Don’t let leftover bread go to waste! Learn how to make bread crumbs from scratch. Use them as a crunchy topping, coating, or mix-in for dishes like breaded chicken, casseroles, or meatballs.
Homemade bread crumbs are a breeze to make! I always find myself with a few straggling slices of bread or chunks from a loaf that my family didn’t gobble up with the previous night’s dinner. Not to let perfectly good food go to waste, I give them an even tastier new purpose by making bread crumbs that can add an extra layer of texture to any dish.
Any type of bread can be used, and even a mixture would give an interesting taste. I’ve found that homemade bread crumbs have much more flavor than the store-bought stuff which can be bland and uninteresting. Plus you can control how big you want the size of the crumbs and any seasonings to bump up the taste. Use this recipe as a guide then experiment with fun combinations!
How to make bread crumbs
- Grind down bread in the food processor.
- Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 300ºF (149ºC) for 10 minutes.
- Stir and bake until lightly toasted and dry.
- Completely cool down on the baking sheet.
What type of bread do you use for bread crumbs?
Depending on the taste and nutritional composition you desire, bread crumbs can be made with any kind of bread. Sourdough, gluten-free, low carb, whole wheat, white, whole grain, French, hamburger or hot dog buns, are all great choices. Rustic type bread will give more dense crumbs compared to enriched bread like white sandwich slices or buns.
Fresh bread vs older bread
It’s best to use bread that is not baked fresh the same day. If allowed to dry out and harden for a few days at room temperature it will make it easier to break down in the food processor. If you do have fresh bread, you can cut it into slices and heat it in a toaster or in the oven at 300ºF (149ºC) to drive off some of the moisture for a few minutes, and then cool before using.
Do you need to cut off the crust?
No, the crust can be kept on. If you want a more uniform color, trim off the darker edges. I’ve been keeping a collection of my son’s peanut butter and jelly sandwich edges to save for bread crumb making. The crust actually has a lot of flavor due to Maillard browning!
How do you make the bread crumbs smaller?
The food processor does a good job of making mini crumbs, but it’s not as fine as store-bought. After drying the bread crumbs and cooling them, just add them back to the food processor and pulse until the desired size is reached. You can also pound them inside a plastic bag with a rolling pin.
How do you make bread crumbs without a food processor?
If you don’t have a food processor to break the bread into smaller pieces before baking, you can alternatively cut the bread into ¾-inch cubes, or tear into small bits. Stir and bake until the bread is dry and lightly toasted. This process is similar to making croutons. After the bread crumbs are cool, add them to a large resealable bag that is partially sealed. Carefully use a rolling pin to crush the toasted bread into tiny crumbs.
Can you use frozen bread?
Yes, frozen bread can be stored for later use. Simply defrost completely on the countertop before processing. I like to place the bread on a sheet pan on top of a paper towel to absorb any excess water. If the bread still feels too damp, you can toast the bread or heat in the oven before using, similar to fresh bread.
Storing
Transfer bread crumbs to an airtight container, minimizing the headspace of air. You can also place them in a resealable plastic bag and place that in a container. The barrier ensures that natural moisture in the air will not stale the bread crumbs too quickly. Stored at room temperature they will last for up to 1 month, or up to 3 months if frozen.
How to make Italian bread crumbs
Italian bread crumbs are a mixture of savory seasonings and dried herbs:
- 1 cup of homemade bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Feel free to adjust the level of seasonings. If you don’t have a pre-blend of Italian seasoning, you can use dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, sage, and marjoram in any consistency you desire.
More bread recipes
Recipe Science
Why should you grind the bread to smaller pieces before baking?
It’s all about increasing the surface area to efficiently remove as much moisture as possible. By cutting into tiny pieces, the heat from the oven can quickly drive off the internal water in the structure of the crumb. A moderate oven temperature above the boiling point of water (300 degrees) gently evaporates moisture while lightly browning and toasting.
