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Easy Savory Bread Pudding

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Discover why this savory bread pudding recipe has become a viral brunch sensation! Perfect for transforming leftover bread into a gourmet meal, this versatile dish works for any occasion. After testing countless savory bread puddings, we've perfected the ultimate version that combines crusty bread, rich custard, and savory flavors.

A Comforting savory bread pudding made with crusty bread, fresh herbs, and a creamy custard base. Perfect for brunch, dinner, or entertaining.
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Golden-brown savory bread pudding in a round ceramic baking dish with crispy edges, garnished with herbs
Golden-brown savory bread pudding in a round ceramic baking dish with crispy edges, garnished with herbs

Beyond Traditional Bread Pudding

Unlike typical bread pudding recipes, this savory version elevates the comfort food classic into a sophisticated dish. Whether you're searching for bread pudding savory options or exploring new brunch ideas, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with home kitchen ease.

What Makes This Recipe Special

Why our savory bread pudding recipes stand out:

  • Entertaining staple
  • Perfect custard-to-bread ratio
  • Make-ahead convenience
  • Versatile serving options
  • Budget-friendly ingredients
  • Foolproof instructions
  • Customizable add-ins
  • Freezer-friendly
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Ingredients for Savory Bread Pudding

Essential Base:

  • Crusty artisan bread
  • Large eggs
  • Heavy cream
  • Whole milk
  • Fresh herbs
  • Garlic
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper

Savory Add-ins:

  • Caramelized onions
  • Sautéed mushrooms
  • Fresh spinach
  • Bacon or pancetta
  • Gruyere cheese
  • Fresh thyme
  • Roasted vegetables

Seasoning Blend:

  • Fresh herbs
  • Dijon mustard
  • Nutmeg
  • Garlic powder
  • Italian seasoning
Ingredients for savory bread pudding, including bread cubes, eggs, milk, cream, garlic, and herbs, on a white kitchen counter.

Why These Ingredients Matter:

This savory bread pudding recipe relies on quality ingredients. Day-old crusty bread absorbs the rich custard while maintaining structure. The combination of cream and milk creates the perfect consistency, while fresh herbs and aromatics infuse flavor throughout.

Pro Tip: Use artisan bread that's slightly stale - it better absorbs the custard while maintaining texture in your savory bread puddings.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Initial Prep

  1. Prepare bread:
    • Cut into 1-inch cubes
    • Toast until golden
    • Let cool completely
  2. Make custard:
    • Whisk eggs thoroughly
    • Add cream and milk
    • Season well
    • Add herbs
Golden toasted bread cubes on a baking tray, ready for savory bread pudding.

Assembly Steps

  1. Layer ingredients:
    • Start with bread layer
    • Add vegetables/meat
    • Pour custard slowly
    • Top with cheese
  2. Soaking:
    • Press gently to submerge
    • Let rest 30 minutes
    • Add more custard if needed
    • Cover if making ahead

Baking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F
  2. Bake covered 30 minutes
  3. Uncover for 15-20 minutes
  4. Rest 10 minutes before serving

Pro Tip: For the best savory bread pudding recipe results, let custard soak overnight - this ensures even distribution and better texture.

Substitutions

Substitutions for Savory Bread Pudding

Core Swaps:

  • Artisan bread → Sourdough/French bread
  • Heavy cream → Half-and-half
  • Whole milk → Plant-based milk
  • Fresh herbs → Dried (use ⅓ amount)

Cheese Options:

  • Gruyere → Sharp cheddar
  • Parmesan → Pecorino
  • Swiss → Fontina
  • Mixed cheese blends

Dietary Needs:

  • Eggs → Commercial egg replacer
  • Dairy → Plant-based alternatives
  • Gluten bread → GF artisan bread
  • Cream → Coconut cream

Pro Tip: When adapting your savory bread pudding recipe, maintain the same liquid-to-bread ratio for proper texture.

Variations

Classic Savory Styles:

  • Mushroom & Herb: • Wild mushroom blend • Fresh thyme • Garlic confit • Gruyere cheese
  • Ham & Cheese: • Black forest ham • Swiss cheese • Dijon mustard • Caramelized onions
  • Mediterranean: • Roasted tomatoes • Olives • Feta cheese • Fresh basil

Seasonal Spins:

  • Spring: • Asparagus • Peas • Fresh herbs • Goat cheese
  • Fall: • Butternut squash • Sage • Brown butter • Pecorino

Regional Takes:

  • French-Style
  • Italian-Inspired
  • Southwest
  • Greek Version

Each variation of this savory bread pudding recipes works best with complementary herbs and cheeses.

Equipment for Savory Bread Pudding

Essential Tools:

  • 9x13 baking dish
  • Large mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups/spoons
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Pastry brush
  • Aluminum foil

Pro Tools:

  • Digital scale
  • Serrated knife
  • Deep casserole dish
  • Glass mixing bowls
  • Storage containers
  • Heavy-duty foil

Use a glass baking dish for this savory bread pudding recipe - it helps monitor the bottom browning and ensures even baking.

Storage Equipment:

  • Airtight containers
  • Freezer-safe bags
  • Label markers
  • Plastic wrap

Storing and Frezing Tips

Fresh Storage:

  • Room temp: Not recommended
  • Refrigerated: 3-4 days
  • Airtight container
  • Cover tightly

Freezing:

  1. Unbaked:
    • Assemble completely
    • Wrap well
    • Freeze up to 2 months
    • Thaw overnight
  2. Baked:
    • Cool completely
    • Portion sizes
    • Double wrap
    • Use within 3 months

Reheating:

  • Oven: 350°F, 20-25 minutes
  • Cover with foil
  • Add splash of broth
  • Heat until center is hot

Pro Tip: This savory bread pudding recipe actually improves overnight as flavors meld. Perfect for make-ahead entertaining.

