What To Do With Stale Bread – 9 Awesome Ideas
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Are you wondering what to do with stale bread? Here are 9 awesome ideas that should help you use up bread that’s passed its best by turning it into new and delicious dishes.
Did you know that bread is one of the most wasted foods in the world? In the U.K alone as many as 25 million slices of bread are wasted daily. With food prices on the increase, families will be looking to make their food stretch as far as possible and limit how much ends up in the food waste.
1. Turn it into Breadcrumbs
One of the easiest things to do with stale bread is to turn it into breadcrumbs. Leave the bread out for an extra day or two once it’s started to go stale to make sure it’s extra crisp (you could also toast it in the oven if you want to make the breadcrumbs straight away).
Then simply break the bread up and blitz it in a food processor. If you don’t have a food processor you could also do this using a grater.
While you can make breadcrumbs using fresher bread, I find it can be trickier to get a really fine breadcrumb and often the crusts don’t break down very well.
Once you’ve made breadcrumbs there are loads of different things they can be used for, including making your own breaded chicken and fish, thickening soups and making sweet dishes such as treacle tart.
I also like flavouring breadcrumbs and then toasting them to make a topping for pasta.
Here is my Garlic and Herb Breadcrumb Recipe.
How Long Do Breadcrumbs Last Once Made?
Breadcrumbs will last for around six months once made as long they are kept in an airtight container and stored in a cool dry place.
There is no need to keep them in the fridge or freezer, just keep the breadcrumbs away from any moisture sources as this is what will make them go mouldy.
2. Make Bread & Butter Pudding
A classic Bread and Butter Pudding is the perfect way to use up bread that’s going a bit stale. And it’s not just sliced bread that can be used up here – you can make Bread and Butter Pudding with bread rolls, croissants, panettone or pretty much any bread you have lying around.
If, like me, you’re not a fan of the classic version of Bread and Butter pudding (personally I really don’t like dried fruit!) there are plenty of tasty variations, including ones that use chocolate spread for a chocolate version.
Here is my Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding Recipe which I made using stale bread rolls.
3. Try Summer Pudding
Summer pudding is one of my favourite dishes to make because it always looks so pretty, especially if you use individual moulds.
The stale bread soaks up the liquid from the fruit in this dish which makes it a perfect treat for using up stale bread. Keep it extra budget-friendly by using frozen mixed fruits instead of fresh and garnish with fresh mint if you have some.
Here is the BBC Food Recipe for Summer Pudding.
5. Use My Recipe For Melba Toast
Melba toast is super easy to make and is a great way to use up stale bread.
I like to make it Christmastime to serve with pate or cheese as part of a super cheap Christmas Dinner or Christmas Buffet menu, however, it can be enjoyed at any time of the year.
5. Croutons For Soups or Salads
Another easy way to use up stale bread is to make salad croutons.
There are a few ways you can do this, including deep-frying, baking in the oven and pan-frying.
I like to add some extra flavour to my croutons by adding seasonings but you can also leave them plain too.
Just breadcrumbs, they will last for ages in an airtight container once made.
If you find yourself with lots of leftover crusts you make croutons just using these or you could also try making them into Cinnamon French Toast Bites.
6. Splash with water and Heat
This is especially useful if you want to revive crusty bread, rolls or a baguette. Simply splash with a little water and pop in the oven for around 10 minutes. Once the steam has evaporated you should have an ‘almost’ freshly baked loaf.
7. Make More Exciting Toast
Toast is probably one of the more obvious things to do with bread that’s starting to go a little bit stale around the edges.
However, toast doesn’t have to be boring and there are plenty of recipes that are perfect for using up bread that’s passed its best.
Crostini – Once you’ve made a basic crostini there are loads of things it can be topped with! It makes a perfect appetizer or canape.
Bruschetta Recipe – Just like crostini, bruschetta can have a whole range of toppings and is a perfect easy lunch dish.
Welsh Rarebit – Have you tried Welshbit before?
Texas Toast – Stale loaf? Make Texas toast which is cut at double the thickness of normal bread.
8. Make Garlic Bread For The Freezer
Garlic bread is another top choice for bread that’s going a bit stale and hard. I like to make it in batches and then wrap it in cling film and freeze it.
The garlic bread can then be cooked from frozen making it a quick accompaniment to a weeknight pasta dish.
How To Make Garlic Bread For The Freezer
9. What To Do With Stale Bread: Panzanella
Panzanella is a recipe that specifically calls for hardened, stale bread to be used. The main ingredient, aside from the bread, is fresh, ripe tomatoes. The bread soaks up the juices and flavour of the tomatoes making a delicious and vibrant summer dish.
2 Things NOT To Do With Stale Bread
Finally, I thought I’d take a look at a couple of things not to do with stale bread.
While a trip to the park to feed the ducks might seem like a great idea, bread has very little nutritional value for birds and the high salt and sugar content isn’t a great addition to their diet. Ducks much prefer bird seed or frozen peas.
If you really must throw away stale bread, don’t put it in the black bin. Make sure it goes in the food waste bin so it at least has a chance to be recycled.
Don’t forget that the plastic bag your bread came in can probably be reused elsewhere in the kitchen, such as for wrapping food to go in the freezer.
Did you like these ideas for what to do with stale bread? Did I miss any good ideas? Let me know in the comments!