Homemade Bread Crumbs
Ingredients
- 4 ounces bread, (4 cups cubed) cut into 1-inch cubes
Instructions
- Set the oven rack to the center position. Preheat to 300ºF (149ºC).
- Add cubed bread into a food processor. Process on high speed for 30 seconds for coarse bread crumbs, or 1 minute for fine bread crumbs.
- Transfer to a large sheet pan or two small pans. Spread evenly in a single layer in the pan.
- Bake for 5 minutes, stir and then bake another 5 minutes. The bread crumbs should be lightly browned and feel dry to the touch.
- Bake another 2 to 5 minutes as needed to make to completely dry.
- Allow bread crumbs to cool on the sheet pan for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Transfer to an airtight container to store.
- For even finer bread crumbs, add to the food processor and pulse until the desired size is reached.
Equipment
Notes
- Recipe Yield: 2 cups of bread crumbs.
- Italian bread crumbs: Combine 1 cup baked and cooled breadcrumbs with ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder, ⅛ teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Merrilene A Pierce-Reece says
Not everyone has a food processor. Any other recommendations?
Jessica Gavin says
You can toast the slice of bread first, let it dry and cool completely, then crush the breadcrumbs in a plastic bag. Or you can tear the bread into small pieces, then bread it down more after toasting.
Anne says
So easy and a huge cost savings. The recipe also has a Italian variation which was great for me. We have garlic allergy in our family. Store bought is not an option. This is, sans garlic powder. Thank you!!
Jessica Gavin says
Thrilled to hear that you found the bread crumb recipe versatile and easy to make for your dietary needs!
Kelly M says
Do I dry the bread out prior to adding to the food processor or is it just straight from the bag?
Jessica Gavin says
You can add the bread straight to the food processor, then you dry the breadcrumbs on the baking sheet in the oven.
Sarah Vishevnik says
How long will these keep outside of the fridge?
Jessica Gavin says
Stored at room temperature they will last for up to 1 month, or up to 3 months if frozen.
Bloodthirsty Vegan says
Thank you Jessica. Our GreenChef order of “Breaded Cauliflower Tacos” (delicious), delivered w/o the breadcrumbs. Fortunately we had a small ciabatta in the freezer. Meal prep saved.
Jessica Gavin says
Whoo-hoo! So happy to help!
Al says
For the Italian version… do you add the salt and spices before or after baking?
Ally says
The directions say to use baked and cooled bread crumbs, so they’re already baked and you would season them after you’ve cooked them.
Kylee says
How long do you think I can keep these on the shelf for?
Thanks for sharing this process!
I’ve been saving the ends of my sourdough loaves in the freezer ro be able to make breadcrumbs.
Jessica Gavin says
The bread crumbs can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for at least 1 month.
Samantha Reyes says
Thanks for the simple instructions! I made some with an old load I have. I have a food processor but didn’t feel like bothering with it so I went the alternative method. They came out great! I will be making mozzarella sticks and don’t feel like buying bread crumbs for 1 recipe, so this was perfect.
Jessica Gavin says
Great job! Yes, baking the bread is always a great first step if you don’t feel like putting it in the food processor first.
VTak says
Found this recipe when I wanted to use up the rest of a pain de mie loaf I had. Worked perfectly even though I only had enough bread to make a cup of crumbs. They look identical to the store bought breadcrumbs I have in my cupboard. Simple instructions that help cut down on food waste & grocery expenses, don’t think it gets much better than that.
Jessica Gavin says
Glad to hear that you found my bread crumb recipe helpful! What will you make with it?
Mark M says
No BS, simple, straight to the point. Perfect. Thank you
Jessica Gavin says
You’re welcome!
Jackie w says
Is it possible to freeze the. Crumbs after?
