Simple Uses for Leftover Bread

Ever wonder what to do with your leftover bread?

The heels that your kids won’t eat, or that loaf that is starting to dry out?

We have some easy, fun, frugal ideas for you!

Around here we hate to waste things.

We try really, really hard to reduce, reuse and recycle.

We used to feed the leftover bread to the birds or take it to the park, but when we discovered that is was not beneficial to the birds I began searching for other ways to consume it. That’s when I discovered a chicken recipe my family love and I had a brainstorm.

Leftover Heels & Extra Bread Products

Tip: You can accumulate the bread by slowly adding the odd pieces to one bread bag until you have enough to fill a baking tray.

(The above photo was used to create both the croutons and bread crumbs you will see in this post.)

To begin- gather all of your leftover end pieces and dry bread. This includes hot dog buns, hamburger buns and even bakery bread.

Two Simple Uses For Leftover Bread

First, we will turn it into “breadcrumbs.” They can be used in the following: meatloaf, dressing, meatballs, topping for side dishes, and our favorite coating for chicken, other meats and potatoes. They are a great budget friendly substitute for any recipe that calls for dried bread or crushed croutons.

Supplies you will need:

Bowl large enough to hold the crumbs
Mixing spoon
Sprayed non-stick baking tray
Desired seasonings (We like Parmesan, garlic and butter.)
Clearly labelled and dated plastic baggie or sealed container.

Tip: We store our finished products in an empty ice cream container now that we have accumulated a large supply.

I also try to label my containers or packages first- while my counter is still clean.

Pre-cooked Crumbs with seasonings

1.) Preheat oven to 250-350 degrees.

Crumble bread into tiny pieces in a bowl

Note: If you are unable to get them small, don’t worry, you can crumble them more after they are dry.

2.) Add seasonings if desired based on what you will use the crumbs for. Toss with a spoon. Add any melted butter last.

Tip: If I am adding them to meatloaf or meatballs I add the seasonings and then continue to mix them with the meat and other ingredients, then freeze for later.

If I am not sure what I will use them for, I simply add no seasoning but I remember label the package as unseasoned bread crumbs.

Simple Uses for Leftover Bread Spread Crumbled Bread On To Cookie Sheet

Spread Evenly on Cookie Sheet

3.) Spread breadcrumbs on baking tray. Bake for 5 minutes, stir, continue to bake until desired consistency. We prefer ours lightly browned.

Croutons and Crumbs Ready to Go

4.) Remove, allow to cool, store in airtight container.

I love the convenience of having the crumbing toppings ready to go. And at no additional cost to our budget.

Note: I often make these on baking or freezer cooking day when the oven is already warm.

CROUTONS:

Supplies needed:

Knife
Cutting Board
Labelled plastic baggie or container
Bread
Bowl & Mixing Spoon
Desired seasonings (Our family prefers parmesan, garlic and butter.)
Sprayed Non-Stick Baking tray

Handmade Croutons Step 1

Step 1.) Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place two pieces of bread on cutting board and cut into squares. (We keep these bite size for salads.) Continue until all bread is cut, adding to bowl as completed to keep cutting board clear.

Step 2. ) Mix desired seasonings. Tossing as you go add melted butter last.

Croutons Step 3 Spread evenly

Step 3.) Spread evenly cookie sheet. Cook for 7 minutes, then turn and cook for 7 more. (Times may vary based on thickness of bread and your oven.)

Step 4.) Remove. Let cool. Add to properly labeled container.

Croutons and Crumbs Ready to Go

You now have delicious budget friendly croutons for all your salad needs.

As always, we are happy to hear from you! If you are a blogger with additional budget friendly bread recipes please feel free to share links in our comments.

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Happy Cooking!

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Tags: Bread, Breadcrumbs, Budget friendly recipes, Croutons, Frugal food, Grocery Savings, Recycle, Reduce, Reducing, Reuse, Thirfty Cooking, Toppings

Food | Tina Miller | April 1, 2014 1:13 pm

Treasured Tidbits by Tina