22 Clever Ways to Use Stale Bread, From Croutons to Breakfast Casserole

Stale bread is a culinary opportunity, not trash. Here are 22 clever ways to give it a delicious second life, categorized for ease.

Savory & Crunchy

1. Classic Croutons: The ultimate use. Toss cubed stale bread with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and herbs. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 mins until golden.

2. Breadcrumbs: Pulse dried-out bread in a food processor. Toast in a pan with a little oil or butter for golden breadcrumbs, or leave them dry for recipes.

3. Panzanella: This classic Italian bread salad combines cubed stale bread with ripe tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, basil, and a tangy vinaigrette.

4. Bread Thickener for Soups & Stews: Toss a piece of stale bread into simmering soups like ribollita or gazpacho. It will dissolve and thicken the broth beautifully.

5. Stuffing/Dressing: Stale bread is the essential base for any good stuffing. Its dryness soaks up the stock and flavors without becoming mushy.

6. Bread “Crouton” Soup Topper: Roughly crush croutons or large breadcrumbs over creamy soups like potato or broccoli for a fantastic texture contrast.

7. Garlic Bread or Toast Points: Stale bread toasts up better than fresh! Brush with garlic butter and bake for perfect garlic bread or slice into strips for toast points with dip.

8. Bread “Noodles” (Passatelli): Mix fine breadcrumbs with egg, Parmesan, and nutmeg. Force through a ricer or grater into simmering broth for a comforting pasta alternative.

9. Crunchy Casserole Topping: Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and herbs for a crunchy topping on mac & cheese, baked pasta, or gratins.

10. Bread Thickener for Meatballs & Meatloaf: Use fresh breadcrumbs (soaked in milk) or dry breadcrumbs as a binder to keep ground meat mixtures tender.

Sweet & Indulgent

11. Bread Pudding: The king of stale bread desserts. Soak cubes in a custard of milk, eggs, sugar, and spices, then bake until puffed and golden.

12. French Toast Casserole: Layer cubed stale bread in a dish, pour a rich egg custard over it, and let it soak overnight. Bake in the morning for an easy crowd-pleaser.

13. Apple Charlotte: A classic dessert where a mold is lined with buttered bread, filled with spiced stewed apples, and baked until golden.

14. Summer Pudding: A stunning no-bake dessert where stale bread lines a bowl and soaks up the vibrant juices from cooked summer berries.

15. Pain Perdu (“Lost Bread”): The original French toast. Stale, sturdy bread soaks up the egg-milk custard deeply without falling apart.

16. Sweet Crumble Topping: Pulse stale bread with sugar, butter, and spices for a unique and delicious topping for fruit crisps.

17. Chocolate Bread Pudding: Add cocoa powder or melted chocolate to your bread pudding custard for a decadent dessert.

18. Bread Ice Cream (Pancreato): An Italian invention where toasted breadcrumbs are folded into a sweet custard base before churning, creating a uniquely nutty flavor.

Pantry Staples & Basics

19. Breadcrumbs for Breading: Use dry or fresh breadcrumbs to create a crispy crust for chicken cutlets, fish sticks, or fried zucchini.

20. Thickener for Sauces: A small piece of bread can be whisked into a pan sauce at the end to add body and silky texture (a trick called panade).

21. Bread Crumbs for “Fridge Cleanout” Fritters: Mix breadcrumbs with leftover veggies, cheese, and an egg to form patties. Pan-fry for quick, delicious fritters.

22. DIY Bread Crumbs for Freezer: Don’t need them now? Process the bread into crumbs, spread on a baking sheet to dry completely, and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Pro Tip: If your bread is rock-hard, you can briefly run it under water and place it in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-10 minutes to revive it slightly before using it for things like garlic bread.