The first aroma that hits your senses when you walk into a bakery is the irresistible smell of freshly baked bread. As your eyes fixate on the loaves of sourdough on display, the crusty exterior, and the fluffy interior, it’s hard to resist bringing home a loaf, or maybe two. But what happens when you have a substantial portion of leftover sourdough bread? Well, don’t let it go to waste! There are countless creative ways to use leftover sourdough bread.
What Can I Use Leftover Sourdough Bread For?
An entire loaf of sourdough bread can seem daunting, especially if you’re only one or two people. The good thing is, leftover sourdough bread is highly versatile. It can be transformed into homemade croutons, breadcrumbs, bread pudding, or even French toast! Remember, stale bread isn’t the enemy, it’s just an opportunity waiting to be explored.
Great Uses for Stale Sourdough Bread
Homemade Sourdough Croutons
One of my favorite ways to use old stale sourdough bread is to make homemade sourdough croutons. All you need to do is cut your bread into small pieces, and toss them in a large bowl with a little olive oil, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Spread the pieces of bread on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown. Store in an airtight container for later use. These little bites of deliciousness are the perfect way to add crunch to salads or soups.
Sourdough Breadcrumbs
Another great way to repurpose stale bread is to make sourdough breadcrumbs. Cut the bread into slices and let them dry out. Then, pulse the dry bread in a food processor until it becomes crumbs. Store your sourdough breadcrumbs in a freezer bag for easy use later. This is the best way to have homemade breadcrumbs on hand without having to rush to the grocery store every time a recipe calls for them.
Sourdough Bread Pudding
Perhaps the most delicious way to use up your old bread is by making a sourdough bread pudding. In a large mixing bowl, combine pieces of bread with an egg mixture, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and a few chocolate chips. Transfer this mixture to a baking dish and bake until the top is golden brown. This is easily one of the best things you can make with leftover bread.
French Toast
If you’re a fan of breakfast foods, turn your leftover sourdough bread into a french toast. This easy way to repurpose your bread requires dipping slices of bread into an egg mixture and frying them in a pan until both sides are golden brown. For best results, serve your French toast with a little bit of maple syrup or peanut butter.
Flat Sourdough Bread Solutions
A loaf of bread that didn’t quite rise as expected can be a disappointment, but it’s not a lost cause. Flat sourdough bread can be used much the same as any other bread. Here, you can make cheese sandwiches or sourdough pretzels. Plus, it’s a good idea to refer to this post for tips to avoid this issue in the future.
Refreshing and Reheating Sourdough Bread
Stale bread can be freshened up quite easily. Sprinkle the bread with a little water and then heat it in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. If you’re looking to reheat an entire loaf, wrap it in aluminum foil before placing it in the oven.
Sourdough bread can also be reheated effectively. Simply wrap slices of bread in foil and bake them in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. The bread will regain its delicious freshness when done properly without becoming overly dry or tough. Check out this guide on how to properly freeze and reheat sourdough bread.
Creative Uses for Sourdough Discard
Sourdough discard recipes are aplenty and can help reduce food waste in the kitchen. Leftover sourdough starter or a portion can be used to make sourdough pancakes, pretzels, and even sourdough bread cubes for stuffing. For more on this, check out this insightful post about the uses of sourdough discard.
Storing Leftover Sourdough Bread
Storing leftover sourdough bread properly ensures it stays fresh for longer. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature. If you have an entire loaf left, it’s a good idea to slice it into pieces before storing, so you can take out what you need without disturbing the rest of the loaf. Never store bread in the refrigerator as it speeds up the staling process.
Conclusion
Leftover sourdough bread is not just a bunch of stale pieces but a world of culinary possibilities waiting to be discovered. Whether it’s crispy homemade croutons or a warm, comforting bread pudding, there are so many different ways to transform your leftover bread into tasty meals. So the next time you find yourself with leftover sourdough bread, you’ll know exactly what to do.
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