I just made the most embarrassing loaf of banana bread. It came out so dense and chewy that it was practically inedible. So I put it back in the oven to no avail. So I sliced it up to expose its brick-like interior and returned it to the oven a third time. And voila. That's when I pulled out banana croutons!
The result of this three-time's-a-charm approach to baking was toasty, crunchy banana-y croutons that were perfect for topping vanilla ice cream and even a basic salad with Vidalia onion dressing. If you ever find yourself with a failed loaf of banana (or zucchini) bread, give this a shot and see if something beautiful rises from the ashes.
I unfortunately didn't grab a picture (like I mentioned, I was quite embarrassed of this particular loaf of bread). That's Sarah of The Wood Family's Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Crouton creation pictured up top.
Related: Soup Topper Recipe: Zesty Croutons
(Image: Sarah/The Wood Family)
How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Energy Bars at Home
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
TW Salt Mill by Wil...
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Marisa and Peter's Playfully Eclectic Home
Bet it would be good if you put it in a fruit panzanella.
My other fix for ruined quick breads is French toast. Soaking it in the egg-milk mixture fixes any dryness; frying it up eliminates any sogginess. I did this to a horrible batch of pumpkin bread and ended up with maybe the best breakfast of my life...
I want to put this on vanilla ice cream!
I also once made a disastrous pumpkin bread--too much flour or something, it was like a brick. I cubed it and made it into the most delicious bread pudding (with chocolate chips!)...
genius!!
Great idea!
love this!
Need it!
I think I would eat more spinach salad if there were banana bread croutons in my life...
I wonder if you couldnt put these croutons in a food processor and use them to make a pie crust...I think I know what I'm doing this weekend!
Use them for dipping when you make fruit and chocolate fondue I bet they would be very good.
What about using the croutons for bread pudding?
Either way, any of the suggestions sound fantastic!
mmm I wonder how it would be as stuffing/dressing with a chicken dinner. Maybe glaze the bird with a bit of soy sauce and molasses, and a bit of roasted mango and papaya with the bird. Muy Tropical
love it! I make so much bread and have a difficult time finishing them. Good alternative
I made bread pudding from several over-baked cakes my old girlfriend made.