What to do with stale bread? Have you ever asked yourself that question or did you just pitch the day-old loaf into the trash? Believe it or not leftover bread is a welcome addition to my pantry. There are so many creative ways to use different types of dry bread. Dry bread can be a key ingredient in the ultimate comfort food like savory casseroles, tomato soup and sweet bread and butter pudding. Stale bread is incredibly versatile. There are numerous delicious ways to repurpose it.
What to do with stale bread? Make breadcrumbs
- Breadcrumbs: A standard slice of leftover white bread will yield about ¼-1/3 cup of homemade breadcrumbs. Simply tear slices of bread into pieces and pulse in a food processor until you achieve your desired crumb size. If the bread is rock hard it can be grated on a box grater, too. That's how my dad did it. You can then toast them dry for extra crispness on a baking sheet in the oven or use one of my favorite ways to toast them to a golden brown in a skillet on the stove either in melted butter or olive oil adding seasonings like herbs, garlic powder, or Parmesan cheese. Use breadcrumbs to coat meats as in chicken parmesan, top casseroles as in macaroni and cheese, or bind meatballs and meatloaf.
Savory ways to use leftover bread.
- Croutons: Homemade croutons are so much better than the processed overly seasoned store bought version. Cut bread into cubes, toss with olive oil and your favorite seasonings, and bake until golden and crispy. They are perfect for adding to salads, soups, and stews.
- Stuffing/Dressing: Stale bread is ideal for stuffing. Its dryness allows it to absorb flavors and maintain its texture. Such a great idea and money saver. Combine it with vegetables, herbs, and broth for a delicious side dish.
- Panzanella: This Italian salad features chunks of dried out bread soaked in a flavorful dressing with tomatoes, cucumbers, and other fresh ingredients.
- Strata: A savory bread pudding that layers stale bread with eggs, cheese, vegetables, and meat.
- French Onion Soup: Toasted bread slices are often used to top french onion soup, and then covered in melted cheese. Bread is also used as a thickener in soups.
- Casseroles: Stale bread can be layered into many different types of casseroles, to add body to the dish.
Sweet Stale Bread Recipe Ideas
- Bread Pudding: A classic dessert that soaks stale bread in a sweet custard and bakes it until golden.
- French Toast (and French Toast Casserole): Stale bread soaks up the egg mixture beautifully, resulting in delicious French toast. French toast breakfast casserole is a great way to use stale bread, that can be made ahead of time.
- Apple Betty: A dessert similar to a crumble, that utilizes bread crumbs.
- My Grated Bread and Chocolate Cake. I am super proud of this award winning cake.
Tips for Success:
- Dryness is Key: The drier the bread, the better it will absorb flavors and maintain its texture in recipes.
- Storage: Once you've made breadcrumbs or croutons, store them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.
- Flavoring: Don't be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and herbs to enhance the flavor of your stale bread creations.
By using these methods, you can significantly reduce food waste and create delicious meals from leftover bread like this tomato avocado toast topped with Crispy Caesar Breadcrumbs.
What to do with stale bread. Crispy breadcrumbs.
What to do with stale bread? Make this Caesar inspired crispy breadcrumbs.
Equipment
- 1 skillet
Ingredients
- 2 slices 70 grams stale Italian bread, torn
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon olive oil
- 1 garlic clove grated
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste or more to taste
- ½-1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh green herbs
Instructions
- Pulse torn bread in the bowl of a food processor to desired breadcrumb size.
- Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Using a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, stir in the olive oil, garlic and anchovy paste. Cook mixture for 30-60 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add breadcrumbs, stirring well to coat. Continue stirring until golden brown and toasted, about 5 to 10 minutes. Season with salt.
- Transfer to a bowl to cool.
- Stir in lemon zest, cheese and herbs.
Notes
You can use any kind of bread to make breadcrumbs.
lisaKeys says
Smart cooking!