7 Comforting Ways To Use Your Leftover Challah

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Whether it’s a Jewish holiday or any other day of the year, challah bread is awesome. It’s eggy, soft and rich, and there’s really no bread that’ll do it justice as a substitute. Challah bread should never go to waste — it’s just too good. So the next time you’re left with a surplus of challah, here are seven comforting ways to use those leftovers.

1. Bread Pudding

If you’ve never had bread pudding, you’re missing out. The dish can be made hundreds of different ways, but you’ll usually find a combination of fruit, sugar, spices, eggs, milk and nuts. Challah is one of the best types of bread for the job. Here’s a challah bread pudding recipe with a Kahlua cream sauce, walnuts and raisins that you should make at least once or twice in your life. For something on the simple side, this bread pudding is about as minimalist as you can get.

2. French Toast

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These two words on a brunch menu are enough to get anyone excited. Challah French toast, right next to brioche French toast, is just about as indulgent as you can get. Thick slices of eggy challah bread make for a French toast that’s crispy and golden on the outside and pillowy on the inside. Here’s a recipe for challah French toast that’s made with orange zest and honey and topped with maple syrup and powdered sugar. To go the extra mile, you could always make stuffed French toast with fresh strawberry jam and blueberries. Brunch will forever be your game after you whip up one of these recipes for your friends or family.

3. Crostini

Instead of buying a new loaf of Italian bread or a baguette, cut your challah bread into smaller pieces and toast it to make crostini for your favorite bruschetta recipe. This challah with lemon ricotta and honey is all kinds of indulgent, but if you’d rather go the savory route, try topping your toasted challah with wild mushrooms and rosemary. Since challah is usually on the sweeter side compared to most other types of bread, you’ll double your options with challah crostini depending on whether you’re craving savory or sweet.

4. Panzanella Salad

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The classic Tuscan-style dish, Panzanella salad, is made with bread and tomatoes. It’s a popular summertime dish in Italian cuisine that’s traditionally made with stale bread, onions, basil, chopped tomatoes, olive oil and vinegar. This challah Panzanella salad is more on the sweet side with butternut squash, dates, red onion, cider vinegar, hazelnuts, lemon and ricotta. And here’s a little Panzanella inspiration to suit all of your cravings.

5. Sandwiches

Your extra challah bread can make for the best sandwich bread. You know when you’re in the mood for a hearty sandwich and regular sandwich bread just won’t cut it? Cut yourself some thick slices of challah bread, toast it and sandwich your favorite ingredients. It could be chicken parmesan, turkey and cheese or a breakfast sandwich. Challah will work for any sandwich you can dream up.

6. Breadcrumbs

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As long as you have a blender, you can make fresh breadcrumbs that’ll put the store-bought ones to shame. Toast your day-old challah in the toaster oven until it’s crispy, making sure not to burn it. Add the crispy challah to a blender with dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, oregano and freshly ground black pepper. Use your challah breadcrumbs on top of baked mac ‘n’ cheese, mashed potatoes, stuffed peppers, Caesar salad or anything else you desire.

7. French Toast Sticks

Challah French toast is amazing when you have the time to sit down and eat with a knife and fork, but it might be inconvenient on the go. French toast sticks are the best brunch food when you’re pressed for time. Try these challah French toast sticks with caramelized bananas (or leave out the bananas to avoid a mess). Wrap a few up and take them for the road.

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