The Easiest Breadcrumbs

These are the easiest breadcrumbs to make and are the pantry staple everyone needs in their kitchen! Having homemade breadcrumbs on hand makes so many dishes like homemade crumbed chicken nuggets, crumbed fish, or crunchy tops of mac & cheese so delicious!

Not only do these homemade breadcrumbs taste 5000 times better than the grocery store breadcrumbs, but they can also save you money, cut back on food waste and be adaptable to be gluten-free or healthier by using seeded and wholemeal bread.

And when I say the easiest breadcrumbs I wasn’t lying!

All you need to do is freeze bread crusts and leftover bread products before they go mouldy (the bread can totally be stale btw). I store mine in a large snaplock bag in the freezer and when I have a food prep or baking day when the oven is already on. I defrost the collected frozen bread and process it into fine crumbs, then bake the leftover bread rejects into crunchy golden delicious breadcrumbs that store perfectly in an airtight jar ready to be sprinkled over pasta, used as a coating or in burger patties and meatballs or as a crunchy topping for casseroles, yum! Or you can just make them straight from bread you have on hand!

🍞 Why Homemade Breadcrumbs? Supermarket breadcrumbs are such a convenience, but toasting your own homemade breadcrumbs offers fresh, rustic crunchy texture to so many meals.

🥖 Bread Selection: Start with your favourite bread – be it a rustic stale baguette, burger buns, a hearty whole grain loaf, or even leftover sandwich slices. This is the perfect opportunity to repurpose and reduce food waste instead of feeding the local birds.

Toasted golden breadcrumbs add a delightful crunch and texture to various meals. Here are some recipe ideas where you can use your homemade breadcrumbs in cooking:

1. Chicken Parmesan:
   • Coat chicken cutlets in seasoned breadcrumbs before baking or frying. Top with marinara sauce and melted cheese for a classic Chicken Parmesan.
2. Breaded Fish or Seafood:
   • Dip fish fillets or shrimp in breadcrumbs before frying or baking. It creates a crispy coating while keeping the inside moist.
3. Vegetable Casseroles:
   • Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top of vegetable casseroles, such as macaroni and cheese or cauliflower gratin, for a golden, crunchy crust.
4. Stuffed Mushrooms:
   • Mix breadcrumbs with herbs, cheese, and olive oil to create a stuffing for mushrooms. Bake until the breadcrumbs are golden and the mushrooms are tender.
5. Meatballs, Burger Patties and Meatloaf:
   • Add breadcrumbs to meatballs, burger patties or meatloaf mixtures to enhance texture, bulk out your beef mixture and absorb excess moisture.
6. Stuffed Capsicum/Bell Peppers:
   • Combine breadcrumbs with ground meat, rice, and seasonings to create a delicious stuffing for capsicum/bell peppers.
7. Baked Pasta Dishes:
   • Top baked pasta dishes like mac & cheese, lasagna or baked ziti with a layer of breadcrumbs for added texture and a rustic golden finish.
8. Crispy Baked Vegetables:
   • Toss vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or green beans in seasoned breadcrumbs before baking for a crispy side dish.
9. Chicken Tenders or Nuggets:
   • Coat chicken tenders or homemade chicken nuggets in breadcrumbs before baking or frying for a healthier homemade chicken version.
10. Crab/Fish Cakes:
    • Create a delicious coating for crab cakes by mixing breadcrumbs with herbs and spices. Pan-fry until golden brown for a crispy crumb.
11. Eggplant Parmesan:
    • Layer slices of eggplant with marinara sauce and mozzarella, topping each layer with breadcrumbs before baking.
12. Fried Green Tomatoes:
    • Coat green tomato slices in breadcrumbs and fry until golden brown for an American Southern-inspired entree.
13. Stuffed Chicken Breast:
    • Roll seasoned breadcrumbs with herbs into a chicken breast for a simple stuffed chicken dish.
14. Crispy Onion Rings:
    • Dip onion rings in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture before frying or baking for a classic side dish.
15. Baked Artichoke Dip:
    • Top a baked artichoke dip with breadcrumbs for added texture before baking until bubbly and golden.
16. Stuffed Roast chicken or stuffing balls:
    • Mix breadcrumbs with ingredients like sausage, herbs, and cheese to create stuffing balls or combine butter, onion, breadcrumbs, and fresh and dried herbs with plenty of salt for stuffing.

Make sure you try out my Bang Bang Chicken Bowls recipe using breadcrumbs.

Adding breadcrumbs to these recipes not only enhances the texture but also brings a depth of flavor and visual appeal to your dishes. Experiment with different types of bread, like grainy or flavored bread to level up the breadcrumbs depth of flavor.

OK, this is technically not a recipe as there are only two ingredients used, but I felt like it’s an absolute kitchen essential to share! I personally don’t like the taste of supermarket breadcrumbs, but these homemade breadcrumbs are really tasty (without any additives) and perfect for low kitchen waste (if that’s your jam). Make sure you schedule them for one of your upcoming food prep days. Check out my Food Prep Series on YouTube.