Recipe Roundup

19 Ways to Use Up Stale Bread

Whether it's just the heel, a few slices, or a whole loaf, you can give that leftover bread a new lease on life.
Spring greens gratin in a black castiron skillet.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Simon Andrews

We’ve all been there. One day you buy (or bake) a fresh loaf of bread. Just a few days later, eager to whip up a quick sandwich, you reach for it, only to discover a transformed loaf—a stale, hardened shell of its former self. Do you toss it back on the counter, choosing denial for now? Or dump the old bread in your compost bin, preparing yourself for the thud of guilt when it hits the pail’s bottom? We say: none of the above. While you can revive some bread with this clever trick (and probably improve your bread storage situation overall), there are also lots of delicious ways to salvage a stale loaf in an altogether different form. Below you'll find 19 ways to give new life to old bread.

  • A thin chicken cutlet that's been panfried topped with a cucumberradish salad.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova
    5/19

    Chicken Paillards With Schmaltz Bread Salad

    If skinless, boneless chicken breasts sound ho-hum, don’t despair—just pair those breasts with croutons crisped in chicken schmaltz, and add crunchy cucumbers and radishes.

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  • A plate of zucchini ribbons with cannellini homemade croutons Parmesan lemon zest and black pepper with a glass of white...
    Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Kim
    6/19

    Zucchini and White Bean Caesar

    Zucchini ribbons, crusty croutons, and buttery white beans make this next-level Caesar salad main-dish worthy.

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  • Spring greens gratin in a black castiron skillet.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Simon Andrews
    7/19

    Spring Greens and Leek Gratin

    Loaded with leeks, ramps, arugula, spinach, Parmesan, and crunchy, crusty bread, this gratin gives spring greens their time to shine.

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  • Image may contain Dish Food Meal Salad Lunch Plant Platter Vegetable and Cauliflower
    Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott
    8/19

    Radicchio, Fennel, and Olive Panzanella

    Panzanella is a classic way to use up bread, and this version is packed with flavor from radicchio, fennel, salami, parsley, olives, olive oil, and cheese.

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  • Image may contain Food Dish Meal Plant Platter and Bowl
    Jonathan Lovekin
    11/19

    Na'ama's Fattoush

    Featuring stale flatbread (which, let’s face it, only takes a day), this fattoush is both fresh and comforting. Crunchy cucumbers, sweet tomatoes, peppery radishes, loads of fresh herbs, and Greek yogurt fill out the meal.

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  • Image may contain Plant Food Seasoning Salad Produce and Vegetable
    Photo by Ed Anderson
    12/19

    Sam's Spring Fattoush Salad

    This spring fattoush skips the tomatoes and focuses on fragrant dill, tangy feta, teeny cucumbers, and crunchy radishes. Crunchy baked lavash croutons really make the dish.

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Julia Price Baron has been a creative director, writer, producer, and occasional filmmaker for over 15 years. She’s collaborated on projects for Food Network/Discovery+, CNN, Etsy, Universal, Spotify, Audible, Netflix, Nickelodeon, IFC, and Elle Decor among others. While she’s a one-pot kind of cook, she’s a passionate all-the-pots kind of ... Read More
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