Puff pastry can transform even the simplest ingredients into a dazzling meal or dessert.

Sadly, there always seems to be useless scraps leftover.

This precious, all-butter material is not cheap to buy, and certainly not easy to make.

Instead of tossing out the odd ends of laminated pastry gold, use the excess for something else altogether.

I always have an instinct to save the scraps of larger components.

Even if I dont have plans exactly, Ill throw scraps of all kinds in the freezer.

Spiced croutons

I saved the best for first.

This is my favorite way to use puff pastry scraps, and its one of the quickest.

Put the pastry leftovers on a cutting surface.

Cut the scraps into about half-inch sized pieces.

Throw the pieces into a medium bowl and drizzle about a teaspoon of oil over the top.

If you have a spray bottle of oil, about five sprays will do.

Toss the puff pastry with a fork.

Add any seasonings you like.

I like to add salt, cayenne, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and umami powder.

Toss again until the pieces are evenly coated.

Bake in a preheated 400F oven for 10-12 minutes.

Add croutons to soups, salads, pastas, or nibble on them as a crunchy snack.

Toss the pieces to coat well in the dry ingredients.

Fill the baking vessel about halfway full of your scrap mixture.

If you have leftover sugar at the bottom of the bowl, sprinkle it over the top.

Bake in a preheated 400F oven for 10-15 minutes depending on the baking dish youre using.

The monkey bread is finished when its toasted on top and well-risen.

Unmold the bread while its still warm because cold caramel can stick to the pan.

I find this works best with dry, aged cheeses because they dont drastically melt out.

Pour about half a cup of shredded parmesan, or other aged cheese, onto a work surface.

Run a knife through the shredded cheese to create a mince.

The cheese will stick and embed into the pastry.

Do this with all of your puff pastry pieces.

Place the pieces on a parchment lined baking pan and bake in a preheated 400F oven for 10-12 minutes.

The monkey bread makes an especially enticing centerpiece if built in a bundt pan.