35 Recipes Using Leftover Bread

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure for details.

Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS COLLECTION OF LEFTOVER BREAD RECIPES: Do you have bread that’s starting to go stale? Don’t throw it away! Whether it’s most of a loaf or just a few pieces, I’ll show you how to transform day-old bread into something amazing. If you’re looking for a savory bake, a sweet dessert or breakfast, or amazingly flavorful croutons or breadcrumbs, I’ve got you covered.

As a baker, I hate seeing good bread go to waste, and my recipes will give it a second life. I love coming up with new ways to use ingredients I have on hand, but bread leftovers recipes are more than budget-friendly: stale bread is exactly what you need to make the most velvety bread pudding, the crispiest croutons, custardy French toast, and the most savory breadcrumbs.

Here are 35 tempting recipes with leftover bread, for every time of day, with ideas for both everyday meals and holiday occasions. Whether you have a few slices of sandwich bread, the heel of a sourdough loaf, or leftover dinner rolls, here’s your inspiration to put it to delicious use.

Table of Contents

• Savory Ways to Use Leftover Bread
• Sweet Breakfast Recipes for Leftover Bread
• Bread Pudding Recipes
• Traditional Desserts Made with Breadcrumbs
• More Creative Ways to Use Leftover Bread
• Which Bread is Best for Each Recipe?
• Tips for Using Leftover Bread

Savory Ways to Use Leftover Bread

These recipes are best for turning bread into a savory meal, side dish, or crunchy topping.

Homemade Croutons

Turn leftover bread into crunchy, seasoned homemade croutons in about 45 minutes. They’re easy to customize with your favorite seasonings and make a delicious addition to salads, soups, or even enjoyed as a savory snack on their own.

Homemade Breadcrumbs

Don’t throw away those extra bread slices! Making homemade breadcrumbs is a simple way to reduce food waste and have a useful pantry staple on hand for coatings, casseroles, stuffing, traditional desserts, and more.

Sage Sausage Stuffing

Put bread cubes to work in this classic sage sausage stuffing. My hearty, flavorful side is a must-have for Thanksgiving, and using your favorite leftover bread makes it even better.

Cornbread Stuffing

Give leftover cornbread a delicious second life with this easy stuffing. Made with honey cornbread, savory herbs, and vegetables, it’s a comforting side dish that’s ideal for the holidays.

Croque Monsieur Savory Bread Pudding

Turn bread into a satisfying savory breakfast or brunch with this Croque Monsieur Bread Pudding. Inspired by the classic French sandwich, it layers bread with ham, cheese, and a rich cream-and-egg mixture for a cheesy, comforting bake.

Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole

This savory bake is a great way to use up cubed stale bread, turning it into a hearty breakfast with sausage, sharp cheddar, spinach, and eggs. Assemble it the night before or the morning you plan to serve it for an easy brunch.

Bacon and Cheese Strata

My savory strata—think of it as a bread pudding for breakfast—is packed with crispy bacon, tangy cheddar, green onion, and a rich egg custard. The slightly stale bread soaks up the custard beautifully, making this a delicious make-ahead breakfast.

Microwave Mug Savory French Toast

If you have a slice of leftover bread, an egg, and some milk, you can make this quick savory French toast in a mug! It’s an easy, single-serving breakfast that comes together in the microwave, with the option to mix it up the night before.

Sweet Breakfast Recipes Using Leftover Bread

Gemma’s Best French Toast

French toast is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to use up leftover bread! Dip thick slices in a sweet cinnamon-vanilla egg custard, then cook until golden on the outside and tender in the middle. Serve with maple syrup for an easy breakfast.

Brioche French Toast

Give leftover brioche a second life with a creamy center and crisp, buttery edges.  The soft, slightly sweet bread soaks up a vanilla-scented custard, creating beautifully rich French toast.

Sheet Pan French Toast

Prepare several slices of French toast at once on a baking sheet to make a special breakfast for a crowd. Soak thick slices of day-old brioche in a vanilla-cinnamon custard, then broil until golden and crisp on the outside, with a soft, custardy center.

Overnight French Toast

Put leftover brioche or challah to delicious use with this make-ahead Overnight French Toast. The bread soaks up a rich, cinnamon-spiced custard overnight, then bakes into a golden, puffed breakfast casserole topped with crunchy pecans.

French Toast Sticks

Turn stale challah or brioche into delicious dippers! Cut the bread into strips, soak them in a sweet cinnamon-vanilla custard, pan-fry until golden, and serve with maple syrup. They’re ready in less than 30 minutes and make a great breakfast or snack.

Banana Bread French Toast

With just a few slices of leftover banana bread, you can create a decadent breakfast. The slightly dry bread soaks up a vanilla-cinnamon custard before being cooked in a skillet until golden outside and soft and custardy inside.

Bread Pudding Recipes

Irish Bread and Butter Pudding

My traditional Irish pudding transforms slices of bread into a comforting dessert with a rich custard, warm spices, raisins, and a golden, buttery top. It’s a lovely way to use up leftover bread and enjoy a classic Irish treat.

Butter and Jam Bread Pudding

Turn leftover bread into a nostalgic dessert with my Butter and Jam Bread Pudding. Layers of buttered bread and sweet jam are baked in a creamy custard until golden, with crisp edges and a soft center. Simple, delicious, and comforting!

Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding

Give stale bread a glow-up! Rich chocolate and buttery bread come together in a creamy baked custard for a warm, indulgent dessert that’s perfect for chocolate lovers.

Blueberry Lemon Curd Bread Pudding

This sweet-tart pudding combines juicy blueberries and tangy lemon curd with soft bread baked in a rich custard. It’s a bright, fruity twist on traditional bread pudding and a delicious way to use up leftover bread.

Panettone Bread Pudding

Have leftover panettone after the holidays? Turn it into this delicious pudding! The buttery Italian sweet bread makes a flavorful base for a creamy custard, creating a festive dessert that’s especially lovely for Christmas brunch or dessert.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

My crowd-pleasing pudding is full of homey seasonal flavor, with pumpkin, warm spices, and custard baked into a comforting dessert. It makes a lovely addition to the holiday table.

Rum Raisin Bread and Butter Pudding

Give a classic dessert a grown-up twist with plump raisins and warm rum flavor. Baked in a creamy custard until golden, it’s a comforting way to transform leftover bread into something seasonal and special.

Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce

This classic bread pudding turns stale bread into a comforting yet sophisticated dessert featuring rich whiskey sauce. It’s a celebratory treat for the holiday season or any special occasion.

Donut Bread Pudding

Don’t let leftover donuts go to waste! This delightful pudding transforms them into an indulgent baked dessert, with the donuts soaking up a rich custard for a soft, sweet, unexpected treat.

Traditional Desserts Made with Breadcrumbs

Homemade breadcrumbs can do more than coat food or thicken a mixture. They’re an important ingredient in several traditional European and Irish desserts.

Traditional Irish Gur Cake

This Dublin favorite sweet, spiced treat sandwiches a spiced filling of breadcrumbs, raisins, tea, and syrup between layers of buttery pastry. It’s a clever traditional way to use up leftover bread.

Traditional Easy Treacle Tart

My classic tart has a buttery pastry crust filled with a sweet, lemony mixture of golden syrup and fresh breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs give the filling its signature soft, slightly chewy texture, making this an especially delicious way to use homemade breadcrumbs.

Queen of Puddings

A traditional English dessert that’s made with three delicious layers: a soft, custardy base made from fresh white breadcrumbs, sweet raspberry jam, and a crisp golden meringue topping. This old-fashioned pudding turns simple pantry ingredients and leftover bread into an impressive dessert.

Easy Last-Minute Christmas Pudding

My quick recipe is a festive take on a traditional Irish holiday dessert, made with fresh breadcrumbs, raisins, currants, candied citrus peel, apples, and warm spices. Unlike traditional Christmas pudding, which is often made months ahead, this version needs just an overnight rest before steaming.

Microwave Christmas Pudding

Want traditional Christmas pudding without hours of steaming? Using the microwave is a quicker way to make the classic holiday dessert, with a rich mixture of dried fruit, warm spices, and breadcrumbs. It’s a festive treat when you want all the Christmas pudding flavor with less time and effort.

Steamed Gingerbread Pudding

This aromatic pudding is a nostalgic dessert that’s made with warm gingerbread spices and has a soft, moist texture. Breadcrumbs help give the pudding its structure, while the rich ginger flavor makes it perfect for a holiday dessert or any winter day.

Steamed Carrot Cake Pudding

Breadcrumbs, carrots, raisins, and warm spices come together in a moist steamed dessert full of the homey flavors of classic carrot cake.

Traditional Christmas Pudding

My Mum’s Christmas pudding is a cherished family recipe, a traditional steamed pudding packed with dried fruit, warm spices, and breadcrumbs for its classic rich texture.

More Creative Ways to Use Leftover Bread

Brown Bread Ice Cream

Turn leftover Irish brown bread into an unexpectedly delicious frozen dessert! This delightful ice cream combines the rich, malty flavor of brown bread with creamy homemade ice cream for a unique Irish-inspired treat.

Easy Apple Strudel

This traditional apple strudel uses breadcrumbs to help absorb the juices from the apples, keeping the pastry crisp while adding texture to the filling. Wrapped in delicate, flaky pastry with cinnamon-spiced apples, it’s a classic dessert that’s well worth making at home.

3 Incredible Ways to Use Banana Bread

Give leftover banana bread a new purpose with creative serving ideas, including French toast and other desserts.

Sausage Roll Recipe

Complete your Irish spread with my Sausage Rolls, featuring a juicy, savory sausage filling with breadcrumbs wrapped in golden, flaky puff pastry!

Which Bread Is Best for Each Recipe?

Tips for Using Leftover Bread

• Check the bread first. Stale, dry bread is useful for these recipes, but discard bread with visible mold.

• Dry fresh bread if needed. Cut it into cubes or slices and leave it uncovered for a few hours, or dry it briefly in a low oven.

• Freeze it for later. Freeze leftover bread in slices or cubes so you can make croutons, breadcrumbs, stuffing, or French toast when you need them.

• Match the bread to the recipe. Crusty loaves are great for croutons and breadcrumbs, while soft or enriched breads are ideal for custardy desserts.

Get More Articles!

The Best 50 Holiday Desserts for Thanksgiving and Christmas

50 Traditional European Christmas Cookies

30+ Best Strawberry Dessert Recipes

45 Bright Lemon Desserts Recipes to Bake This Spring