Leftover bread is one of those foods that can easily go to waste, especially when it starts to dry out before we finish the loaf.
But slightly stale bread can still be useful in so many ways.
From easy recipes like croutons, breadcrumbs and French toast to simple ways to use it in everyday cooking, there are plenty of ideas that can help you waste less food and save money at the same time.
You will read in this post 21 practical ways to use leftover bread instead of throwing it away.
I wrote earlier few posts about how to reduce your waste to protect the environment, prevent pollution, preserve natural resources, and of course, save money. You can check out these posts:
• 35 unexpected benefits of orange peels
• 20 amazing reasons to keep silica gel packets
• 16 incredible health benefits of pomegranate peel
• 20 ways to reuse used coffee grounds
• 14 clever ways to reuse empty toilet paper rolls
• 8 brilliant uses of egg shells.
How long does bread last?
How long bread stays fresh depends on the type of bread and how it is stored.
Packaged bread may last several days at room temperature, while fresh bakery or homemade bread can dry out more quickly.
To keep bread for longer, store it well sealed and freeze any extra portions you will not use soon.
If bread develops mould, an unusual smell or visible spoilage, it should be discarded.
Can you eat leftover breads?
Yes, bread that is a little stale or dry can still be perfectly useful for cooking.
Stale bread works especially well for things like breadcrumbs, croutons, French toast, bread pudding and other recipes where the bread does not need to be fresh.
However, if the bread has visible mould, an unusual smell or other signs of spoilage, throw it away rather than trying to cut off the affected part.
How to keep bread fresh longer?
Keep bread well sealed to slow down drying out.
If you won’t use the loaf within a few days, freezing is one of the best ways to keep it for longer.
You can freeze the whole loaf or individual slices in a freezer-safe bag. If freezing slices, place a little baking paper between them so you can remove only what you need.
How to refresh day-old bread?
If your bread is stale but not mouldy, you may be able to freshen it up before using it.
For a whole loaf, lightly dampen the outside, wrap it loosely in foil, and warm it in the oven until heated through.
You can uncover it for the last few minutes if you want the crust to crisp up again.
For a single slice or small piece, wrap it in a slightly damp paper towel and microwave it for a few seconds at a time until softened.
Only refresh bread that is stale or dry. Do not try to revive bread that has mould or other signs of spoilage.
1/ Make Garlic Bread:
Slightly stale bread is perfect for turning into quick homemade garlic bread.
Mix softened butter with crushed garlic and a little parsley or dried herbs, then spread it over the bread.
Bake until the edges are crisp and the butter has melted into the bread.
It works well as a side for pasta, soup or salad, and it’s an easy way to use bread that is no longer soft enough for sandwiches.
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2/ Make Crispy Bread Chips:
If your bread is getting dry, turn it into crunchy bread chips instead of throwing it away.
Slice the bread thinly, brush or drizzle it lightly with olive oil, and add seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, Italian herbs or a little salt.
Bake until crisp and golden.
Bread chips are great with dips, hummus, soup or as a simple snack.
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3/ Make a Savoury Breakfast Strata:
Leftover bread is also perfect for a breakfast strata or savoury bread bake.
Cut the bread into cubes and place them in a baking dish with beaten eggs, milk, cheese and any vegetables you have on hand.
You can also add cooked chicken, turkey or other fillings if you like.
Let the bread soak up the egg mixture, then bake until golden and set.
It’s a great way to use several leftover ingredients at once and makes an easy breakfast or brunch.
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4/ Make breadcrumbs:
The first thing that comes to my mind about using leftover bread is making breadcrumbs. You can use any kind of bread to make homemade breadcrumbs to add extra flavour and texture to dishes . Simply follow these steps:
1- tear the bread into pieces and drop it into a food processor fitted with blade.
2- Grind down bread in the food processor.
3- spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
4- bake it on 300F for 10 minutes or until the colour golden brown. Then Let it cool.
