Substitutes for Bread Crumbs
Finding a bread crumb substitute in your pantry is easier than you think! For ¼ cup fine, dry bread crumbs, substitute any of these items:
¾ cup soft bread crumbs¼ cup panko¼ cup cracker or pretzel crumbs¼ cup crushed cornflakes or other unsweetened cereals⅔ cup regular rolled oats (Use this only as a substitute for bread crumbs in meat loaf and other meat mixtures, such as burgers. Oats won’t crisp up nearly as nicely in uses such as casserole toppings and breadings.)
Remember, you can always make your own bread crumbs at home if you’ve got bread on hand. And if you’re seeking healthy bread crumbs, make some from whole wheat or whole grain bread, or use crushed bran flakes cereal.
Gluten-Free Substitutes for Bread Crumbs
You can certainly still enjoy meat loaf, crunchy toppings, and breaded foods while eating gluten free. Give these options a try.
Make your own from any gluten-free bread you have on hand. Give this bread crumb-making hack a try. Use the rolled oats tip above using gluten-free oats. Use equal amounts of any unsweetened gluten-free cereal, crushed. Well-known cereals such as Chex and Cheerios make good options, but always check the ingredient list or be sure the cereal is labeled “gluten free.” Cereals such as cornflakes and Rice Krispies often contain barley malt, which means that even though they are made of corn and rice, there is still gluten. Use equal amounts of gluten-free cracker crumbs.
While you’re thinking of it, add these to your grocery list for your next trip or place an order for some gluten-free bread crumbs ($2, Target) or gluten-free panko crumbs ($3, Target) right now.
Types of Bread Crumbs
There are three common types of bread crumbs (plus cracker and cereal options). Here’s what to know about each.
Fine, Dry Bread Crumbs
If a recipe calls for bread crumbs, this is usually the kind it means. If making your own fine, dry bread crumbs, you’d use slightly stale bread and process to a very fine texture. These crumbs are best for adding to ground meat dishes or for breading fried (and oven-fried) foods.
Soft Bread Crumbs
These must be made; there are no products to purchase. They are made from fresh bread and will be a bit fluffier (and softer, as the name implies) than the other bread crumbs. Soft bread crumbs are commonly used to top casseroles like this one, a Beef and Noodle Casserole.
Panko
This section of the bread crumb aisle seems to be ever-expanding in recent years. Panko crumbs are light and crisp with a coarser texture than fine, dry crumbs. These crumbs work in most any bread crumb situation: toppings, coatings, and mixing in. Now that you know what to use in a pinch instead of bread crumbs, you can continue on with that chicken and wild rice casserole, meatballs, or cheesy chicken casserole.
