These Are the Best Substitutes for Breadcrumbs (2024)

FAQs

What is a good breadcrumb? ›

Tasters overwhelmingly preferred the fresh toasted bread crumbs in every application, praising their crisp texture and toasty flavor. Supermarket crumbs were similarly panned in every application for their gritty, sandy texture. Fresh (untoasted) crumbs and panko were suitable for some tasks but not others.

Cornmeal

It has a nice, coarse texture, reminding you of breadcrumbs when you bite it. You can use cornmeal in a variety of ways. For example, this blue cornmeal baked onion rings recipe uses cornmeal for breading. But you can just as easily turn your cornmeal into a delicious porridge or polenta.

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.

Almond flour (sometimes sold as almond meal) has a coarse texture and a nutty flavor, making it a great gluten-free substitute for bread crumbs. You can use it in meatball or meatloaf mixture, but we especially like using it to dredge meats like pork chops to create a crispy exterior.

To make fresh breadcrumbs, tear the bread into pieces and drop it into a food processor fitted with a blade. Whiz the bread in bursts until you have breadcrumbs of the size you want. If you want to make very even crumbs, push them through a coarse sieve.

Flour dredge is undoubtedly one of the most common and favorite breading for deep-fried foods. If you are fond of trying deep-fried food at home or restaurant, you must have tried flour-dredge breading. Whether frying chicken wings, fish fillets, or any other type of meat, this breading will go with any food you like.

Breadcrumb navigation gets its name from the Hansel and Gretel fairytale, in which characters create a breadcrumb trail so they can retrace their steps. However, breadcrumbs don't necessarily reflect the user's journey to the page. For example, a user may follow a direct link to the Nordstrom men's jeans page.

The Crumb: The crumb (that's baker-speak for everything inside the crust) in a good loaf should be open and airy, with no unincorporated flour. Most importantly, the crumb should look evenly airy from end to end, which tells us that the dough was appropriately aerated throughout its mass when it went into the oven.

An All Natural Panko is quickly becoming the new favorite vegan breadcrumb in professional kitchens and not just because they are vegan and clean-label – they out preform standard breadcrumbs and can be used in a wide range of applications. Replacing standard breadcrumbs with All Natural Panko is an easy solution!

I used my usual recipe, but instead of using bread crumbs, I used grits. It came out great and adds a more meat-like texture to the burgers than bread crumbs do.

Can I replace breadcrumbs with polenta? ›

You can use definitely use polenta/cornmeal for breading, but it'll tend to be noticeably more crunchy than breadcrumbs are. An obvious comparison is cornmeal fried fish. People make it multiple ways: some just dredge in cornmeal so it'll add a definite crunch, while others use a batter which will soften it up.

Oats are a great breadcrumb substitute when used as a binder in meatballs or meatloaf. Try them in one of Ree Drummond's favorite recipes: BBQ comfort meatballs. Just keep in mind that they don't add much flavor, so if you're using them in a recipe that calls for breadcrumbs, you may need to add extra seasoning.

Crushed Chips Or Pretzels

Look to your pantry for that bag of chip crumbs no one will eat. They are perfect for when you need to substitute in a pinch. They're crispy and crunchy and add lots of texture to a dish. Flavored chips may also add zing to your topping.

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.

Fresh or Stale Bread

The next best thing to a bag of breadcrumbs? Actual bread! If you have stale bread, or fresh bread that you're willing to toast, you can easily make your own crumbs as a great sub for store-bought ones. If using fresh bread, on a sheet tray, toast slices at 300°F until dry, about 15 minutes.

Oats are a great breadcrumb substitute when used as a binder in meatballs or meatloaf. Try them in one of Ree Drummond's favorite recipes: BBQ comfort meatballs. Just keep in mind that they don't add much flavor, so if you're using them in a recipe that calls for breadcrumbs, you may need to add extra seasoning.