What to Do with Stale Bread: 8 Delicious Ideas

Before refrigeration, every cuisine in the world had recipes for stale bread because throwing food away was unthinkable. French toast, Italian panzanella, Spanish gazpacho, and Middle Eastern fattoush all started as ways to use bread that had gone hard. Here are 8 ways to give stale bread a delicious second life.

1. Homemade Breadcrumbs

The simplest and most useful transformation. You will never buy store-bought breadcrumbs again.

Method: Tear stale bread into chunks and pulse in a food processor until you reach the desired texture. For fine breadcrumbs, spread on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes until completely dry, then pulse again.

Storage: Dried breadcrumbs last 6 months in an airtight container in the pantry or up to a year in the freezer.

Seasoned variation: Mix dried breadcrumbs with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and grated Parmesan for an all-purpose coating for chicken, fish, or vegetables.

2. Croutons

Stale bread makes better croutons than fresh bread because it is already partially dried out.

1. Cut bread into 3/4-inch cubes
2. Toss with olive oil (about 2 tablespoons per 3 cups of cubes), salt, garlic powder, and dried herbs
3. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer
4. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden and crunchy

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

3. French Toast (Pain Perdu)

French toast was literally invented for stale bread. The French name "pain perdu" means "lost bread." Stale bread actually works better than fresh because it absorbs the egg mixture without falling apart.

Custard mixture (for 4 slices):

• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Soak each slice for 20-30 seconds per side (longer if the bread is very dry), then cook on a buttered pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side.

4. Bread Pudding

A classic dessert that transforms dry bread into something custardy and indulgent.

1. Tear 6 cups of stale bread into bite-sized pieces and place in a buttered 9x13 baking dish
2. Whisk together 4 eggs, 2 cups milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon
3. Pour custard over the bread and press down to ensure all pieces are soaked
4. Let sit for 30 minutes (or refrigerate overnight)
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-55 minutes until set and golden on top

Add-ins: chocolate chips, raisins, sliced bananas, fresh berries, or a whiskey caramel sauce.

5. Panzanella (Tuscan Bread Salad)

This Italian summer salad was created specifically for using up stale bread.

• Tear stale bread into rough chunks, drizzle with olive oil, and toast in the oven at 400°F for 8-10 minutes
• Combine with chopped ripe tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and fresh basil
• Dress with a simple vinaigrette: 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and pepper
• Let the salad sit for 15-20 minutes before serving so the bread absorbs the tomato juices and dressing

6. Ribollita (Tuscan Bean and Bread Soup)

Another Italian classic designed for day-old bread. This thick, hearty soup uses stale bread as a thickener:

• Saute onion, celery, carrots, and garlic in olive oil
• Add canned tomatoes, white beans, kale or cavolo nero, and vegetable broth
• Simmer for 30 minutes, then stir in torn stale bread
• Cook for another 15 minutes until the bread dissolves and thickens the soup
• Drizzle generously with good olive oil before serving

7. Stuffing / Dressing

You do not need to wait for Thanksgiving. Homemade stuffing is a perfect side dish any time.

1. Cube stale bread and dry completely (air-dry for a day or bake at 250°F for 30 minutes)
2. Saute diced onion, celery, and fresh herbs (sage, thyme, rosemary) in butter
3. Combine the bread, sauteed vegetables, and enough chicken broth to moisten (about 1-1.5 cups per 6 cups of bread)
4. Bake in a buttered dish at 375°F for 35-40 minutes until golden on top

Add sausage, dried cranberries, chopped apples, or pecans for variations.

8. Breadcrumb-Topped Casseroles

Stale bread pulsed into coarse crumbs makes an incredible crunchy topping for casseroles and baked dishes:

• Mac and cheese: Top with breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter and bake until golden
• Gratins: Sprinkle herbed breadcrumbs over vegetable gratins for crunch
• Baked pasta: Add a breadcrumb and Parmesan layer before baking
• Roasted vegetables: Top with garlic breadcrumbs for the last 5 minutes of roasting

How Long Is Stale Bread Still Usable?

Related: How to Store Bread Without It Going Stale or Moldy

Related: What to Cook with Ingredients You Already Have

If your bread is going stale faster than you can use it, Clove AI can track what is in your kitchen and suggest recipes to use things up before they go to waste.