Easy and Delicious Zero-Waste Cakes

4 Easy, Delicious & Budget-Friendly Zero-Waste Cake Recipes

Introduction: When zero waste becomes gourmet

Every year, tons of perfectly good food end up in the trash: overripe bananas, stale bread, yogurt nearing its expiration date, slightly bruised fruit… Yet, all these “forgotten” ingredients can be transformed into delicious homemade desserts . Welcome to the world of zero-waste recipes , where ecology, savings, and pleasure come together.

In this article, you'll discover four easy and accessible zero-waste cake recipes that transform leftovers into irresistible treats. Each recipe is designed to:

• Limit food waste
• Adapt to the ingredients available in your kitchen
• Offer gourmet variations (vegan, gluten-free, no added sugar…)
• Treat the whole family without breaking the bank

Get your whisks, bowls and sweet tooth ready: we're starting with the zero-waste star, the moist cake made with overripe bananas.

Recipe 1: Moist cake with overripe bananas

Difficulty level: ★★☆☆☆ (Easy)
Serves: 6 to 8 people
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes
Rest: 15 minutes

Necessary utensils

• Bowl
  
• Whisk or electric mixer
• Cake tin (non-stick silicone recommended)
• Spatula
• Kitchen scales

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas
• 200 g of flour
• 100 g of sugar
• 2 eggs
• 80g of melted butter (or 60ml of vegetable oil)
• 1 sachet of baking powder (10 g)
• 1 pinch of salt
• Optional: chocolate chips, chopped nuts, cinnamon, vanilla

Step-by-step preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Mash the bananas in a bowl until you get a smooth puree.
3. Add the sugar and eggs, whisk until smooth.
4. Stir in the melted butter or oil and mix.
5. Add flour, yeast and salt, mix gently.
6. Gourmet option: add chocolate chips, cinnamon or crushed nuts.
7. Pour into a greased or silicone mold.
8. Bake for 35 minutes until golden brown and a clean knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before unmolding.

Anti-waste tips & variations

• Very ripe banana = less sugar needed.
• Vegan version: eggs replaced by applesauce or plant-based yogurt.
• Gluten-free version: rice and corn flour.
• Blended dry bread can replace 50g of flour.
• Storage: 3 days at room temperature, 5 days in the refrigerator.

Recipe 2: Stale bread & melted chocolate cake

Difficulty level: ★★☆☆☆ (Easy)
Serves: 6 to 8 people
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Rest: 10 minutes

Necessary utensils

• Large salad bowl
• Pan
• Whip
• Cake tin
• Knife and board for chopping chocolate or nuts
• Kitchen scales

Ingredients

• 250g of stale bread
• 500 ml of milk
• 2 eggs
• 80 g of sugar
• 100g of chocolate
• 50g of melted butter
• 1 sachet of vanilla sugar or vanilla extract
• Optional: chopped walnuts, raisins, cocoa powder, cinnamon

Step-by-step preparation

1. Cut up the stale bread and put it in a salad bowl.
2. Heat the milk and pour it over the bread. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
3. Mash the bread and milk mixture until smooth.
4. Add eggs, sugar, melted butter and vanilla, mix.
5. Stir in the chocolate.
6. Pour into a greased or lined mold.
7. Bake at 180°C for 40 minutes until golden brown.
8. Let it rest for 10 minutes before unmolding.

Anti-waste tips & variations

• Very dry bread → blended before immersion.
• Leftover chocolates → mix of white, dark and milk chocolate for marbled effect.
• Lighter version: applesauce instead of butter.
• Fruity version: pears, apples or soaked raisins.
• Storage: 2-3 days at room temperature, 5 days in the fridge.

Recipe 3: Indulgent Sweet French Toast

Difficulty level: ★☆☆☆☆ (Very easy)
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Rest: 5 minutes

Necessary utensils

• Non-stick frying pan
• Spatula
• Bowl or deep plate
• Whisk or fork
• Cutting board and knife

Ingredients

• 4 slices of stale bread
• 2 eggs
• 150 ml of milk
• 1 tbsp of sugar
• 1 sachet of vanilla sugar or 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt
• Butter or oil for cooking
• Optional: cinnamon, fresh fruit, chocolate, maple syrup or honey

Step-by-step preparation

1. Beat together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt until smooth.
2. Soak the bread slices for 1-2 minutes on each side.
3. Heat a pan with a little butter or oil.
4. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
5. Place on a plate and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
6. Gourmet option: cinnamon, fresh fruit, syrup or melted chocolate.

