What to Do With Stale or Leftover Bread
Bread is one of the most thrown-away foods, and slightly stale bread is actually better than fresh for several recipes because it soaks up liquid without falling apart.
First: store it safely
- Store at room temperature in a bread box or a closed bag, away from heat. The fridge makes most bread go stale faster.
- Freeze what you won't eat in a few days. Slice first so you can toast it straight from frozen. Bread keeps good quality frozen for about 3 months.
- Stale is fine; moldy is not. If you see mold, throw the whole loaf away, because mold can spread through soft bread beyond what you can see.
For more detail, see the FoodSafety.gov cold storage chart.
1. French toast
Dry bread soaks up the egg and milk custard without going soggy: French Toast.
2. Bruschetta
Toast slices, rub with garlic, and top with chopped tomato and basil: Bruschetta.
3. Grilled cheese
Slightly dry bread crisps up well in butter: Caprese Grilled Cheese.
4. Pizza toast
Sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni on bread, baked until bubbly: Pizza Toast.
5. Mushroom toast
Thick toasted slices topped with creamy garlic mushrooms: Creamy Mushroom Toast.
6. Breadcrumbs
Blitz dry bread in a blender, or grate it, and freeze the crumbs in a bag. Use them for coatings like Air Fryer Zucchini Chips.
7. Croutons
Cube, toss with oil and salt, and bake at 375掳F for about 10 to 15 minutes until crisp. Add them to soup like Pantry Tomato Soup.
Crave recipes that use it
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Questions
Should I keep bread in the fridge?
Usually not. The fridge speeds up staling. Keep it at room temperature for a few days and freeze the rest.
Can I cut mold off bread?
No. USDA advises discarding moldy bread, since mold can grow below the surface of soft foods.
How do I refresh stale bread?
Sprinkle with a little water and warm in a 350掳F oven for a few minutes. Eat it soon after.