19 Things Bread Can Be Used For
When you think of bread, do you think of basic recipes? Sandwiches and subs might come to your mind. However, there are many other uses for bread that result in delightful dishes. From soups to desserts and a multitude of scrumptious things in between, bread is not only a staple food but a very versatile ingredient.
If you are sick of using bread in ordinary ways or are not sure of what to make with leftover bread, take a look at this list for inspiration. These easy leftover bread recipes are here to help!
Finding novel and delicious uses for bread helps to reduce food waste, which is a serious global concern. In the United States, 30 to 40% of food goes to waste, which means a staggering 133 billion pounds of food gets tossed out each year. You can find lots of creative ways to use the bread in your pantry, rather than contributing to massive global food waste.
Breakfast
You might consider breakfast to be the most important meal of the day. Breakfast restores your energy and boosts your alertness. Eating breakfast every day can improve your concentration, help you manage your weight and reduce your long-term risk of diabetes and heart disease. Each morning, you can create a delicious and nourishing breakfast with bread. Instead of making regular toast, upgrade your morning meal with these fantastic recipes using sliced white bread.
Creamy Strawberry French Toast Bake
Strawberries, cream and french toast make an unbeatable combination. This recipe is simple to make and is sure to please everyone around the breakfast table. Toss strawberries with sugar and set them aside. In another bowl, combine softened cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar and grated orange zest.
Line the bottom of a greased baking dish with slices of cinnamon bread and spoon the cream cheese mixture on top. Layer the strawberry mixture on top and another layer of cinnamon bread after. Whisk eggs and half-and-half cream. Add this mixture as the final layer. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Uncover and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes or until you insert a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean. Allow the dish to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. Top with whipped cream and additional strawberries if desired.
Raisin Bread and Sausage Morning Casserole
This is such an easy thing to make with leftover bread. Sweet and savory make the perfect blend for a tasty breakfast and that is what you will get with this dish. In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until browned and crumble and drain. Combine cinnamon-raisin bread cubes and sausage in a greased baking dish and set aside.
Whisk eggs, milk, half-and-half cream, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl and pour over the bread and sausage. Cover and allow to cool in the refrigerator for at least several hours or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine chopped pecans, brown sugar, softened butter and maple syrup in a small bowl until well-mixed. Use a tablespoon to dollop the mixture across the casserole. Bake in the oven for about 35-45 minutes or until golden brown and an inserted knife comes out clean from the center. Allow the casserole to stand for at least 5-10 minutes before serving.
Avocado Egg-In-A-Hole
If you need a quick and healthy breakfast, put that leftover bread to the test. Use a cookie cutter to cut a hole out of the center of some slices of bread. Lightly grease a skillet and place the bread down. Carefully drop an egg in the center of the open hole and allow it to cook on low-medium heat until the egg is to your liking. Remove from the pan and spread fresh avocado on the surrounding toast. Drizzle a bit of hot sauce on top for some kick.
Eating avocado in the morning can help you stay healthy. Avocados can help you maintain low cholesterol, according to a recent controlled study. The delicious fruit offers vitamins C, E, K and B6, along with omega-3 fatty acids. Their contents make them nice and filling, so they’re a great way to start your day off right.
Soups and Salad
Bread is often served in addition to soups and salads, but did you know that they can be made with bread as well? Take a look at these innovative recipes for yummy soups and salads.
Gazpacho
Looking for recipes with bread slices? If you have leftover bread slices, put them to good use by making a summer soup. Add them into a blender with tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onion and garlic. Top it off with just a splash of red wine and then add a generous amount of olive oil. Blend together for a smooth and delicious soup that you can eat alone or with a sandwich!
Grilled Panzanella
If you are wondering what you can do with leftover loaf bread, this salad can provide the perfect solution. Whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper. Grill or broil chunks of bread over high heat to lightly toast. A light char on the edges is okay. Just make sure they do not completely burn. It should only take about 2 minutes.
Combine bread and tomatoes in a bowl and toss with the olive oil mixture. Allow it to stand for approximately 10 minutes so the bread absorbs the tomato juice and dressing. Dollop spoonfuls of mascarpone and toss gently throughout the salad. Toss again with fresh basil leaves for extra flavor, and serve.
Lunch
Why limit yourself to using bread for average sandwiches when there are so many other easy recipes that use bread? Try one of these flavorful lunch options instead.
Pizza
You can use various kinds of bread to make so many delicious kinds of pizza. Consider using an entire loaf of french bread, pita or even English muffins. Spread with tomato sauce and add your favorite cheese and toppings. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown. This is perfect for making personal pizzas!
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
If you love hot wings and you love meatballs, this recipe with bread slices is meant for you! Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set it aside. Soak sandwich slices (with the crust cut off) in milk. In a separate bowl, mix ground chicken with parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, egg and the bread soaked in milk.
