Does somebody in your house object to eating bread that is a little dry? I have two children who do not like bread if it is even the slightest bit dry. They recommend that I use it to feed the birds, but instead of following their advice I use the leftover bread to make croutons, bread crumbs, French toast, Bruschetta, and Bread Pudding. Here is a collection of recipes and tips for using up leftover or stale bread.
Recipes Using Bread Crumbs:
Beth of A Word from Aunt B says that she creates bread crumbs in her food processor and then places them in freezer bags and stores them in the freezer until she has need of them. Beth says, “Breadcrumbs are handy things to have in the larder: They can top a casserole or pasta dish, they can be used as breading on fried or oven baked meats, and they are an essential binder in meatloaf, and in many other recipes”. I've included a few recipes that she makes using her homemade bread crumbs below along with a few of my recipes.
Recipes Using Croutons:
Judy of Savoring Today says that she uses leftover cornbread to make for croutons for soups and chili. She says, “Cornbread freezes well too”.
How to Make Garlic and Herb Croutons
How to Make Croutons
Wild Rice Stuffing
Baked Chicken Parmesan
Baked Zucchini Parmesan
Bread Pudding Recipes:
April of 21st Century Housewife says it is almost better to make bread pudding with slightly stale bread. And Beth of Aunt B on a Budget uses day-old bread to make a sweet bread pudding and stale croissants to make a savory bread pudding.
Ginger and Jam Bread and Butter Pudding
Banana and Raisin Bread Pudding
Savoury Croissant Bread Pudding with Andouille Sausage
Bruschetta Recipes:
Since you are going to toast the bread to make bruschetta, nobody will know if you created your appetizers using slightly stale bread!
Tomato and Basil Bruschetta
Toasted Bruschetta with Crispy Proscuitto
Carmelized Onion and Blue Cheese Bruschetta
How do you use up your leftover or stale bread?
Beth @Aunt B's kitchen says
Nice round-up Alea. Thank you so much for including my links. 🙂 I”m looking forward to trying the other recipes.
Judy @Savoring Today says
Great ideas here — thanks for including me in the roundup! 🙂
April @ The 21st Century Housewife says
I read recently that in terms of food waste, bread is the thing that is thrown away the most, so this is a very timely post! You’ve given so many excellent ideas, there’s no excuse to throw away bread anymore 🙂 Thank you for including my Ginger Jam Bread and Butter Pudding in the roundup.
Pat says
I use leftover stale bread crumbs in my meat loafs, also for making meatballs. Bread puddings, with any extras, like rasins, apples and such are lovely. I also use them as sprinkless over casseroles and things like mac and cheese. mmmmm.
'Becca says
I like to make a Cheesy Vegetable Bread Pudding! Bread crumbs and croutons are great, too, and I’m interested in some of the other recipes you linked. Thanks for this great roundup–I added a link to it in my article.