Seven Ways to Use Leftover Bread

leftover half loaf of breadYou can try and avoid having stale bread in the house. My mother would keep half a loaf out at a time, and freeze the half loaf of bread after slicing. Then you could take out a slice or two at a time.

Still, even with the best planning bread gets stale. A lot of these work when we have failed breadmaking experiences.  Below are seven ways to salvage leftover bread.

  1. Croutons. Cut the bread into cubes, spray or spread a little oil and shake on dried herbs. Bake until crisp, 3-5 minutes.
  2. Bread crumbs. Use the food processor or crumble with your fingers. Add spices, seeds, parsley or other dried or fresh herbs. The crumbs can be used to coat fish, meat, or vegetables for frying or baking, or to thicken casseroles. Keep it in the freezer.
  3. Bread pudding.
  4. Bread crust pie. My mother used to make a pie crust out of leftover challah, but any silced bread will do. Place the slices on a pie plate. Mix milk or juice with sugar and a beaten egg, then poured it over the
  5. Grilled cheese.
  6. Microwave. My son finds that stale bread revives when you spread a layer of tomato paste and hard cheese, and put it in the microwave for half a minute or so.
  7. French toast. Bake instead of frying for healthier results.

Did I miss any? What’s your favorite way of using up leftover bread, aside from feeding the birds?

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Photo credit: photo farmer