Wait! Don’t toss that stale bread on your counter. Use it to make homemade breadcrumbs instead!
Up until recently, Jack and I rarely had stale bread hanging around the house. We just weren’t bread people. Every so often, we’d get a good crusty loaf to enjoy with a pot of soup, or Jack would make his own bread for a fun weekend project. But regular old sandwich bread? Nope, we never had it on hand.
But over the last year or so, Jack has started making sandwiches for lunch instead of going out or ordering in like he used to. As a result, we always have a loaf of bread in the kitchen…and I’ve fallen in love with homemade breadcrumbs. They’re crispy, crunchy, toasty, and rich, and you can season them up however you’d like. Toss them with a little lemon zest and grated pecorino cheese, and you have a tasty topping for almost anything. Pastas, salads, grain bowls… The store-bought kind is nowhere near as good.
They should keep at room temperature for a few days and in the freezer up to a month. If when you go to use them, they could be a bit more crispy, simply throw them into the oven or a hot skillet for a few minutes (keeping an eye on them so that they do not burn), and then use.
Homemade Breadcrumbs Recipe Ingredients
This recipe starts with 3 basic ingredients:
- Bread, of course! I like to use sourdough for its tangy flavor, but really, any type of bread will do. Stale bread works especially well, but because we’ll be toasting these breadcrumbs in the oven, fresh bread is fine too. It’ll just take a little longer to crisp up.
- Extra-virgin olive oil – It deepens the breadcrumbs’ flavor and helps them get toasty and golden in the oven.
- And salt – To make the toasty, bread-y flavors pop!
If you want to make basic homemade breadcrumbs, that’s all you’ll need! But if you’re planning to use the breadcrumbs as a crispy topping for a pasta, a salad, or a casserole, I highly recommend seasoning them more. I like to toss mine with lemon zest and savory pecorino cheese. Vegan Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and/or red pepper flakes would be great choices too.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Breadcrumbs
My method for how to make breadcrumbs is super simple! Here’s how it goes:
First, pulse the bread. Tear the bread slices into small pieces. Then, place the pieces of bread in a food processor and pulse to achieve your desired texture. For really fine breadcrumbs, remove the crust from the bread before you pulse it.
Next, toast the breadcrumbs. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and toss them with the olive oil and salt. Spread them in an even layer, and bake at 350°F for 10-18 minutes, tossing halfway. They’re ready when they’re golden brown and crisp.
Then, season the breadcrumbs. This step is totally optional, but highly recommended. While the breadcrumbs are still warm, transfer them to a bowl and toss them with your desired seasonings. After you toss everything together, adjust the seasoning to taste.
That’s it! Sprinkle the seasoned breadcrumbs over anything that could use a crispy, crunchy topping. I love them on this cauliflower pasta, and they’re also a good sub for the croutons in this Caesar salad.
If you have a favorite way to use homemade breadcrumbs, let me know in the comments!
The Standard Breading Process in 3 Easy Steps – Kitchen Conundrums with Thomas Joseph
FAQ
How do you keep breadcrumbs from getting soggy?
Why are my breadcrumbs not crispy?
What is the best way to store packaged bread crumbs?
How do you store bread crumbs after opening?
How do you keep homemade bread crumbs fresh?
Simply allow the bread to cool completely, cut it into smaller pieces, and process it in a food processor or blender until you achieve the desired crumb consistency. From there, you can follow the storage methods outlined in this guide to keep your homemade bread crumbs fresh for future use.
Why do I get muscle cramps after eating breads?
For those individuals with Gluten sensitivity, inflammation may result in widespread pain or cramps after consuming gluten containing diet. Gluten diet usually includes wheat, barley, maize, etc. Other symptoms include tiredness, bloating, leg numbness and stomach aches.
How do you keep bread crispy?
The simplest way to keep your bread’s crust crispy is by using proper cooling and reheating techniques. Allowing your bread to cool down completely before slicing helps retain its moisture, while reheating in the oven at around 350°F (175°C) restores that delightful crunchiness.
How do you make bread crumbs last longer?
Dry the Bread: To ensure that the bread crumbs have a longer shelf life, you’ll need to dry them thoroughly. Place the bread pieces on a baking sheet and allow them to air dry for a few hours or bake them in a preheated oven at a low temperature (around 200°F or 93°C) for about 10-15 minutes.