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5 Ways to Use Up Your Leftover Hot Dog and Hamburger Buns

Don't let that bread languish on your kitchen counter.

Grilling season is upon us, and that means plenty of delicious food at picnics, potlucks and cookouts. I am partial to a grilled brat in the summertime, loaded up with spicy mustard and onions. But I do have a sweet spot for a classic cheeseburger, and sometimes I’ll just add a little ketchup and call it a day.

Regardless of your meat of choice, there is one kind of annoying aspect about grilling: the buns. Making sure you have enough buns to go around is crucial. I typically overbuy, and more often than not, I’m left with a bunch of buns after a backyard barbecue.

Sure, I’ll use a hamburger bun for a turkey sandwich, but I wanted to challenge myself to think more creatively about using up my leftovers. In that spirit, I’ve come up with a list of ways that you can use up your hamburger and hot dog buns this summer.

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Homemade Croutons Recipe photo by Taste of Home

1. Croutons

There is nothing more satisfying than homemade croutons. If you have never made them before, this is your sign to start! They come together extremely quickly and dry out nicely in the oven. You can chop the pieces as large or as small as you’d like, so it’s really customizable. They’re perfect on salads or in soups, but I also enjoy eating them by the handful.

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The Best French Toast Recipe photo by Taste of Home

2. French Toast

Ah, the classic leftover bread brunch favorite: French toast. This is a great way to use up any buns that you have. Once they’re loaded with syrup, berries and whipped cream, you’ll forget that they started out as humble buns. Bonus points if you’re using brioche buns, as they’ll make the sweet treat even sweeter.

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Best Ever Bread Pudding Recipe photo by Taste of Home

3. Bread Pudding

Did you know that bread pudding was Princess Diana’s favorite dessert? Well, now you do. I can’t think of a more fitting way to use up some leftovers than with a sweet—and heaping!—serving of bread pudding. It’s also a great way to use up other pantry staples you have around, like nuts or dried fruit.

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Summer Harvest Grilled Panzanella Salad
TASTE OF HOME

4. Panzanella

Panzanella is an Italian salad made of crusty pieces of bread tossed with veggies and a simple dressing. Try this summer harvest grilled panzanella or use up whatever vegetables you have on hand. It makes a great starter to any meal, or a great side dish for your next potluck.

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Seasoned Bread Crumbs Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home

5. Bread crumbs

If you thought that homemade croutons sounded delicious, then wait until you make your own bread crumbs. You have so much control over the size, texture and flavor when you make your own. Try a classic Italian flavor by using basil and oregano, make them spicy with crushed red pepper or liven up hummus with a sprinkle of za’atar-spiced bread crumbs.

Author
Hayley Schueneman
Hayley Schueneman (she/her) is an editor and writer for Taste of Home. She's loved all things food for as long as she can remember. Hayley has worked in media, marketing, food service and as a supervisor at Whole Foods, where a customer once threw a bag of quinoa at her head. (Don't worry, she still loves quinoa.) Her areas of expertise include veg...
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Hayley Schueneman