Are you looking for some easy leftover dinner roll recipes? Try one of these 16 recipes using leftover dinner rolls that are easy, creative, and delicious!
Leftover dinner rolls can be a real pain sometimes. Even though they are soft and amazing the day you buy them, they usually go stale the very next day!
You have to either eat them all right away or put them in the fridge and hope they don’t go stale before you get a chance to eat them.
But what if there was another way?
What if you could turn those leftover dinner rolls into something extraordinary and super delicious?
If you’re like me, and you hate wasting food (and love improvised recipes!), then you’re in luck! I’ve rounded up some of the best recipes for using up those leftover dinner rolls. From savory to sweet, there’s something here for everyone.
So, next time you’re wondering what to do with leftover dinner rolls, don’t despair!
Just whip up one of these delicious recipes using dinner rolls and enjoy!
How Long Do Buns Stay Fresh?
If you buy fresh rolls from the supermarket bakery section, they will only last a few days before they become tough. To extend the freshness and keep them soft for a bit longer, wrap them tightly in plastic and keep them at room temperature. Alternatively, you can try one of these 16 delicious recipes for using up stale dinner rolls.
What Can I Make With Leftover Rolls?
- Monkey Bread
- Garlic Rolls
- Breakfast Strata
- Bread Pudding
- Crackers
- Croutons
- Breadcrumbs
- Stuffing
- Make Mini Pizzas
- Make Jam Donuts
- Ham Cheese Sliders
- French Toast Bake
- Make Grilled Cheese
- German Bread Dumplings
- Apple Brown Betty
- Sloppy Joe Casserole
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17 Easy Leftover Dinner Roll Recipes:
Here are some great ideas for using up day-old bread rolls. Whether you have leftover store-bought dinner rolls or homemade dinner rolls, you’ll find an easy recipe to use them up from the list below.
So let’s get cooking!
1. Monkey Bread
A super simple and delicious way to use up leftover buns. This monkey bread has that juicy texture and gooey caramelized topping that will make your mouth water. It’s a great breakfast recipe for using up bread slices or rolls.
All you need to make this monkey bread recipe is a pack of dinner rolls (a day old or even stale bread is perfect for this), eggs, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter.
2. Leftover Rolls Breakfast Sliders
Use up your leftover Hawaiian dinner rolls by making these easy egg sliders. A delicious combination of fluffy eggs melted cheddar cheese and sweet Hawaiian rolls. This easy breakfast comes together in just 10 minutes and is a family favorite!
3. Make Grilled Cheese
Who doesn’t love grilled cheese? It’s the perfect comfort food! I can already imagine taking a bite out of a gooey, cheesy grilled cheese sandwich dipped in some thick tomato soup.
If you have leftover dinner rolls at home, you can also make the grilled cheese of your dreams!
Just slice the rolls in half, spread on some butter or margarine, add your favorite cheese, and grill until melted and golden brown. Makes for an amazing breakfast the next day!
4. Crackers
Imagine this – fresh, homemade crackers spread with your favorite cheese or dip. I can’t think of a healthier or tastier way to use up those leftover dinner rolls!
To make these wafer-thin, super-crispy crackers, cut your leftover rolls into 3mm slices. Brush both sides with olive oil or butter and bake at a low temperature until crisp.
Season with salt, pepper, or any other spices you like, and your crackers are ready!
Related: 15 Best Leftover Bread Recipes to Make When Hungry (&Broke)
5. Croutons
Croutons are a great way to liven up any salad or soup. That slight crunch and burst of flavor can make all the difference! And they’re really easy to make at home!
Just cut your leftover dinner rolls into uniform bite-sized pieces, toss with some olive oil or butter, and bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Add some garlic or herbs to make them extra flavorful, and voila! You’ve got homemade croutons that are way better than anything you could buy at the store.
6. Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs are a kitchen staple that can be used in so many different ways. They add texture and flavor to all kinds of dishes, from baked goods to pasta sauces. Plus, you can make them in just seconds!
Just pulse your dry leftover dinner rolls in a food processor until they’re broken down into coarse crumbs. Pack them into Ziplock bags and store them in the freezer for up to three months. Now you’ve got breadcrumbs on hand whenever you need them!
Related: Leftover Hot Dog Buns French Toast
7. Make Mini Pizzas
Probably my favorite way to use up leftover dinner rolls is to make mini pizzas! These little flavor bombs are the perfect size for snacking, and they’re so easy to customize with your favorite toppings.
Simply preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the rolls in half and place them on a baking sheet. Spread on some tomato sauce or pesto, add shredded mozzarella cheese, sprinkle your favorite toppings, and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Enjoy!
8. Make Jam Donuts
I’ve shown you a couple of savory ways to use up those leftover dinner rolls, but what about something sweet? These jam donuts are the perfect treat and are great for using up leftover sweet dinner rolls!
They’re soft and fluffy on the inside with a crispy coating, and they can be filled with your favorite jam!
