It happens to virtually every cook: In the middle of making a meat loaf or breaded chicken recipe, you need bread crumbs, so you grab that box from your well-stocked pantry and pour, only to discover hardly anything is left. Rest easy; you can keep cooking without an urgent grocery store run by using a bread crumb substitute from our list of options.
Or perhaps you're putting together your grocery list and looking for a bread crumb substitute that fits your gluten-free lifestyle; we have swaps for that too. No matter the reason you're seeking a replacement for bread crumbs in a recipe, there's an alternative that's likely already in your kitchen.
Bread Crumb Substitutes
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:
¼ cup crushed cornflakes or other unsweetened cereals
⅔ 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 casserole toppings and breadings.)
Remember, you can always make bread crumbs at home if you've got bread on hand. And if you're seeking a healthy bread crumb substitute, make some from whole wheat or whole grain bread, or use crushed bran flakes cereal.
Use equal amounts of any unsweetened crushed gluten-free cereal. 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's still gluten.
Use equal amounts of gluten-free cracker crumbs.
Tip
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 ($4, 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
You'll need to make these; there aren't any products to purchase. They're 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.
Panko
Panko crumbs are light and crisp with a coarser texture than fine, dry crumbs. These crumbs work as a bread crumb substitute in most recipes that call for bread crumbs: toppings, coatings, and mixing in.
It's best not to use flour instead of breadcrumbs. While you can use flour to coat chicken, it won't have the crisp texture that breadcrumbs or an alternative can provide. Don't use flour as a binder in meatballs because the mixture will become paste-like.
It's best not to use flour instead of breadcrumbs. While you can use flour to coat chicken, it won't have the crisp texture that breadcrumbs or an alternative can provide. Don't use flour as a binder in meatballs because the mixture will become paste-like.
There are several alternatives you can use, such as crushed cornflakes, crushed crackers, panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, or even ground nuts like almonds or pecans. These alternatives can provide different flavors and textures to your breaded chicken.
Riced cauliflower is a good low-carb, grain-free, nut-free, and gluten-free alternative to regular breadcrumbs. "It's perfect in making things like crusted chicken, fritters, chicken nuggets, and other fried dishes.
Breadcrumbs for meatloaf are used to absorb the juices and keep them in the meat while it cooks so that it stays moist; without the breadcrumbs, the meat would dry out in the oven. Breadcrumbs also add to the meatloaf's tender texture so it's more than a giant seasoned hamburger when you pull it out of the oven.
If a recipe for meatloaf or meatballs calls for bread crumbs, you may have success swapping it out for rolled oats or oat flour. Oats by weight are also lower in calories, provide more complex carbohydrates, and are a richer source of dietary fiber than bread crumbs, making them a nutritionally sound substitute.
Milk or Buttermilk, Yogurt, Mayonnaise, Vegetable or Chicken broth, Oil, and Mashed Potatoes are some alternatives that can be used instead of eggs in breading or flouring meat.
Almond flour has a nutty taste and a course texture, which makes it an easy sub for bread crumbs. It's also gluten-free, so if you have a sensitivity or diet need, this is a great option. "It's used in a lot of keto recipes as a sub for breadcrumbs," Xie said, adding that it'll work as a binder or a topping.
Flour: The flour acts as a barrier between the fat in the pan and the moisture in the chicken breast. Eggs: Or brush on mayonnaise or olive oil to help the breading stick.
To make this glue, whisk eggs and flour together in a ratio of 1 large egg to 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour. This creates the exact same coating you would get from dredging the chicken into flour first and then beaten eggs, but you throw out a lot less unused egg and flour afterward.
Filler ingredients like breadcrumbs or flour are important too because they stop the meatballs becoming dry. The breadcrumbs absorb the juices from the meat as it cooks, trapping them within the meatball. Again quantity is important here; too much and your meatball will be more like stuffing or a dumpling.
Breadcrumbs are thicker and gives the food a crunchy texture, flour breading gives you a smoother softer crust. Better to make your breading with Almond meal, it's healthier and yummy!
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