Meatless Monday Challenge

12+ Stale Bread Recipes

on October 25, 2021
last updated October 19, 2023
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12+ Stale bread recipes to help you avoid food waste, including this decadent Bailey's French Toast that will completely change the way you see stale bread!
a close up of cubed slightly stale bread

Found yourself with some bread that’s gone stale? Have no fear! I have stale bread recipes for you that will make you glad you let your bread hang out too long.

From savory to sweet, these stale bread recipes give you endless options to turn that hardened bread into a delicacy, with simple ingredients and easy methods that won’t intimidate you in the least!

Green tip: Bread is one of the most wasted food products in the U.S. because of our tendency to throw it out as soon as it’s stale. Reduce your contribution to food waste by re-vamping your dry bread with some of these stale bread recipes!

As an environmental scientist, I’m always trying to keep the issue of food waste front of mind. These recipes are designed to bring new life into your stale bread. Not only do these recipes not require your bread to be fresh, they actually encourage you to use day-old!

Stale Bread Recipes


1. Easy Egg White French Toast

Easy Egg White French Toast Stacked on Two Plates
Who needs the yolks? The addition of cinnamon and brown sugar gives you perfect caramelization on this Egg White French Toast.
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2. Baileys French Toast with Baileys Chocolate Drizzle

stack of french toast with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and raspberries
This Baileys French toast is pillowy on the inside, toasty on the outside, and has the option to add Baileys chocolate drizzle for the ultimate boozy brunch.
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3. Savory French Toast Casserole with Chives

Piece of French Toast Casserole with Chives on a salad plate with a fork
This Savory French Toast Casserole is the most cheesy, buttery, and delicious solution to your stale bread problem!
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4. Crispy Captain Crunch French Toast

close up of stack of Captain Crunch French Toast
Your favorite crunchy, sweet treat cereal makes the perfect coating for buttery brioche in this crispy pan-fried Captain Crunch French Toast.
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5. Easy Sourdough French Toast

stack of french toast with butter on top and syrup being drizzled on
This Sourdough French Toast is a fun twist on a classic, with the subtle sourness adding a delicious contrast to the otherwise sweet treat.
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6. Epic Oreo French Toast

dripping cream cheese drizzle on a stack of french toast
This next-level Oreo French Toast is outrageously delicious with a soft center and crispy cookie outer crunch.
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7. Honey Matcha French Toast

Platter of slices of matcha french toast garnished with edible rose petals
This Matcha French Toast is fluffy on the inside and buttery and crispy on the outside, with a flavor punch of green tea and honey.
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8. Apple Cider French Toast with Sautéed Apples

Apple Cider French toast with cinnamon sugar apples on top.
Indulge in the perfect blend of autumn flavors with crispy Apple Cider French Toast topped with tender sautéed cinnamon sugar apples.
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9. Melt-In-Your-Mouth Vegan Bread Pudding

slice of vegan bread pudding on a plate with knife in front
This vegan bread pudding will absolutely melt in your mouth! Simple and so delicious, this dessert recipe is the perfect way to salvage your stale bread.
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10. Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

slice of bread pudding next to a glass of bourbon
This Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce transforms day-old bread into a sweet and moist, bourbon-forward dessert that absolutely melts in your mouth!
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11. Moist Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding close in a white baking dish
This easy, moist, and decadent Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding is the most delicious way to revamp your stale bread!
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12. Everything Bagel Stuffing

everything bagel stuffing in a casserole dish garnished with rosemary and thyme
This unique take on a Thanksgiving classic makes this Everything Bagel Stuffing a delicious enough side dish to eat all year round!
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13. Easy Vegan Sheet Pan Panzanella

platter of vegan panzanella
This vegan sheet pan Panzanella is the quickest, easiest, and most delicious way to breathe new life into your stale bread!
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14. Caprese Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze

Caprese Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze
This Caprese Bruschetta relies on simple, fresh ingredients that come together harmoniously to give you a perfectly balanced bite!
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15. Crisp Tuna Caesar Salad with Crunchy Croutons

Caesar Salad with canned tuna and homemade croutons
This Crisp Tuna Caesar Salad is brimming with flavor from the savory dressing and texture from the crispy croutons!
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I hope this list of Stale Bread Recipes encourages you to use up that stale bread rather than toss it! If you’re still not sure where to start, here is one of my most decadent recipes using day-old bread: Bailey’s French Toast.

stack of french toast with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and raspberries

12+ Stale Bread Recipes, Including Baileys French Toast

5 from 1 vote
Marley Goldin
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Stale bread recipes to help you avoid food waste, including this decadent Bailey's French Toast that will completely change the way you see stale bread.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

Baileys French Toast

  • 1 large egg
  • cup Baileys Irish Cream
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter for frying
  • 4 slices of stale bread, brioche or challah

Baileys Chocolate Drizzle (optional)

  • 1 tablespoon dark chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream

Optional Toppings

  • ¼ cup fresh berries
  • 2 tablespoons whipped cream
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Instructions
 

Baileys French Toast

  • Whisk together egg and Baileys in a shallow bowl until well combined.
  • Over medium heat, get a large frying pan hot. Add about 2 tablespoons of butter and allow it to melt, tilting the pan to coat it with melted butter.
  • One slice at a time, dip your bread into the egg and Baileys mixture, coating both sides fully.
  • Carefully lower your coated bread into the hot butter, allowing it to fry for about 2 minutes before flipping. Your french toast should be golden brown on both sides.
  • Repeat for all four slices of bread. Add more butter as needed—the pan should always be buttery to get your outer layer crispy.
  • Keep warm in the oven at 200°F until ready to serve.

Baileys Chocolate Drizzle (Optional)

  • Melt dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until fully melted.
  • Allow the melted chocolate to cool for 1-2 minutes before adding Baileys and whisking until combined.
  • Pour over warm Baileys French Toast and add whipped cream and fresh berries. Enjoy hot.

Pro Tips

  • Baileys Almande works great in this recipe as well!
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Keyword 30 Minutes or Less, Baileys, Chocolate, Stale Bread Recipes, Waste Reduction, Winter
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