.

You can bake it after 10, 20 (or 40) more hours in the cold and still get a nice oven spring.

For those who want specifics, I tell them to leave the dough in the refrigerator as long as they like, but not so long that it becomes overgrown and collapses.

Overproofing usually occurs when bulk fermentation goes too far, but I’ve had it happen in the refrigerator as well.

The dough is depleted of its food source before it even reaches the final proofing stage. Or if I let the dough go too long before “retarding” or refrigerating it after the final proof at room temperature.

The fridge improves the quality of my dough so much that I allow it to rise almost all of the time. My bread rises anywhere from 16-72 hours, depending on the amount of yeast I use and the type of bread I’m making.

Gluten develops, and flavors enhance with a longer rise. It’s definitely worth the effort. You can certainly benefit from refrigerating your dough, but you don’t want to overproof it if you don’t plan carefully.

Will Dough Over Proof In The Fridge?

In the fridge, dough can overproof, but if you’re careful, it’s unlikely. It depends primarily on the quantity of yeast used as to how long it will last before overproving.

If you don’t overproof the dough, a ball of dough can stay in the fridge for up to a week.

Yeast overproofs when its sugars and starches run out. As a result, the dough does not rise much and does not brown properly when it is baked.

It will speed up the rise if too much yeast is added because they consume their resources very quickly.

The dough will rise faster with more yeast, but it will also be overproof within a shorter time frame.

You’re much more likely to overproof your bread dough if you add a lot of yeast to it and store it in the fridge.

When storing yeast, make sure you use the right amount for the length of time you plan to keep it. For longer rising times, less is best.

A tiny quantity of yeast won’t prevent dough from rising, but it will take much longer.

Tips For Storing Your Dough In The Fridge

The process of storing your dough in the fridge might seem simple, but there are some mistakes you can make that could lead to the dough being ruined.

When you put your dough in the fridge, it will usually be fine, but you still need to be careful and keep these tips in mind.

Refrigerating On The First Rise Is Safer Than On The Second Rise

You can make good bread by proofing your shaped dough in the fridge and baking it right away, but it’s much easier and safer just to place your dough in the refrigerator for its first rise.

If it collapses/over proofs, it will still be able to be shaped and baked as usual. The problem will be more severe if the dough collapses/over proofs during the last rise.

Putting the dough in the fridge for its first rise is easier than proving it either way.

Keep An Eye On It

The dough should be kept under close observation for the first few hours after it has been refrigerated.

When the dough doesn’t get chilled quickly enough, it can continue to rise too much and too quickly.

Make sure it doesn’t rise too quickly by checking it every 30 minutes. Once it chills to fridge temperature, it should rise very slowly, so once it cools, you don’t have to worry about it.

If it has grown too quickly and is close to doubling in size, you should take one of two steps. 

As soon as it starts to rise, punch it down, reshape it into a ball, and put it in the fridge. You’ll want to bake it soon if it’s on its final proof and fully risen, otherwise, it’ll overproof.

Keep It Airtight

It is essential to keep your dough moist on the surface in order to prevent the dough from drying out and failing to rise.

If you don’t keep your dough properly covered, you’ll end up with a tough, dry dough surface like leather.

Making quality bread requires something that prevents it from drying out, whether it is plastic wrap or an airtight lid.

Use An Appropriate Container

Material and size of the container are both important. Several types of foods are stored in plastic containers, and there is much debate on the internet regarding their safety.

I don’t use plastic containers for rising my dough, although many do. When it comes to food containers/baking vessels, I prefer metal or glass.

It should also be of an appropriate size. Ensure it will fit in your refrigerator by considering the room for rising.

Use Less Yeast For A Slower Rise

Refrigerating your dough slows the rise considerably, which is one of the main reasons. Even though the cold temperature definitely slows it, cutting back on yeast is still a good idea.

A lower yeast content in the dough will result in a slower rate of gas production, which results in a slower rise of the dough.

If you plan on refrigerating your dough for more than 24 hours, you should aim for a slower rise.

It’s risky to use a standard amount of yeast in your dough, especially if it’s warm when it’s put in the fridge. 

There is a possibility that the dough will continue to rise more than expected during the first couple of hours because it is still warm.

Also, the temperature of your refrigerator affects how fast your dough rises. It will rise slower at a colder temperature.

How Long Can You Keep Dough In The Fridge?

It can take anywhere from a day to a week for your dough to overproof depending on how much yeast you use. 

Generally, the longer the dough lasts, the less yeast and the colder the fridge. Based on the ingredients used, a ball of dough can last for a different amount of time before going bad.

In the fridge, dough consisting of flour, water, salt, and yeast will last the longest and can remain active for up to a week. 

More than this and the yeast’s food supply will be depleted, but you can still bake and eat the dough. If you bake this, it won’t rise.

The life expectancy of enriched dough will be shorter since it contains easily spoilable ingredients like milk and eggs.

Milk can spoil quickly even after yeast activity is still detectable after around a week. Because of this, enriched dough shouldn’t be baked and eaten after more than five days in the fridge.

You are doing so at your own risk if you consume enriched dough after this period. A dough that has been enriched is best baked the same day it has been mixed, or at least two days after it has been mixed.

Dough that contains ingredients such as sugar, oil, or butter won’t spoil easily, so any dough containing these will last a long time.

Is It Better To Refrigerate Your Dough On The First Or Second Rise?

The fact that dough rises better when refrigerated is well established, but it is not well established whether to allow it to rise during its first rise or during its second rise.

As refrigerating the dough slows the rise and develops more flavor, it does not matter when you refrigerate it. It’s going to get results as long as the dough rises for a long time.

Therefore, it will be less problematic if the dough collapses if you refrigerate it during the first rise. All that needs to be done is to shape it and prove. 

Adding the second rise to the refrigerator can be beneficial, but overdoing it will result in a lackluster product. You may have difficulty reshaping and reproofing it if it collapses in the bread tin/baking vessel.

When the dough is first rising and then rising again, you can refrigerate it if you choose, but it isn’t necessary. 

If you want to avoid this, you should just refrigerate the dough for a longer time on the first rise and let it rest at room temperature for the final proof. The flavor will still develop.

It is up to you whether you refrigerate your dough during the first rise or the second rise. 

Depending on the dough, some dough is chilled primarily on the first rise, some on the second rise, and some on both rises. 

The method you use should just be based on your preference, but it would be a good idea to experiment so you can find out how each one works.

Final Words

If you want to slow down the fermentation process even further, you can reduce the amount of yeast used in the recipe or use cooler temperatures in the fridge, but keep in mind that this will lengthen the overall proofing time.