So, you’re looking to make your own homemade bread crumbs with that leftover bread you stashed deep in your pantry or countertop. Lucky for you, it’s pretty simple.
To answer the question: 2 slices of bread will yield about 1/2 cup of crumbs.
which also means…
- 4 slices of bread yields one cup of crumbs
- A single slice of bread yields one-fourth of a cup of dry bread crumbs
Breadcrumbs are a great way of adding texture and flavor to different foods – from a crunchy topping on a casserole to adding texture to fried chicken and veggie burgers and many more. It’s really actually and easy to start, especially if you already have bread on hand.
You can also make your own flavors, adding your preferred spices to the mix. Plus, you eliminate any unwanted chemicals and preservatives the store-bought types offer because you see EVERYTHING you put inside your panko crumbs. Total win-win.
With that being said, here is how you can make your own delicious and versatile panko bread crumbs that you can use for lots of future cooking adventures (and customize to how you like it).
how to make delicious bread crumbs
You can make breadcrumbs from virtually any type of bread AND you can also mix different kinds of bread for a variety of crumb flavor.
To make 1 cup of bread crumbs, you need 4 regular slices of bread (if you have stale bread or bread loaf ends, use that!)
Other tools you need include a food processor to turn the bread into crumbs, a knife and a blender. Blenders will save you time and energy to make a more uniform crumb, but if you only have a knife, that’ll work as well.
Making the Crumbs
First, trim any crust off your bread. This will help get you more uniform breadcrumbs.
or you can just leave the crust on to make tan panko. Totally up to you.
Make sure your bread is dry -preferably stale. If your bread is on the soft side, leave it on the counter for 2 hours to help dry it out and make it easier to cut. This is also helpful if you’re planning on using a food processor or a blender, since soft bread can get gummy inside the machine.
To speed up the drying process, place the bread on a shallow baking sheet inside a warm oven, until it becomes mildly toasted. But don’t overdo it! There is a fine line between the perfect toast and badly burnt bread. Keep a close eye and watch out for any burning.
Or if you just have a few bread slices, pop them inside a toaster for easier toasting.
Cutting and Preparation
Next, cut the bread into small crumbs. Make the smallest pieces possible, especially if you are working with a knife. If you want to speed this up even more, place your pieces into a plastic bag and use a rolling pin on top of the bag to roll and create smaller crumb pieces.
If you’re using a food processor or blender, tear the bread into small pieces then feed these to the machine one piece at a time. Do not over fill the blender or processor to keep the blades from getting stuck. Pulse the machine until you get the ideal size of breadcrumbs. From there, you can add any desired seasonings for flavor such as cheese, garlic powder herbs and spices.
How do I make Italian Bread Crumbs?
To make Italian breadcrumbs, simply take 1-2 cups of dry breadcrumbs that you just made and add a teaspoon of italian seasoning at a time to your liking. You can also make your own italian seasoning with equal parts garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley.
From there, you can use these fresh breadcrumbs for a meal or put them in a zip-lock bag and store in the freezer to increase the shelf life. When you need it, remove from the freezer and thaw.
Can I make soft bread crumbs?
Sure thing, although this might involve a bit more work on your part. For softer bread crumbs, all you’ll need is semi-dry or soft bread that you’ll tear into smaller 1″ pieces – to help with this, use a knife and cutting board to further chop your crumbs. From there, you’ll have cups of soft breadcrumbs to use for future cooking projects.
What can I use bread crumbs with?
Panko breadcrumbs add so much texture to cooked meals, especially meats and casseroles like sprinkling a fine layer over meat loaf and macaroni and cheese to make a crispy topping. Or, if you prefer larger bread crumbs, you can put 1 cup of soft breadcrumbs into salads. The possibilities are endless.
Can I make breadcrumbs with other types of food?
Yep, regular breadcrumbs are not just for….er…bread. Corn flakes, potato chips, and any other crunchy food that can be broken down into tiny crumbs are an excellent substitute. You’ll have cups of fresh crumbs to make a crunchy coating for future cooking ventures.