To make these donuts, dip the tops of your rolls in some melted butter, confectioners’ sugar, and cinnamon.
Toast them in the oven for 10 minutes till golden brown. Allow them to cool slightly, then fill a piping bag with your favorite jam and use it to fill the donuts. Delicious dinner roll jam donuts ready!
9. Garlic Rolls
A super quick and easy to make garlic bread rolls.
It will only take you 10 minutes to assemble these little beauties and they will make a fantastic complement to any pasta dish.
10. Leftover Buns Casserole Breakfast Strata
Eggs, milk, cheese, and bread are the elements of the breakfast strata. Its personality comes from the fillings, which you can choose from, such as sausage, vegetables, ham, etc.
The casserole can be assembled the night before and then baked the next day for a great comfort food dish.
11. Bread Pudding
The Easy Bread Pudding never fails to delight family and friends with its simplicity, taste, and ease.
A classic dessert with very few ingredients, it is perfect for breakfast when paired with a warm cinnamon sauce.
12. Stuffing
13. Ham Cheese Sliders
The ham and cheese sliders with poppy seed dressing are sure to be a favorite among everyone.
This recipe is great for utilizing leftover ham and rolls. Try adding some everything bagel seasoning to make it extra tasty!
14. Leftover Dinner Rolls French Toast Casserole
French toast baked with Dinner Rolls is a great way to use up leftover dinner rolls.
You could prepare it the night before and let sit in the fridge overnight to be enjoyed for breakfast the next morning. Drizzle with maple syrup and you’ll have the perfect breakfast casserole for the whole family to enjoy!
15. German Bread Dumplings
Bavarian bread dumplings, drenched in gravy, are a specialty of southern Germany’s Bavarian region.
Discover how to make these homemade Knoedel made with diced hardened bread rolls, onions, butter, fresh parsley, milk, eggs, salt, and pepper from scratch!
16. Apple Brown Betty
Comfort food made from apples, bread, and spices, just how grandma used to make it. This classic apple brown betty recipe is the perfect fall treat!
Don’t forget to serve this delicious dessert with a scoop of ice cream.
17. Sloppy Joe Casserole
They are a tasty alternative to a traditional sloppy joe made with dinner rolls and filled with seasoned ground beef. Baked with cheese, these mini sloppy joes are sure to please everyone.
18. Mexican Molletes
This traditional Mexican bread is typically made with bolillo rolls which are crusty rolls with a soft and fluffy center, similar to a baguette. You can choose to however make the Molletes with crusty leftover dinner rolls instead.
Simply cut 4 rolls in half, spread with 1/2 tbsp of butter on each side, and spread with 2 tbsp of refried beans and some shredded cheese on top and bake at 400 F(200C) for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted. Serve with some pico de gallo and enjoy!
19. Garlic Bread From Hot Dog Buns
Now this recipe technically uses hot dog buns, not dinner rolls but you can easily swap out the buns for rolls and follow this exact recipe.
You will love how simple this 4-ingredient recipe is and it always comes out perfect!
Related: 13 Leftover Hot Dog Buns Ideas
16 Leftover Dinner Roll Recipes
Ingredients
- Monkey Bread
- Garlic Rolls
- Breakfast Strata
- Bread Pudding
- Crackers
- Croutons
- Breadcrumbs
- Stuffing
- Make Mini Pizzas
- Make Jam Donuts
- Ham Cheese Sliders
- French Toast Bake
- Make Grilled Cheese
- German Bread Dumplings
- Apple Brown Betty
- Sloppy Joe Casserole
- Mexican Molletes
Instructions
- Select your favorite creative way to use dinner rolls
- Gather all of the needed ingredients
- Make an easy recipe using leftover dinner rolls
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 41Total Fat: 26gCarbohydrates: 40gSugar: 30gProtein: 6g
The nutritional information provided is based on the Monkey Bread (#1 recipe on the list)
FAQs
How do you freshen up dinner rolls?
To freshen up dinner rolls in the oven, preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C). Spread a little bit of melted butter on the rolls, place them on a baking tray and bake for 4-5 minutes until slightly warm.
How do you freshen rolls in the microwave?
To freshen a roll in the microwave start by soaking a piece of paper towel in some water and then squeezing it dry until it’s just damp. Cover the bread roll with the paper towel wrapped around it. Microwave for 15 seconds.
Final words
Next time you have some leftover dinner rolls, make sure you come back to this post and try out one of these 17 recipes! They’re all super easy to make and are absolutely delicious. Trust me, your rolls will not go to waste!
Do you have any other creative ways to use dinner rolls? Let us know down in the comments, I’m always looking for fresh new ideas!
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About the author, Clary Kingsley
I'm a DIY-loving millennial with a passion for cozy home decor and cooking healthy, mouthwatering meals. My adventurous spirit leads me to explore creative ways of making money online, like selling printables and crafts. Join me on this exciting journey as I share my enthusiasm and zest for life!