Easy Bread Bowl Recipe from Frozen Dough

The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.

This easy tutorial for making a bread bowl made from frozen bread dough is simple to make. This recipe makes 6 for $2.14; that’s just 36¢ per bowl! Check out the recipe video below! 

Enjoy your favorite soup in these Bread Bowls. Some of my favorites include Thick and Creamy Potato Soup, Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup, and this Creamy Vegetable Soup. 

Whoever came up with the idea of Bread Bowls deserves a place in a culinary hall of fame! They combine two of my favorite things: bread and soup, to create an amazing meal. 

Beautiful and practical, these turn your favorite wintertime soup into a fun dining experience! Bread Bowls seem to make your meal a little more special. I know it will become a family favorite for years to come.

Bread Bowls from Frozen Bread

With this recipe hack, you will be eating soup out of bread bowls anytime you want. Because let’s be real, we do not always have time to make everything from scratch.

So if we can have some shortcuts here and there that produce the same result; I am all for it. This recipe is made with white bread dough, but feel free to mix and match dough types to complement your soup.

The key with these Bread Bowls is to plan ahead! This recipe takes very little active prep time but overall takes about 4-7 hours, depending on your dough thawing method. Let me show you how to make bread bowls from frozen bread dough!

Ingredients needed to make Bread Bowls

You need just two ingredients to make bread bowls:

• 2 pounds frozen bread dough
• 1 large egg

How to make a Bread Bowl from frozen dough

STEP ONE: First, loosely cover the dough with plastic wrap, and thaw the dough overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter for about 5-6 hours. The dough should be thawed but still cold. 

STEP TWO: Next, shape each 1-pound chunk of dough into 3 equal balls, and space them out on a parchment-lined baking sheet or a silicone non-stick mat as I did.

STEP THREE: Then, brush each dough ball with the beaten egg. Lightly grease the plastic wrap and place it loosely over the dough balls.

STEP FOUR: Let dough rise until doubled in size, and remove the plastic wrap. 

STEP FIVE: Then bake until golden brown. Cool the bread until warm, and then cut off the top of each bread.

STEP SIX: Using your fingers, gently compress the bread’s sides and bottoms to create a larger well. Fill with your favorite soup or dip, and enjoy!

Cook’s Tools:

• baking sheet
• silicone baking mat
• wire rack

Tips for making this Easy Bread Bowl Recipe

Here are some tips for making this Bread Bowl recipe:

• Thawing the Bread Dough: Follow the instructions for thawing on the frozen bread dough package. It’s important to thaw the dough until it’s still cold but pliable. This will make it easier to work with and shape into balls.
• Proper Ball Shaping: When dividing the dough into six equal pieces, ensure each piece is of similar size. Roll each piece into a tight ball by tucking the edges underneath and rolling in a circular motion on a clean surface. This will help create a smooth and uniform shape.
• Proper Rising: After shaping the dough balls, place them on a prepared baking sheet, spaced 4 inches apart. Brush the dough balls with beaten egg to give them a golden crust. Cover the dough loosely with lightly greased plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out and create a warm rising environment. Find a warm spot in your kitchen for the dough to double in size, usually taking 2-3 hours.
• Baking Time and Temperature: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F before baking. Once the dough has grown and doubled, carefully remove the plastic wrap and place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for approximately 25 minutes or until the bread bowls turn golden brown. Keep an eye on them during baking to prevent over-browning.
• Cooling and Preparation: Once baked, transfer the bread bowls to a wire rack and allow them to cool until they are just warm to the touch. This step ensures they are firm enough to hold the soup or dip without becoming too soft or soggy.
• Hollowing the Bread Bowl: Use a knife angled slightly inward to slice off the top of each bread bowl. Then, gently compress the sides and bottom of the bread to create a well or hollow in the center. Be careful not to remove too much bread; you want to maintain a sturdy structure to hold the filling.

Bread Bowls Recipe Cost Breakdown

RECIPE COST: $2.14

PER SERVING COST: $0.36

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using name-brand products from grocery store websites. The recipe’s actual cost will vary depending on what your pantry is already stocked with and current grocery prices. 

• 2 pounds frozen bread dough – $2.04
• 1 large egg – $0.10

Ways we like to serve these Homemade Bread Bowls

Bread bowls can be served in various ways, depending on your preference and the filling you choose. Here are some ideas:

• Classic Soup Bowl: Fill the bread bowl with your favorite soup, such as creamy tomato soup, broccoli cheddar, or clam chowder. The bread absorbs the flavors of the soup and adds a delightful texture to each spoonful.
• Stews and Chili: Ladle hearty stews, such as beef stew or chicken and vegetable stew, into the bread bowl. Combining the rich, flavorful filling and the crusty bread creates a comforting and satisfying meal.
• Mac and Cheese Bowl: Fill the bread bowl with creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese for the ultimate comfort food experience. The tender bread and gooey mac and cheese create a satisfying and indulgent meal. You can top it with breadcrumbs or additional cheese and bake it for a crispy, golden crust.
• Dip Holder: If you’re serving dips at a gathering or party, hollowed bread bowls make excellent vessels for holding creamy dips like spinach and artichoke dip, buffalo chicken dip, or cheese fondue. Tear off pieces of the bread bowl to dip and enjoy.
• Salad Bowl: Use the bread bowl as a salad container for a unique twist. Fill it with fresh greens, toppings like grilled chicken, vegetables, cheese, and your choice of dressing. The bread bowl adds an interesting element and makes the salad more filling.
• Breakfast Delights: Start your day with a breakfast bread bowl filled with scrambled eggs, sautéed vegetables, cheese, and bacon or sausage. It’s a hearty and portable option for breakfast on the go.

Soup and Dip Recipes Perfect for Bread Bowls:

• Chicken and Gnocchi Soup from Olive Garden
• Thick and Creamy Potato Soup
• Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana
• Chicken Barley Soup
• Classic Tomato Soup with Basil 
• Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup
• Corn Chowder
• Creamy Vegetable Soup
• Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup
• Shortcut Italian Wedding Soup
• Slow Cooker Baked Potato Soup
• Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup
• Tuscan White Bean Soup
• Mexican Spinach Dip
• Secret Ingredient Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Whipped Feta Dip
• Homemade French Onion Dip
• Philly Cheesesteak Dip
• Loaded Bacon Ranch Dip Recipe

Storing and Reheating Homemade Bread Bowls

How do you heat a bread bowl?

Bake the bread bowls at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown. 

To reheat the bread when it has been stored at room temperature, place the bread in a 225-degree F oven until heated through, about 10-15 minutes. 

How do you reheat bread in a microwave?

There are three things to keep in mind when reheating bread in a microwave. First, it should be slightly moist to avoid drying it out.

Just use a damp paper towel and lay it on top of the bread. Next, cover it.

Cover the bread bowl with another paper towel. Lastly, keep the microwave power low. Microwave it at 30-50% power for one minute. 

Bread Bowl Recipe FAQs

Do bread bowls get soggy?

Bread bowls can get soggy if the soup sits in it for too long. I have found that the thicker and creamier soups do better in a bread bowl over a broth or thinner soup. 

How do you eat a bread bowl?

Bread bowls are literally genius! Delicious, and no bowls to wash? Sign me up, folks! To eat one, use the cap of the bread bowl to dip in the soup.

Or if you love bread as much as me, just eat it. Then eat the soup with a spoon. Lastly, you can begin tearing pieces of the bread bowl from the outer edges and eat it until you finish it.