Bread dough is a wonderful thing.
It’s easy to work with and can be transformed into so many different things.
But what do you do when you have some leftover bread dough?
Here are some of my favorite ideas.
Let’s check them out.
Make cinnamon rolls
First, let’s start with something classic: cinnamon rolls.
Cinnamon rolls are always a hit, and they’re actually pretty easy to make.
All you need is some bread dough, cinnamon, sugar, and butter.
Roll out your dough into a large rectangle.
Spread on the cinnamon and sugar, then the butter.
Roll it up from the long side, slice it into rolls, and place it in a greased baking dish.
Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, and it’s done.
Make pizza
Another great idea is to use your leftover bread dough to make pizza.
This is a great way to use up any veggies you have in the fridge.
To start, you can either roll out your dough or stretch it into a large circle.
Spread on your favorite pizza sauce and toppings.
Bake at 400 degrees until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Make garlic knots
Garlic knots are another great option for bread dough.
They’re basically just little balls of dough that are boiled in garlic water, then baked.
To make them, start by boiling some water with garlic in it.
Cut your dough into small pieces and drop them into the boiling water.
Once they float to the top, remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a greased baking sheet.
Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown.
Make calzones
Calzones are also an excellent idea to try here.
They’re super easy to make and you can fill them with whatever you want.
To make them, start by rolling out your dough into a large rectangle.
Spread on your favorite pizza sauce and toppings, then fold the dough over.
Seal the edges with a fork, then cut slits in the top to vent.
Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown.
Make stromboli
You can also utilize your leftover dough to make stromboli.
This is a great option if you have some leftover meat that you need to use up.
First, flatten the dough into a rectangle.
Then, add your fillings to the dough, and roll it up.
Cut the stromboli into individual pieces, and bake at a high temperature until golden brown.
You can eat this dish with a dipping sauce, or on its own.
Make monkey bread
Another great option for using up your leftover bread dough is to make monkey bread.
This dish is made by coating small pieces of dough in a sugar and cinnamon mixture and then baking them in a bundt pan.
Once they are baked, you can drizzle them with a glaze, or simply enjoy them as is.
Monkey bread is best served warm and makes a great breakfast or snack.
Make breadsticks
Finally, you can also use your dough to make breadsticks.
This is a great option if you want something that’s savory and easy to eat.
To make breadsticks, start by cutting your dough into long strips.
Place them on a greased baking sheet, and brush with melted butter.
Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown.
Can you save leftover bread dough?
Yes, you can save leftover bread dough.
Bread dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months.
When ready to use, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight and then let it come to room temperature before shaping it into a loaf or roll.
What can be made from bread dough?
Bread dough can be used to make a variety of different foods, including bread, rolls, buns, pizza crust, and more.
With so many possibilities, it’s no wonder that bread dough is such a popular ingredient.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, there’s a bread dough recipe out there for you.
And once you’ve mastered the basics, you can start experimenting with different flavors and add-ins to create your own unique creations.
Can I keep bread dough in the fridge for 2 days?
Yes, you can keep bread dough in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Just make sure to cover it tightly so that it doesn’t dry out.
When you’re ready to use it, just take it out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking it.
Can I bake dough straight from the fridge?
Yes, you can bake dough straight from the fridge.
In fact, many recipes will tell you to do this in order to get a better rise out of your dough.
Just be sure to give it enough time to come to room temperature before baking.
Can you freeze bread dough after the second rise?
Yes, you can freeze bread dough after the second rise.
Just place it in a freezer-safe container and it will be good for up to 2 months.
When you’re ready to use it, just thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then let it come to room temperature before baking (source).
Can I leave bread dough in the fridge overnight?
Yes, you can.
If you plan on leaving your bread dough in the fridge overnight, it’s important to make sure that it’s covered tightly so that it doesn’t dry out.
You also want to make sure that it’s in a spot where it won’t be disturbed so that it can rise properly.
When you’re ready to bake the bread, just take it out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature before shaping it and baking it as usual.
How do you save risen dough?
To save risen dough, place it in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
When you’re ready to use the dough, remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before proceeding with your recipe (source).
Can I let the dough rise overnight on the counter?
There’s no need to let the dough rise overnight on the counter.
Just cover it and put it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
When you’re ready, just take it out and let it come to room temperature before you start baking.
The dough will still be good even if it doesn’t rise as much as it would have if you had let it rise on the counter.
Can I freeze bread dough?
Yes, you can freeze bread dough.
Most types of dough can be frozen for up to two months.
When freezing bread dough, make sure to place it in a freezer-safe container and label it with the date so you know when it was frozen.
To thaw frozen bread dough, place it in the refrigerator overnight or for at least eight hours.
Once the dough is thawed, it can be used to make bread, rolls, or other baked goods (source).
Why won’t my frozen bread dough rise?
There are a few reasons why your frozen bread dough may not be rising.
One reason could be that the dough was not thawed correctly.
If the dough is still frozen in the middle, it will not rise.
Another reason could be that the dough was over-proofed before being frozen.
This means that the yeast had already worked too much and was not able to continue working once the dough was frozen.
Finally, if the dough was not kneaded enough before being frozen, it will not rise.
The yeast needs gluten to develop in order for the dough to rise, and if the dough is not kneaded enough, there will not be enough gluten development.
How do you cook a loaf of frozen bread dough?
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a loaf pan and dust with flour.
Place the frozen bread dough in the pan and let it thaw for about 30 minutes.
Bake the bread for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown.
Let the bread cool before slicing (source).
How do you thaw frozen bread dough?
To thaw frozen bread dough, simply remove it from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature until it is soft enough to work with.
You can then proceed with shaping and baking it as you would any other dough.
Keep in mind that thawed dough may not rise as well as fresh dough, so you may need to give it a little extra time to rise before baking.
How do you make frozen bread dough rise faster?
There are a few ways to make frozen bread dough rise faster.
One way is to let the dough thaw for a bit before trying to make it rise.
Another way is to use warm water or milk instead of cold water or milk when you mix the dough.
You can also put the dough in a warm place, like near a radiator or in an oven that has been turned off but is still warm.
Finally, you can add a bit more yeast to the dough.
All of these things will help the dough to rise faster.
Conclusion
There you have it.
These are just a few of the many things you can do with leftover bread dough.
So, get creative and see what you can come up with.
I’m sure you’ll come up with some amazing dishes that your family and friends will love.
Thanks for reading.