Last Updated on August 30, 2016 by Diane Hoffmaster
I use breadcrumbs in a lot of recipes. They are great for coating chicken breast before baking, topping a homemade macaroni and cheese or adding a bit of bulk to homemade meatballs. I admit, I have been known to buy the good old store bought breadcrumbs in the paper canister when I am in a hurry. Homemade breadcrumbs are really easy to make and I am trying to save all those bits and pieces of leftover bread in the freezer so I can make them more often. When you are making homemade breadcrumbs, you can control the ingredients. You get to decide how much salt to put in there (or none at all!) and whether your homemade breadcrumbs are made from white bread or whole wheat.
There are a few things you need for your homemade breadcrumb project besides the bread. A sharp knife (if you are using a solid loaf), a cookie sheet, and a food processor are all key ingredients for making your own breadcrumbs. If you want to make Italian flavored breadcrumbs, add Italian seasonings and garlic salt to your final bread crumbs before storing. These homemade breadcrumbs should be stored in a tightly sealed container at room temperature and used within 6 months. I find that a strong food processor is a must in the kitchen and it certainly comes in handy for this project!
How to Make Homemade Breadcrumbs
Step One: Tear or cut your bread into small pieces.
Step Two: Place your pieces of bread on a cookie sheet
Step Three: Place the cookie sheet into the oven and bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes. Turn them over and bake another 10 minutes or until they are dry and break apart easily.
Step Four: Let the bread cool to room temperature
Step Five: Place the bread chunks into the food processor fitted with a sharp blade. Pulse on high until bread crumbs are desired texture.
Step Six: Add seasonings to your homemade breadcrumbs if desired. Store in airtight container for up to 6 months
Have you ever made homemade breadcrumbs? What do you use them on?
We always make our own breadcrumbs. It’s so much better than store bought!
What a great idea, I could use this in my meatloaf recipe.
I don’t think I’ve ever made my own breadcrumbs. Need to try it with a gluten free bread!
Great idea!
Thanks! They look super easy to make and this is perfect for when I have left over bread from pasta night!
Agreed! I store it in the freezer til I need it!
Great post, I need to try this, it would save me so much money. I just throw out old pieces anyway!! Gah!
WHY have I not made these before? That is SO easy, why do I waste money? Thanks!
And I like that I can limit the salt. With the husbands blood pressure issues, salt is always a concern!
Yum sounds like a great recipe!! I will have to try this out!!
That does sound easy and well worth doing. This way you can make it taste the way you want it to taste. I can omit the onion powder so my husband can enjoy it too. Thanks.