Homemade Savory Leek Bread Pudding Recipe: Rustic Comfort Magic

This comforting savory leek bread pudding whispers warmth from classic French countryside kitchens.

Rustic ingredients dance together in a creamy symphony of textures.

Simple techniques bring out rich, complex flavors that feel simultaneously familiar and surprising.

Home cooks adore how easily these humble ingredients create something extraordinary.

Professional chefs secretly love recipes combining basic elements into elegant dishes.

Carefully selected herbs and fresh leeks promise a memorable experience at your table.

You’ll want to savor every single delectable bite of this soul-satisfying comfort food.

What Makes Savory Leek Bread Pudding a Winner

• Craft Gourmet Comfort: Transform ordinary ingredients into a sophisticated, restaurant-quality dish that impresses without complicated techniques.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare components ahead of time, making this recipe perfect for busy cooks who want a delicious, stress-free meal.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for brunch, lunch, dinner, or as a stunning side dish that satisfies vegetarians and food lovers alike.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like adding bacon, changing cheese types, or incorporating different herbs to match personal taste preferences.

Savory Leek Bread Pudding Ingredient List to Shop

• Leeks: A mild, sweet onion-like vegetable that provides a delicate flavor and soft texture to the bread pudding.
• Bread: Crusty bread cubes that soak up the custard and create a rich, hearty base for the dish.
• Eggs: The binding agent that helps create a smooth and creamy custard.
• Milk and Half and Half: Dairy components that contribute to the rich and luxurious texture of the pudding.

• Cheese: Adds a savory, melty element that enhances the overall flavor of the bread pudding.

• Dijon Mustard, Salt, Pepper, Chives, Thyme, Nutmeg: These ingredients provide depth, warmth, and complexity to the dish's flavor profile.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Help caramelize the leeks and add richness to the overall recipe.

Steps for Perfect Savory Leek Bread Pudding

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350F (175C) temperature, creating the perfect warm environment for your delicious dish.

Step 2: Prepare the Leeks

Slice leeks into delicate half-inch rounds.

Gently bathe them in lukewarm water to wash away any hidden dirt, then carefully drain and pat completely dry with paper towels.

Step 3: Caramelize the Leeks

Grab a skillet and heat it to medium-high.

Toss in the leeks with a sprinkle of salt, letting them sizzle for 5 minutes.

• Butter
• Olive oil

Cover the skillet and let the leeks slowly transform into sweet, golden delights.

Stir occasionally, cooking for 20-30 minutes until they’re perfectly soft and caramelized.

Step 4: Toast the Bread

Chop bread into cute 1-inch cubes.

Spread them across a sheet pan and toast for 20 minutes, watching them turn golden and crisp.

Transfer the crunchy cubes to a large mixing bowl.

Step 5: Create the Creamy Custard

• Eggs
• Milk
• Half and half
• Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Pepper
• Chives
• Thyme
• Nutmeg

Blend until smooth and fragrant.

Step 6: Build the Pudding

Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Sprinkle a layer of cheese on the bottom.

Add half the leek and bread mixture, top with more cheese.

Pour in the remaining leek mixture, then drench with custard.

Press bread cubes to ensure they soak up all the delicious flavors.

Let it rest for 10 minutes.

Top with final layer of custard and cheese.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 1½ hours.

Watch for a puffy, golden-brown top that signals culinary success.

Pro Tips for Creamy Leek Bread Pudding Results

• Rinse leeks in lukewarm water to remove hidden dirt and grit, ensuring a clean, sandy-free base for your dish.
• Cook leeks slowly on low heat, stirring occasionally to develop deep, sweet flavor without burning.
• Use day-old crusty bread like sourdough or country-style loaf for better texture and ability to absorb custard.
• Press bread cubes gently into custard to help them soak up maximum flavor and create a creamy, consistent pudding.
• Prepare the dish up to a day in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and making meal prep easier.

Unique Leek Bread Pudding Variations to Try Soon

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace regular bread with gluten-free bread cubes, ensuring a crispy texture and safe option for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap eggs and dairy with silken tofu, plant-based milk, and nutritional yeast for a creamy, protein-rich alternative that maintains the dish's savory profile.
• Herb-Infused Variation: Experiment with different herb combinations like rosemary, sage, or tarragon to create unique flavor dimensions while keeping the core recipe structure.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute bread cubes with cauliflower florets or zucchini chunks, reducing carbohydrates while preserving the pudding's comforting texture and rich taste.