5- use immediately, or place your bread crumbs into snaplock bags and store in the freezer for up to three months.
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5/ Make bread sauce:
Bread sauce is a classic way to use stale bread and works especially well with roast chicken or turkey.
Make breadcrumbs from your leftover bread, then cook them gently with milk or cream, onion and warm spices such as bay leaf, nutmeg and cloves.
The result is a creamy, comforting sauce that turns dry bread into something completely different.
You may like this post:
20 smart ways to reuse tea bags
20 unbelievable uses of onion peels and scraps
24 things you can do with milk before it expires
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6/ Make homemade croutons:
This melt-in-your-mouth Homemade Crouton Recipe is so easy to make right at home and tastes a million times better than store-bought! Learn How to Make Croutons from scratch with this easy, delicious, and completely customizable recipe.
Use these croutons to top a soup or salad. I made these croutons along with the creamy red lentils and mung beans soup. It was a hit for my entire family!
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7/ Make bread pudding Muffins:
Turn stale bread into something truly scrumptious! Bread pudding muffins are quick and easy, and individual portions make them perfect for dessert, snacks, or packing in picnics or lunches.
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8/ Make Cinnamon raisin bread pudding:
Full of raisins and walnuts, this Cinnamon Bread Pudding Recipe is an easy dessert to make and a great use for day-old bread!
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9/ Make lemon blueberry bread pudding:
Leftover bread is perfect to use for Lemon Blueberry Bread Pudding! The dried, toasted bread is perfect to soak up a delicious dessert custard.
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10/ Make Capirotada:
Capirotada is made of layers of broken or sliced crusty bread, dried fruits and nuts, covered in either a sugar syrup or a creamy milk mixture then baked.
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11/ Chocolate chip and vanilla bread and butter pudding:
It is just chocolate pudding heaven! It’s an easy leftover bread and butter pudding recipe with an indulgent twist which makes a memorable dessert!
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12/ Make Torrejas:
Torrejas is a type of Mexican French toast that’s made of leftover bread and a fluffy egg mixture. Fry and drizzle with syrup before serving.
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13/ Overnight French toast casserole:
Turn leftover bread into the most incredible breakfast ever with this delicious Overnight French Toast Casserole recipe.
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14/ Make Ribollita Italian bean soup:
Whip up a hearty, healthy, and delicious meal with Ribollita Italian bean soup, made with a variety of vegetables, beans, broth, garlic, and seasonings. Also known as Tuscan bean soup or Italian bread and vegetable soup, this simple Italian soup recipe is a great way to use up any veggies in your salad drawer or anything approaching the end of its prime.
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15/ Make Bread upma:
Also known as bread poha, it is an easy and flavorful Indian recipe made with leftover bread.
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16/ Roasted winter panzanella salad:
This Roasted vegetable panzanella combines root vegetables with dried cranberries and crispy bread to create a delicious salad!
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17/ Make Chickpea fatteh:
Chickpea fatteh is a great way to use up leftover pita bread as a tasty snack, with crisp bread chips, garlicy yogurt and herbs.
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18/ Make Sopa de ajo:
Sopa de ajo is a simple Spanish soup that uses up leftover bread, and combines it with broth, garlic and a few other ingredients. It may not use many ingredients but it has great flavor.
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19/ Vegan sweet and sour cabbage soup:
Vegan sweet and sour cabbage soup is a hearty bowlful of cold-weather comfort. This classic gets a bit more heft with homemade croutons nestled into each serving.
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20/ Homemade mini pizzas:
These homemade mini pizzas are made with a leftover sourdough-bread crust, making them the perfect quick and easy dinner recipe.
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21/ Stuffed cheesy chicken Ciabatta:
Got leftover ciabatta? Make the most amazing 15 minute meal out of it: cheesy chicken stuffed chiabatta. It’s so easy and delicious, a favorite with kids and adults alike.