Roll tablespoon amounts of meat into balls and place them on the baking sheet. Bake them for approximately 6 minutes. While the meatballs cook, heat olive oil on medium-low heat and add onions, garlic and onions. Saute these ingredients until the onions are translucent. Move to a bowl and add green chiles, chili powder, hot sauce, paprika, cayenne pepper and honey. Then whisk together until well blended and smooth.
Add meatballs to a slow cooker, covering the bottom and pour over half the sauce. Add the rest of the meatballs and the rest of the sauce. Cook on low, covered, for 2-4 hours or until the meatballs are cooked the whole way through. Serve with a side of celery sticks and some blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Bake
There may be no more comforting lunch than grilled cheese and tomato soup. Use your leftover bread slices for this recipe with a twist on a classic. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine cream cheese and basil in a small bowl until thoroughly blended and spread onto an even number of bread slices. Layer with mozzarella cheese and top with the same number of slices to make a set of sandwiches. Spread the outside of each with butter and place in a greased baking dish.
Cook tomato paste, garlic, salt, pepper and basil in a small saucepan over medium heat for approximately 1 minute. Whisk in milk and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring often. When thickened, remove from heat and set aside.
Whisk eggs in a large bowl and then whisk in only a third of the milk mixture. Continue to add the remaining mixture and pour it over the sandwiches as evenly as possible. Top with an Italian cheese blend.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Allow it to stand for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Appetizers
When you do not know what to do with leftover bread, appetizers always make a great option. Quick, easy and delicious, these recipes are sure to please.
Caprese Bruschetta
You can’t make bruschetta without bread, making this an ideal recipe for leftover bread. The name may sound fancy, but the process couldn’t be easier! Pour balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan, and bring it to a low boil on low to medium heat. Then, let simmer for approximately 8-10 minutes. After the amount of vinegar has been reduced by half, remove it from heat and pour it into a separate bowl for cooling. The result will be a delicious glaze.
Chop fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, and mix for a good blend. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Toast slices of bread covered with olive oil on a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil and bake until golden brown. This could take between 8-10 minutes.
Top the toasted bread with a mixture of mozzarella, tomatoes and basil. Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar glaze and enjoy!
Aged Cheddar and Pilsner Fondue
Take bread-dipping to the next level with this incredible fondue recipe. Blend shredded cheddar, corn starch, chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper and mustard powder in a bowl, and set aside.
Melt butter in a frying pan and saute fresh garlic and shallots, being cautious to not burn them. Add some pilsner and Worcestershire sauce and bring to a simmer before mixing in the cheese mixture a little at a time. Be sure to blend well until it is completely melted.
Pour the dip into a fondue pot, and light the pot. Use leftover bread for dipping in addition to fruits, vegetables and meats.
Dinner
You may not think bread could do much for delivering exceptional dinner ideas, but there are so many flavorful recipes to explore. Check out some of these tasty dinner dishes and give one a try.
Stuffed Porkchops
Delicious pork chops filled with stuffing made from scratch. What’s not to love? Coat a large skillet with cooking spray. Add a teaspoon of olive oil, and saute it with celery and onion. Remove from heat and set aside. Combine bread cubes, fresh parsley, sage, white pepper, marjoram and thyme in a bowl. Add the sauteed celery and onions as well as chicken broth and toss until well-coated.
Slice horizontal pockets into thick-cut pork chops. Using the same skillet that cooked the celery and onions, cook the pork chops in about 2 teaspoons of oil over medium-high heat. After they are browned (1-2 minutes on each side), remove and fill with the stuffing mixture.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the stuffed chops in a greased baking dish, and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Bake for 15 minutes covered, and then bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes. Let stand for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Stuffed Zucchini
This recipe is a top choice for learning how to make breadcrumbs from leftover bread and turning it into something phenomenal for dinner time. Slice zucchini in half lengthwise, and hollow out the centers with a spoon or scooper to make boats. Keep the scooped zucchini flesh aside, and place the boats in a baking dish. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Brown crumbled Italian sausage, red onions and red bell papers in a skillet. Add fresh garlic, tomato paste and the zucchini flesh, and blend well. Remove from heat.
Mix leftover bread cubes and parmesan cheese and fresh basil in a food processor to prepare the breadcrumb topping. Combine half of the breadcrumb mix into the sausage mix, and mound this mix into the zucchini boats. Top with the remaining bread crumbs and bake for 13-15 minutes.
Garlic Bread Pasta Torte
This recipe delivers such a delicious pasta dish complete with crunchy garlic bread that everyone will love. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook your choice of pasta until the desired tenderness and drain. Return to the pot and set aside.
Cook sausage, mushrooms, green pepper,s and onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the sausage is no longer pink. Break the sausage into crumbles and drain the grease. Then, add marinara sauce, basil and Italian seasoning. Mix in with the pasta and stir in shredded mozzarella cheese.
