I was using up some old bread today and it made me think about the different ways there are to use up old bread. Some weeks, we use up all the bread I buy or make. Other weeks, I have a loaf or 2 leftover. I guess I just depends on what we eat and make for lunches that week. I have 3 ways that I usually use up old bread, but I would be interested to hear about ways you have to use up stale bread!
- French Toast. This is what I am most likely to make with old sandwich bread. This is what I was making today. I whip up some eggs, milk, and cinnamon/nutmeg and cook it up on my griddle (seriously, if you don’t have one of these griddles, you NEED one! So wonderful for pancakes, french toast, tortillas… on and on! I use mine all the time!). If I have some pumpkin or old bananas, I add them into my milk and egg mixture. YUM! Then we’ll have it for dinner (we LOVE breakfast for dinner!). If we are not having it for dinner, (like today) I let the french toast cool and then place on a sheet pan (see above picture) and put them in the freezer. Once frozen, I transfer into a ziploc bag and put them back in the freezer to pop in the toaster for a quick breakfast. I am often toasting these for my boys on the way out the door to church on Sunday’s (we have early church this year!). They also like it as a before bed snack. If I have leftover french or artisan bread, I’ll make a french toast bake with cream cheese and jam in the middle! YUM!
- Bread Crumbs. Super easy to make your own bread crumbs and uses up your old bread. Simply put your bread on a cookie sheet and toast both sides in the oven. Let the slices cool and dry for several hours. Then simply place in food processor and blend until you have fine crumbs. Store in airtight container. Easy and simple!
- Croutons. I LOVE croutons. Cut your bread up into cubes. Toss the bread with some olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper (whatever flavors/herbs/spices you’d like! I have a friend that makes Cinnamon Sugar ones – YUM!) until each piece is well coated. Place on a cookie sheet in a single layer and bake in a 350 oven until golden brown and crusty, around 15-20 minutes.
No need to let bread go to waste! Quick breakfasts or coating for your chicken, there are many different ways to use up old bread. What is your favorite way to use up old bread?
