Affiliates note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. My content may contain affiliate links to products and services. If you click through and make a purchase, I'll receive a small commission. It does not affect the price you pay.
Homemade Bread Crumbs – Fresh, Toasted, and Easy Panko
Homemade bread crumbs are easy to make. And you can make toasted, fresh, and Panko breadcrumbs for pennies by using leftover scraps of bread so that nothing goes to waste! Plus, you can use any type of bread you want, including sourdough and whole grain bread.
Easy Bread Crumbs Your Way
The great thing about making Homemade Bread Crumbs is that you can make any type that you want. Toasted breadcrumbs are great for using when a recipe calls for thin breading, such as when making chicken parmigiana. And having fresh breadcrumbs on hand is perfect when you need a binder when making meatballs or meatloaf.
And panko? Well, they are just about the most perfect breading for creating that delightful “crunch” for pan sautéed chicken or fish. In my video, I’ll show you an easy way to make panko bread crumbs with a process that literally takes less than 5 minutes!
If you like making casseroles, you will love having all three varieties of bread crumbs on hand (toasted, fresh, and panko) as any one of them makes the perfect casserole topping!
Fresh or Stale Bread?
In my previous video on How to Make Croutons, I shared with you how I like to save my bread scraps from day-old bread. It doesn’t matter what type of bread it is. I throw my scraps into a plastic bag-lined container that I keep in my freezer. Once I fill the container, I get ready to make croutons.
For me, I find the best croutons are made with the center of the bread and not the crusts. But if you have been with me for awhile, you know that I do not like to waste anything. So what happens to the crusts?
Crusts Make Great Bread Crumbs
Once I cut out the bread that I want to use for making croutons, I use the crusts to make bread crumbs. Using the crusts gives the bread crumbs a wonderfully rich flavor—even when they are used as fresh bread crumbs that have not been toasted! It’s the perfect solution of using every last bit of bread and helps you work toward creating a no-waste kitchen!
Stocking the Traditional Foods Pantry
Now that you’ve created Homemade Bread Crumbs for your Traditional Foods Pantry, watch these other pantry videos too! I share how to make Homemade Croutons and 10 Homemade Seasonings Blends. And for the easiest bread recipe you’ll ever make, be sure to watch How to Make “Faster” No-Knead Bread.
And once you master basic bread making, you’ll be ready to try your hand at sourdough too! You can start by watching my Complete Guide to Sourdough Starter where I walk you through the whole process of making your own starter – start to finish!
Stay in Touch with Mary’s Nest
- Subscribe to My YouTube Channel for Traditional Foods Videos (Free) - When you subscribe, be sure to click on the notification bell that will let you know each time I upload a new video.
- Subscribe to Mary’s Traditional Foods Newsletter (Free) - Get a free 36-page eBook for signing up: How to Stock Your Essential Traditional Foods Four-Corners Pantry.
- Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy (Optional Paid) - For more detailed videos, live streams, and exclusive members-only perks, join my YouTube membership community.
- Preorder The Modern Pioneer Cookbook (Optional Paid) - Get a printed book of Mary's nourishing recipes from a Traditional Foods Kitchen. This cookbook will be published by Penguin Random House with their DK imprint.
I look forward to having you join me in my Texas Hill Country Kitchen!
Homemade Bread Crumbs
Ingredients
- 4 cups Day-old bread and bread crusts Bread can be frozen and thawed.
- Seasoning, optional
Instructions
Fresh Bread Crumbs
- Cut day-old bread (that is still soft) into 1-2 inch pieces, including crusts, and place into a food processor. Process 2 cups of bread pieces at a time for approximately 10 seconds until a fine texture is reached where the bread prices are about half the size of a pea.
- Store fresh bread crumbs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for approximately two weeks
Toasted Bread Crumbs
- Cut day-old bread (that is still soft) into 1-2 inch pieces, including crusts, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Toast bread for 15 minutes in a 300°F oven.
- Remove from oven and allow bread pieces to cool, then process in a food processor for approximately 10 seconds until a finely ground bread crumb is achieved.
- Alternatively, toasted bread pieces can be placed into a plastic bag and then pulverized with a meat pounder or rolling pin to achieve a finely ground bread crumb texture.
- Store toasted bread crumbs in an airtight container in the pantry or the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for approximately two weeks.
"Easy" Panko Bread Crumbs
- For an easy version of Panko Bread Crumbs, spread fresh bread crumbs on to a baking sheet and bake in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes.
- Store easy Panko bread crumbs in an airtight container in the pantry or the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for approximately two weeks.
Seasoning Bread Crumbs
- Optionally, if you wish to season your bread crumbs, this works best with toasted bread crumbs. Add the desired seasoning along with bread pieces into the food processor and process together. (Alternatively, add seasoning to the bread pieces in the plastic bag and manually pulverize along with bread pieces.)
Video
Notes
Shop for items used in this blog post or video
Favorite Bread Crumb Making Supplies
- Handheld FoodSaver (older version)
- Handheld FoodSaver (newer version)
- FoodSaver Accessory Kit
- KitchenAid Food Processor
- Rubbermaid Slim Container
- Rubbermaid Airtight Container
- Hefty Jumbo Slider Bags
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
Recommended Reading
Amazon Shop and Shopping Guide
- Visit Mary’s Nest Amazon Shop
- Visit my Shopping Guide page
Get up to 15% off for stocking your Traditional Foods Pantry and equipping your Modern Pioneer Kitchen, including discounts from US Wellness Meats, Mockmill Grain Mill, Masontops, Cultures for Health, Survival Garden Seeds, Redmond Real Salt, Plan to Eat, and More!
*Affiliates note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. My content may contain affiliate links to products and services. If you click through and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission. It does not affect the price you pay.
**Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, a medical professional, a dietician, or a nutritionist. All content found on the MarysNest.com website, including text, images, videos, eBooks or eGuides, social media, or other formats, were created solely for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or proper nutritional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have watched in a video or read on this website. Use caution when following the recipe in this video. The creator and publisher of this video and website will not be held responsible for any adverse effects that may arise from the use of this recipe and method or any other recipe and method on this website or corresponding video channel.
