The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Old Bread

Eclarner's picture
Eclarner

Old Bread

What is your favorite thing to do with old/stale bread?  Looking for ways to use old homemade bread so that it doesn't go to waste.

daystar's picture
daystar

If I have a white sourdough I turn it into breadcrumbs,  mixed with parm cheese and crumbled bacon and keep it on hand in freezer for casserole toppings...it is much nicer to have quickly available than it sounds. When I have whole wheat or dried fruit/nut breads I like to make stuffing (KAF Sausage and Apple stuffing) or breakfast bread pudding where I use buttermilk instead of cream (KAF Pumpkin Bread Pudding, add toasted pecans on top!). I just chop up the bread ends etc and freeze and just add to it until I have enough for one of those recipes.

jimbtv's picture
jimbtv

Soak the stale stuff in water and use it in your next loaf of bread. Commercial outfits do this all the time.

Personally I make the occasional bread crumbs and croutons but most of my leftovers are enjoyed by the neighbor's pigs, goats and chickens. Then eventually I get to enjoy the pigs, goats and chickens ;-)

It's a win-win for everyone... well, sorta...

Arjon's picture
Arjon

bread pudding when I'm in the mood for something sweet and strata when I want savory

markgo's picture
markgo

With stale simple white bread, I convert them into breadcrumbs. 

With stale sourdough bread, I soak/soften them in water, get rid of the crust, squeeze out as much water as I can, then use the  crumb for meatballs and meat loafs. Learned this method from my Italian father-in-law.

Recycling is always good. :D

 

Lazy Loafer's picture
Lazy Loafer

When my bread is getting stale I soak it in eggs beat with a bit of milk, sugar, vanilla and nutmeg, and fry it in butter (French Toast), then serve it with good Canadian maple syrup. Mmmmmm....

T. Fargo's picture
T. Fargo

  As well as much of the other suggestions, I cube mine up, dry it in a 170°F oven and bag it up for stuffing.