Game-Changing Tip for Perfect Results

For restaurant-quality savory bread pudding, toast your bread cubes at 250°F for exactly 30 minutes before assembling. This low-and-slow method removes moisture without over-browning, creating the perfect texture that soaks up custard while maintaining structure. Toss the warm cubes with a mixture of melted butter and fresh herbs before letting them cool - this infuses flavor into every bite of your savory bread pudding recipe.

Set aside 1 cup of custard mixture and reserve until just before baking. Pour it over any dry spots for perfectly even moisture distribution.

Ready to Transform Your Brunch Game?

Now you're equipped to create a savory bread pudding that'll impress any crowd. Whether for brunch, dinner, or entertaining, this versatile dish delivers consistent results. Remember the low-and-slow bread toasting trick - it's what elevates this from good to extraordinary.

For more comforting recipes, try our crispy Hillbilly Fish Fry Seasoning for dinner, spice things up with our Boulders Enchilada Recipe, make a family favorite Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, or enjoy the classic comfort of our Tim Walz Hot Dish Recipe.

Share your creation with us here or on social media, we would love to see your bread pudding variations.

Rate this recipe and join our brunch-loving family!

FAQs

Should bread pudding be refrigerated overnight before baking?

Refrigerating bread pudding overnight before baking is a great way to enhance its flavors and improve its texture. Letting the bread soak in the custard mixture overnight allows the ingredients to fully meld, ensuring every bite is rich and flavorful. For savory bread pudding recipes, this step is especially beneficial as it ensures that the savory ingredients like cheese, herbs, and spices are evenly distributed and well-infused. Just make sure to cover it tightly before refrigerating to prevent drying out or absorbing fridge odors.

Why is my bread pudding mushy?

A mushy bread pudding often results from too much liquid in the recipe or using bread that’s too soft. To avoid this, use day-old or slightly stale bread with a firmer texture, like sourdough, French bread, or ciabatta. These types of bread absorb the custard without disintegrating. Also, ensure you follow the recipe’s liquid-to-bread ratio carefully. Overbaking can also lead to mushiness, so bake until the edges are golden and the center is just set but not overly wet.

What are the three types of pudding?

Puddings generally fall into three main categories:
Boiled Puddings: These are traditionally made by steaming or boiling, often in a cloth or mold. Examples include British-style Christmas pudding.
Baked Puddings: These include both sweet and savory variations, like bread pudding or rice pudding, baked to perfection in an oven.
Chilled Puddings: These are set using ingredients like gelatin or cornstarch and served cold, such as mousse or panna cotta. Savory bread pudding recipes fall under the baked pudding category, known for their warm and hearty appeal.

Can pudding be either sweet or savory?

Yes, pudding can be both sweet and savory! Sweet puddings often feature ingredients like sugar, fruits, or chocolate and are served as desserts. In contrast, savory puddings, like a classic savory bread pudding recipe, are made with ingredients such as cheese, vegetables, herbs, and even meats. Savory bread puddings make a perfect side dish or main course, ideal for brunch, dinner, or even special occasions. Their versatility makes them a favorite for those looking to enjoy comforting, hearty flavors without leaning into sweetness.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with savory bread pudding :

Golden-brown savory bread pudding in a round ceramic baking dish with crispy edges, garnished with herbs

Easy Savory Bread Pudding Recipe

A Comforting savory bread pudding made with crusty bread, fresh herbs, and a creamy custard base. Perfect for brunch, dinner, or entertaining.
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Course: Brunch, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, European
Keyword: Bread Pudding Recipe, Brunch Ideas, comfort food, Leftover Bread Recipe, Savory Bread Pudding
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Soaking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 380kcal
Cost: 13$

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 baking dish (For even baking)
  • 1 Large mixing bowl (1For custard preparation)
  • 1 Whisk (To mix custard evenly)
  • 1 Measuring cups/spoons (For accurate ingredient measurement)

Ingredients

  • 8 cups Day-old bread cubes - Crusty bread preferred
  • 2 cups Milk - Whole milk recommended
  • 1 cup Heavy cream - For a rich custard
  • 4 Large eggs - Beaten
  • 1 teaspoon Salt - Adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper - Freshly ground preferred
  • 1 cup Shredded cheese - Cheddar or Gruyère
  • ½ cup Cooked bacon bits - Optional for flavor
  • ¼ cup Chopped fresh herbs - Parsley thyme, or chives
  • 2 tablespoon Butter - For greasing the dish

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together milk, heavy cream, eggs, salt, and black pepper.
  • Add the bread cubes to the custard mixture and let soak for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  • Fold in shredded cheese, bacon bits, and fresh herbs into the soaked bread mixture.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
  • Bake for 50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted comes out clean.
  • Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm!

Nutrition

Serving: 200g | Calories: 380kcal (19%) | Carbohydrates: 35g (12%) | Protein: 15g (30%) | Fat: 20g (31%) | Saturated Fat: 10g (63%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 100mg (33%) | Sodium: 600mg (26%) | Potassium: 150mg (4%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 5g (6%) | Vitamin A: 600IU (12%) | Vitamin C: 2mg (2%) | Calcium: 200mg (20%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)

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