Anti-waste tips & variations

• Very stale bread absorbs the mixture better and becomes melt-in-your-mouth.
• Add chocolate or raisins for extra indulgence.
• Serve with fresh fruit for a fruity version.
• Sprinkle with icing sugar or crushed nuts for crunch.
• Immediate consumption recommended, can be warmed up for a few minutes.

Recipe 4: Zero-waste yogurt cake

Difficulty level: ★☆☆☆☆ (Very easy)
Serves: 6 to 8 people
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Rest: 10 minutes

Necessary utensils

• Bowl
• Wooden whisk or spoon
• Cake or loaf tin
• Spatula
• Kitchen scales

Ingredients

• 1 plain yogurt (125 g) nearing its expiration date
• 2 jars of sugar
• 3 pots of flour
• 1/2 jar of vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 sachet of baking powder
• 1 sachet of vanilla sugar or 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• Optional: fresh fruit, chocolate chips, citrus zest, cinnamon, nuts

Step-by-step preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Pour the yogurt into a bowl, use the container to measure the other ingredients.
3. Add eggs, sugar and vanilla sugar, whisk until smooth.
4. Incorporate flour and yeast, mix gently.
5. Add the oil and mix.
6. Gourmet option: fruit, chocolate chips or nuts.
7. Pour into a greased or lined mold.
8. Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and a clean knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Let it rest for 10 minutes before unmolding.

Anti-waste tips & variations

• Yogurts nearing their expiration date become creamy.
• Lighter version: half the sugar replaced with applesauce or honey.
• Fruity version: apples, pears or bananas.
• Chocolate version: 50g of cocoa or chocolate chips.
• Storage: 3 days at room temperature, 5 days in the refrigerator, 1 month in the freezer.

Practical tips for a zero-waste kitchen

• Store your food wisely to prolong its shelf life.
• Organize your cupboards and fridge to use food that is close to its expiration date first.
• Recycle peelings and leftovers (chips, compotes, natural fertilizer).
• Get creative with leftovers (fruit, bread, biscuits).
• Plan your recipes and keep anti-waste ideas handy.

Blog articles to read

• Zero-plastic kitchen: sustainable equipment | Chef's utensil
• Zero waste in the kitchen: 7 tips | Chef's utensil
• Zero Waste in the Kitchen: A Complete Guide to Reducing Your Trash | Chef's Utensil

Useful links

• FAO – Fighting food waste
• Zero Waste France – Tips for zero-waste cooking
• Marmiton – Zero Waste Recipes
• WWF – Reducing food waste at home

FAQ – Anti-waste and zero-waste cakes

What is a zero-waste cake?

A cake made from ingredients nearing their expiration date or from leftover food.

Can I use overripe bananas for all cakes?

Yes, they provide natural sugar and a soft texture.

How can stale bread be used in a way other than cake?

French toast, breadcrumbs, gratins, croutons.

My yogurts are nearing their expiration date, are they still good for a cake?

Yes, if they don't have a strange smell or taste.

Which damaged fruits can I use in my desserts?

Apples, pears, bananas, slightly soft red berries.

Can butter be replaced in zero-waste recipes?

Yes, with oil, compote or yogurt for a soft texture.

How long do these cakes keep?

3 to 5 days in the fridge, or 1 month in the freezer.

How to make a zero-waste cake more delicious?

Chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, cinnamon or citrus zest.

Can I make these recipes vegan ?

Yes, eggs replaced with applesauce, banana puree or chia seeds, milk with plant-based milk.

Can sweet French toast be baked in the oven?

Yes, 10-15 minutes on a baking sheet for a lighter version.

How can I prevent my banana cake from being too moist?

Ripe but not mushy bananas and adjust the flour.

Can I use broken biscuits for a dessert?

Yes, crushed into crumbs for crumble, cheesecake or cake.

What to do with leftover melted chocolate?

Cakes, brownies, yogurt cakes or dessert toppings.

Can damaged fruit be frozen for later use?

Yes, 2-3 months for smoothies, compotes or cakes.

Do you always need to add sugar if the fruit is ripe?

No, adjust according to the natural sugar content of the fruit.

What type of bread should I use for French toast?

Baguette, wholemeal bread, sliced ​​bread or stale bread.

Can you make a zero-waste cake without an oven?

Yes, in a pan, microwave or gently steamed.

How to personalize a zero-waste yogurt cake?

Add fruit, chocolate, nuts, spices or zest.

What is the difference between a classic cake and a zero-waste cake?

Zero-waste cakes use ingredients that would otherwise be thrown away.

Why is zero-waste cooking important?

Reduce waste, save money and adopt a sustainable lifestyle.