Savory Leek Bread Pudding: Serving Inspiration

• Comfort Food Feast: Pair this hearty leek bread pudding with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy texture.
• Brunch Showstopper: Serve alongside crispy bacon or smoked salmon for an elegant weekend brunch that will impress your guests with minimal effort.
• Wine and Dine Pairing: Complement the dish's savory notes with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chardonnay that enhances the leeks' subtle sweetness.
• Leftover Magic: Reheat individual portions for a quick breakfast or lunch, topped with a fried egg for extra protein and a luxurious touch.

Leek Bread Pudding Storage Tricks for Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping the bread pudding covered tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Wrap individual portions or the entire dish in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for up to 2 months without compromising texture.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover dish with foil to prevent burning, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through, restoring its original crispy edges and creamy center.
• Zap individual servings for 1-2 minutes, stopping midway to stir and ensure even heating, though this method might slightly soften the bread's crisp texture.

FAQs

• What are leeks and how do they differ from other onions?

Leeks are mild, sweet members of the onion family with a delicate flavor. Unlike sharp onions, they have a more subtle taste and silky texture when cooked, making them perfect for dishes like this bread pudding.

• Can I use different types of bread for this recipe?

Yes, you can use various bread types like sourdough, country bread, or day-old baguette. Ensure the bread is slightly stale to help it absorb the custard better and create a perfect texture.

• Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?

While the current recipe contains eggs and cheese, you can easily make it vegetarian-friendly by using plant-based milk, egg substitutes, and vegan cheese options.

Savory Leek Bread Pudding Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Comforting French-inspired leek bread pudding brings rustic charm to dinner tables with rich, creamy flavors. Crusty bread, caramelized leeks, and silky custard unite in a hearty dish you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 12 cups bread cubes (from 1 large French bread loaf), toasted
• 3 cups leeks (about 3–4 leeks, white & light green parts)
• 2 cups gruyere cheese, shredded (or comte or emmental)
• 4 large eggs
• 4 cups milk
• 2 cups half and half

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 12 teaspoons kosher salt
• 12 teaspoons white pepper (or black pepper)
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 12 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon chives (or scallions)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme

Fats and Oils:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare oven by heating to 350F (175C), ensuring optimal temperature for baking.
2. Carefully slice leeks into thin rounds, then cleanse thoroughly by immersing in lukewarm water to eliminate any grit. Drain and gently dry with paper towels.
3. Create caramelized leeks using a medium-high heat skillet. Introduce leeks with a pinch of salt, cooking for 5 minutes. Reduce heat, incorporate butter and olive oil, then cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring intermittently until leeks transform into a soft, golden delicacy.
4. Transform bread into rustic cubes approximately 1-inch in size. Distribute evenly on a sheet pan, toasting for 20 minutes until achieving a crisp, golden texture. Transfer the crunchy cubes to a spacious mixing vessel.
5. Craft a luxurious custard by whisking eggs, milk, half and half, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, chives, thyme, and nutmeg until smooth and well-integrated.
6. Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light grease. Create a foundational layer of cheese, then alternate layers of leek-bread mixture and cheese. Carefully pour custard over the assembled layers, gently pressing bread cubes to ensure complete saturation. Allow 10 minutes for absorption before adding final cheese topping.
7. Bake for 1½ hours, monitoring until the pudding rises dramatically and develops a delicate golden-brown crust.

Notes

• Choose a leek variety like Mellow or King Richard for sweeter, milder flavor when caramelizing.
• Remove tough green tops from leeks to ensure tender, delicate texture in the final dish.
• Pat leeks completely dry after soaking to prevent excess moisture during cooking and achieve perfect caramelization.
• Use day-old crusty bread like sourdough or brioche for better absorption of custard and richer flavor profile.
• Create vegetarian version by substituting half and half with plant-based milk and using dairy-free cheese alternatives.
• Allow bread pudding to rest 10-15 minutes after baking to help custard set and improve slicing consistency.
• Try additional herbs like rosemary or sage to customize flavor complexity.
• Prepare dish ahead and refrigerate overnight, enhancing flavor melding and making meal prep easier.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 335 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 1430 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 125 mg