Melt butter in a microwave and add some garlic. Brush one side of sliced pieces of bread with the mixture. Grease a springform pan and line the bottom and the sides with bread slices with the buttered sides against the pan. Fill the center with the pasta, and firmly pack it down. Layer the top with more mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve with additional marinara sauce.
Dessert
Dessert might be your favorite part of eating a meal, and bread can make any dessert so much better. Try one of these delightful dessert recipes to find a new favorite to look forward to.
Glazed Donut Bread Pudding
Sometimes you just have stale donuts in the kitchen that you wish had not gone to waste. The good news is with this recipe, they don’t have to! Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a baking dish and set it aside. Cut doughnuts into chunks, and place them in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, salt and cinnamon together. Then add heavy cream, milk, and vanilla. Pour the mixture over the doughnut chunks and allow them to soak for a few minutes, making sure they are well-coated.
Move the doughnuts into the baking dish, and set it inside a larger pan with sides. Place the pans into the oven and carefully pour water into the larger, outer dish to create a water bath. Bake the pudding until it has a nice, crusty top. This could take about 35 minutes or so. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a couple of minutes. Dust the top with confectioners sugar for a finishing touch, and serve while it is still warm.
Apple Pie Bread Pudding
Scrumptious apple pie meets yummy bread pudding with this easy leftover bread recipe. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice bread into cubes, and set them aside. In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon, stirring until smooth. Add the bread cubes and mix well, ensuring that all pieces of bread are well-coated. Spread the bread mixture evenly into a round baking pan.
Combine apples, brown sugar and cornstarch in a large bowl until the apples are evenly coated. Disburse the apples evenly across the top of the bread mixture and bake for 40 minutes or until the edges are browned.
Remove from the oven and allow to stand for a couple of minutes before slicing. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra decadent dessert.
As far as desserts go, ones with apples have greater health benefits than most others. You’ve likely heard the expression, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” — the old adage rings with truth. Apples are a good source of fiber and healthy fatty acids. They can help protect your body against heart disease, diabetes and even cancer, while promoting weight management.
Individual S’mores Bread Pudding
If you prefer your dessert to be a little richer and chocolatey, you’ve found the right recipe! This adds a more sophisticated flair to an old campfire favorite. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut break into cubes, place in a large mixing bowl, and set aside. Whisk together milk, egg and cocoa powder in a separate bowl. Pour over the bread chunks and add chocolate chips and marshmallows. Combine well to ensure all bread cubes are well-coated in the liquid mixture.
Grease the bottom and sides of ramekins and coat graham cracker crumbs to the bottoms and sides. Distribute the s’more mixture evenly among the ramekins and top with extra marshmallows and chocolate chips. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and slide them into the oven. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Allow cooling for at least 10-15 minutes before eating as the inside contents will be very hot.
Useful Ingredients
You can use bread to make homemade components that may be called for by some recipes. They are simple to make and will help reduce the waste of leftover bread. The best part is that they are quite versatile, so you can use them in a variety of recipes.
Breadcrumbs
Homemade breadcrumbs add an extra layer of comfort to almost any meal. They are also cheaper to make at home rather than buying at the store which is a bonus. To create your own using leftover bread, you will need to break leftover bread loaf into chunks and place it in a food processor. Continue pulsing until the chunks turn into large crumbs.
Add in some olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper (although you could add any herbs and spices you prefer). Pulse until blended.
Croutons
Fresh croutons make a fantastic addition to any soup or salad which is why making them at home is a great option for using up leftover bread. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut bread into cubes and toss them with fresh garlic, your favorite seasonings and extra-virgin olive oil. Mix evenly and thoroughly.
Spread the bread cubes across a greased baking sheet in a single layer and bake them for up to 40 minutes. Be sure to stir them every ten minutes to allow them to dry evenly for a perfectly crispy crunch.
Add them to soups and salads for some extra crunch and flavor.
Crostini
Also known as tiny little pieces of toast, crostinis make the perfect upgrade from crackers. Using small slices of bread that are carefully toasted in a skillet with olive oil, baked, or broiled, they can be used with a variety of dips. Some favorites that crostini are typically paired with include spinach artichoke dip and crab dip. They also go well with pasta dishes and soups because they soak up delicious sauces and broths without getting too soggy.
Get Fresh Bread Products From Gold Medal Bakery
Bread is one of the most versatile foods you can find. You can repurpose bread for every meal of the day, creating delicious and nutrient-rich dishes. Whether you use bread slices, muffins, bagels, rolls or crumbs, you’ll always find a use for bread in the kitchen. Your creations will be even tastier when you use the high-quality fresh bread from Gold Medal Bakery. We’ve been delivering delicious baked goods for over 100 years. Learn more about Gold Medal Bakery — contact us today.
