How to Make Breadcrumbs

Learn how to make breadcrumbs at home in just a few easy steps! Use them in your favorite Italian recipes, baked dishes, or any recipe you like.

A gray bowl with homemade breadcrumbs and a spoon in it. The bowl of breadcrumbs is sitting on a dark background with a light gray napkin next to it.

Making breadcrumbs at home has never been easier!

If you’ve been buying store-bought breadcrumbs for recipes, I’m here to convince you that making breadcrumbs yourself is worth the little bit of effort in every way.

I’ve been only using homemade breadcrumbs in recipes for years now, and believe me, it makes ALL the difference in texture and taste! Plus, you can use whatever bread you like and make it healthier or gluten-free if needed.

And it takes less than 30 minutes to make it all happen! Shall we?

What You Need

All you need is bread! See below for my favorite types to use.

Slices of bread arranged on a dark background.

Our Favorite Bread for Homemade Breadcrumbs

Healthy bread: my top choice is Ezekiel bread. I use it almost every time! It’s a grain-free bread that is hearty, healthy, and on the dryer side – making it perfect for breadcrumbs. I also use sourdough, Dave’s Killer grain bread, or any gluten-free bread.

Regular bread: you can also use any white bread such as sandwich bread, Italian loaves, or baguettes. And if the bread is stale, even better – you can use that too!

Step-by-Step Instructions

(Photos 1 & 2) – First, set the oven temperature to broil on LOW. Arrange bread slices on a sheet pan and toast for 3-5 minutes on one side, then flip and toast for an additional 3-5 minutes on the other side. Or until the toast is golden. Toasting times may vary as every oven cooks differently.

Steps one through four showing how to make homemade breadcrumbs.

(Photo 3) – When the bread is toasted, remove from the oven and let them cool for 10 minutes. I like to break the toast into pieces to speed up the cooling process.

(Photo 4) – Then add the pieces in batches to a high-powered blender or food processor. Blend on high for 8-10 seconds to break up the large pieces, then pulse until the consistency is crumbs. Try not to over-pulse the bread or it will turn into a flour-like consistency.

Secrets to Perfect Breadcrumbs

Dry bread is best! Yes, you heard that right. The drier the bread the better! I have found using soft pillowy bread is harder to use for breadcrumbs. Because of the extra moisture, soft bread doesn’t dry out when toasted, so it’s harder to break down into pieces. You can use stale bread, Ezekial bread that is naturally a bit dry, or slowly toast the bread slices in the oven to really dry them out!

Don’t over-blend them – just a quick chop is all that’s needed! I usually chop the breadcrumbs for 8-10 seconds on high, then pulse as needed. If you break the breadcrumbs down too small it will be more of a flour consistency and less of a textured crumb!

Do it in small batches – only add a little bit at a time to blend, if you add too much you will have to blend the breadcrumbs too much – resulting in the flour-like consistency that we don’t want. Pulse the bread in small batches for the perfect texture.

The bread has to be completely cooled for it to work! This is key. If the bread slices haven’t cooled completely before blending, they will be too soft and won’t break down. The toast should be completely cooled for it to successfully turn to crumb!

What to use to chop the bread into crumbs – I’ve used both a high-powered blender and a food processor. Both work great!

A close up of homemade breadcrumbs in a gray bowl.

How to Store Leftovers

Store in your pantry: My favorite way to store leftovers is in an airtight container or mason jar with a tight lid. Use within 2-3 weeks!

Freeze them: A great way to keep breadcrumbs stored longer is freezing them in a freezer-friendly bag. They should keep for 2-3 months!

Our Favorite Ways to Use Them

I use these breadcrumbs a lot in recipes! My favorite recipes to use them in are eggplant parmesan, chicken parmesan, eggplant meatballs, and zucchini meatballs.

If you tried this How to Make Breadcrumbs recipe or any other recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, and FACEBOOK for more crave-worthy content.

A gray bowl with homemade breadcrumbs and a spoon in it. The bowl of breadcrumbs is sitting on a dark background with a light gray napkin next to it.

How to Make Breadcrumbs

5 from 2 votes

Instantly elevate your recipes by using homemade breadcrumbs instead of store-bought! Toss them into your favorite dishes for extra flavor and crispy texture. You can use your favorite healthy or gluten-free bread, or use stale bread that needs to be used up!

Servings 2 cups
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 7 mins
Cooling Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 22 mins

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Tags: homemade breadcrumbs, how to make breadcrumbs
Freezer Friendly: Yes
Calories: 81 kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 slices of bread (Yields about 2 cups of breadcrumbs depending on the size of bread you use)

Instructions

  1. Toast the bread: Set your oven to broil on LOW. Place the slices of bread on a sheet pan and toast for 3-5 minutes, then remove the pan and flip the bread slices. Toast for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until they are browned (but not burnt!). Toasting times may vary as every oven cooks differently.

    Note: You can also toast the bread slices in batches in a regular toaster.

  2. Let the toast cool: When both sides of the bread are evenly toasted, remove them from the oven and let cool completely (about 10 minutes). To speed this process up you can break the toast into smaller pieaces.

  3. Pulse into crumbs: In a food processor or high-powered blender, add a few slices at a time and blend for 8-10 seconds to break up the toast. Then pulse until it reaches a crumb consistency. Tip: try not to pulse too much or it will become more flour-like. Repeat this process until all the toast slices are used up.

    Use the breadcrumbs right away in recipes or preserve them for later!

Notes

My Italian Breadcrumb Recipe

  • 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried Italian herb blend
  • 1/2 teaspoon (each) of salt & black pepper

Mix ingredients in a small to medium-sized bowl. Use in your favorite recipes or save for later!

 

Nutrition Facts
How to Make Breadcrumbs
Amount Per Serving (0.25 cup)
Calories 81 Calories from Fat 10
% Daily Value*
Fat 1.1g2%
Saturated Fat 0.2g1%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 145.3mg6%
Carbohydrates 13.5g5%
Fiber 1.9g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 0IU0%
Vitamin C 0mg0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Bethany Kramer

Bethany Kramer is the cook and photographer behind A Simple Palate. She found a deep love for food and nutrition after learning to cook from her mom at eight years old. Since then she’s been developing and sharing recipes from her own kitchen that are bold in flavor and nourishing to the body!

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