If you have ever wondered how to make breadcrumbs at home, it is so simple to do, and here's how:
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Learn how to make breadcrumbs at home using leftover bread. Making breadcrumbs is a great way to reduce food waste and is budget-friendly.
Cost To Make
Estimated cost = $0.83 or about $0.26 a cup
Why You'll Love This Recipe:
- Making breadcrumbs is a great way to reduce food waste by using leftover bread, dinner rolls, or crust offcuts instead of throwing them in the bin.
- Breadcrumbs are fast to make and store very well.
Ingredients In This Recipe
The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.
Bread - You can use sliced or loaf bread. We used white sliced sandwich bread for this recipe, but use whatever bread you have on hand.
Step By Step Instructions
Here's how to make breadcrumbs at home using a food processor.
If you don't have a food processor, check out our recipe for making breadcrumbs without a food processor.
Step 1 - Roughly tear or cut the bread into small pieces and place it into the bowl of a food processor.
Step 2 - Process for about 20 - 30 seconds or until the bread resembles fine crumbs.
Step 3 - Spread the crumbs in an even but not too thick layer on a rimmed baking tray or two.
Step 4 - Place the trays into a preheated oven to 150°C (300°F) and bake for about 20 - 30 minutes or until dry.
Step 5 - Remove from the oven, cool on the tray, then transfer to a dry container with a lid or a zip lock bag for storage.
Recipe Tips
- You can use either fresh or stale bread but don't use bread that has gone moldy.
- Don't overbake the breadcrumbs to the point where it turns a dark golden brown. They should be dry and just lightly golden in color. If you do overcook the crumbs and use them for a coating for frying or baking, the crumbs will turn even darker and can look and taste burnt.
- Occasionally stir the crumbs with a fork to move them around on the trays during baking for even drying.
- The baking time is just a guide because oven temperatures do vary.
- You can tell when the breadcrumbs are ready by feeling them. Pick up some crumbs and rub them between your fingers. They should feel dry and crumbly if not bake them for a little longer.
Variations
Make Italian bread crumbs - Measure 2 cups of dried breadcrumbs and place them into a mixing bowl. Next, add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and 2 teaspoons of Italian herb seasoning mix and stir well to combine.
Other Ways To Flavour Homemade Breadcrumbs
You can easily add other ingredients to homemade breadcrumbs for added flavor and texture;
- Mix in a teaspoon or two of your favorite dried herbs.
- Stir in finely grated parmesan, Romano, or cheddar cheese.
- Mix in some chicken, beef, or vegetable stock powder.
- Add everything bagel seasoning.
- Try using a dry soup mix like French onion soup.
- Or try using a dry taco seasoning mix.
How To Use
- They are great to use as a coating on cutlets, croquettes, patties, or rice balls.
- Use breadcrumbs in meatballs, crab cakes, meatloaf, and hamburger patties to absorb moisture and add bulk.
- Use breadcrumbs for making stuffing's.
- Or use them to create crunchy toppings for pasta and bakes.
Storage
Store breadcrumbs in an airtight container or a zip lock bag with the air squeezed out.
They can be stored in the fridge for up to one month or frozen for up to three.
Frozen breadcrumbs take very little time to thaw and can be used straight from the freezer.
FAQ
The standard bread crumbs sold in the supermarket are white breadcrumbs.
However, you can use whatever leftover bread you have at home. It could be sliced bread, loaf bread, white, wholemeal, buns, and even gluten-free bread to make breadcrumbs.
I do hope you like this post on how to make breadcrumbs at home. If you do, please come back and leave a comment below because I would love to know how you went.
You might also like our Panko breadcrumb recipe. If you don't have a food processor, check out our recipe for making breadcrumbs without a machine.
Recipe
How To Make Breadcrumbs At Home
EQUIPMENT
- Serrated knife and cutting board (optional)
- Baking trays (1-2)
- Food processor
- Oven
INGREDIENTS
- 280 grams (10 ounces bread) sliced or loaf bread
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F)
- Cut or tear the bread into small pieces and place it into a food processor.
- Process on high speed for about 30 seconds or until the bread resembles fine crumbs.
- Transfer the crumbs to the baking trays spreading out into an even thin layer.
- Place into the oven and bake for 5 -10 minutes - use a fork to stir the breadcrumbs, bake for 10 - 20 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs feel dry and are still light in color. Stir the crumbs one or two times more as they are drying.
- Remove from the oven, leave the breadcrumbs on the trays to cool.
- Transfer the breadcrumbs to an airtight container for storage.
Notes
- Recipe makes 3 ¼ level cups of breadcrumbs.
- You can use either fresh or stale bread but don't use bread that has gone mouldy.
- Don't overbake the breadcrumbs to the point where it turns a dark golden brown. They should be dry and just lightly golden in color. If you do overcook the crumbs and use them for a coating for frying or baking, the crumbs will turn even darker and can look and taste burnt.
- Occasionally stir the crumbs with a fork to move them around on the trays during baking for even drying.
- The baking time is just a guide because oven temperatures do vary.
- You can tell when the breadcrumbs are ready by feeling them. Pick up some crumbs and rub them between your fingers. They should feel dry and crumbly if not bake them for a little longer.
Donna says
I love this. Thanks!