5 ways to use leftover bread

How to use up leftover bread

A while back, I watched a documentary all about food waste. It showcased the crazy amounts of food that gets thrown away regularly from the grocery store and in our homes. It really got me thinking about how I deal with the food in my own cupboards and fridge. Vegetables become moldy; yogurt goes expired. We’ve all been guilty of it – letting perfectly good food go to waste! But one of the handy tips this doc mentioned was to make use of the freezer to preserve and lengthen the lifespan of eats that may otherwise end up in the garbage.

I’ve taken this idea to heart and freezing everything from spinach, to tomatoes, to bananas. And the one item I am freezing all the time now is bread! I find it impossible to eat an entire loaf of bread before it becomes stale or moldy so the freezer is now my best friend. There are so many things you can do with frozen bread and use up each and every slice.

Leftover bread idea: Toast

It’s the simplest use of bread, but probably one of the most common ways we all eat it. Toasting frozen bread doesn’t take much longer than fresh. I find that I prefer my bread to be slightly toasty and warm so it just makes sense to use frozen bread for toast and keep fresh bread for other dishes.

Leftover bread idea: Croutons

Making your own croutons is super easy and will taste way better than any premade package you buy. Cutting frozen bread slices into cubes is actually much easier than fresh bread. Just slice up a few pieces and bake in the oven as normal.

Leftover bread idea: Grilled cheese sandwiches

Why do people not like to eat the ends pieces on the loaf? These reject slices are my favourite way to make grilled cheese sandwiches. The end slices tend to be crustier and more “browned” which makes it perfect for grilling. I really love crunchy grilled cheesies so I find the end pieces are the best fit and makes sure you use up all parts of your loaf of bread.

Leftover bread idea: Breadcrumbs

Frozen bread comes in really handy to use a binding material for all sorts of recipes like meatloaf, meatballs, hamburger patties and more. Use a grater for smaller amounts or a food processor for larger quantities. Mix in to your cooking as needed. You can even break into smaller pieces before freezing to save for later too.

Leftover bread idea: Turkey stuffing

If you end up saving all your extra bread pieces like I do, you will eventually have more than a few loaves to deal with in your freezer. This is where the holidays come in super handy. Whether it’s Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, a good ‘ol turkey stuffing is perfect for getting rid of all that frozen bread.

How do you like to save food in your kitchen? Share your tips and tricks with me by commenting below or tweeting me at @heyseto.