Katrina S. says
You can! Make sure they are super dry, as any moisture Cause ice crystals. To dry them out I put them in the oven said about 150 for up to 30 mins. I store mine in a double ziplock bag w- all of the air pushed out. After first 20 mins of being in the freezer, I pull the bag out an give it a little shake, breaking any clumps up (hack I found on tan other site).
Katherine A Dietz says
Hi Jessica I left you a question on your meatball recipe on Sunday along with a note about not receiving secret #1 I really want to finish making the meatballs before my meat spoils please reply soon.
Thanks
Katherine
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Katherine! I replied to you a few days ago in the comments on the recipes you wrote on. Hope that helps!
Katherine A Dietz says
In the 2 places in the breadcrumb seasoning recipe you list 2 different amounts for the onion powder is it 1/2 tsp or 1/8 tsp?
Thanks
Also I got the 2nd secret but not the first can you resend?
Katherine
Jessica Gavin says
Sorry for the confusion, Katherine! Please use the amounts of onion powder in the recipe card, 1/8 teaspoon.
Linda says
I make a loaf of homemade bread every 2 – 3 days. This is a great reference for turning the heals of the bread into crumbs. I then in turn make my own shake and bake. As my grandmother always said, “waste not, want not.”
Jessica Gavin says
Your grandma is very wise! Great job making something into a brand new exciting meal!
JUDY M LASTER says
My husband and I are doing Keto and the almond flour just isn’t the same when frying. I got some day-old keto bread at the store this morning and I’m anxious to try the crumbs. Thanks.
Jessica Gavin says
Let me know how the keto bread crumbs turn out!
Sarah says
I was planning to make meatballs and realized I didn’t have breadcrumbs! Used this recipe to make my own and it came out perfectly. 5 stars!
Jessica Gavin says
Yay! Great job improvising, Sarah!
Susie says
Making bread crumbs is one of those things that felt like it should’ve been intuitive, and I’m sure many grandma’s would laugh at me for not being able to figure it out on my own. But, it was so nice having directions. Knowing even something as simple as what temp to set the oven to makes a difference. I probably would’ve done 375 and had some very overly toasted bread crumbs!
This was much quicker and pain free. I have been baking sourdough bread now that my starter is up to snuff…but not always eating entire loaves of bread. So now I have a solution. This week I’ll make meatballs, and the breadcrumbs will be put to good use!
Jessica Gavin says
I’m glad to hear that this bread crumb guide helped you, Susie! Sourdough bread crumbs in meatballs sound divine.
Nana Carol says
And I messed up my post. I’m a mess!!!
Nana Carol says
I ran out of bread crumbs while making oven fried chicken legs. I toasted e the toast in small pieces and ran it through my processor. Then I Googled and found your recipe. I’m going to put my crumbs in the oven and see if I can save them!!!I usually do things backwards!!!
Aiden glasscock says
It’s worked perfectly ?
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you for your feedback, Aiden! What will you be using the bread crumbs for?
Holly H says
I added sea salt, garlic powder, and Penzey’s Fox Point seasoning for an Italian-ish flavor. Total of 30 minutes in the oven, and they look amazing. Thank you!
Jessica Gavin says
Love the seasoning blend, Holly!
Fe says
Very useful in my cooking!
Amy says
Thanks for this simple but necessary recipe! I made my own bread crumbs for the first time from some italian bread I made that turned out kind of lousy. I tried to think of how to make bread crumbs and I’m glad I google searched because, left to my own devices, I was going to toast it all first and then crumble it- which would have been a much messier and less efficient operation! I did exactly as you instructed and everything came out great. I added the seasonings for italian style and used them to bread fish fillets the same night.
Jessica Gavin says
Wow, great job Amy. Now you are a breadcrumb pro!
Carl S. says
My Vitamix with the dry container attachment, turned three Pepperidge Farm Potato Hamburger Buns into a course powder.
I think I could have baked the crumbs a few minutes more, but I’m using them today to help bind a single grind course hamburger mix that I made with an equal mix of Short Ribs, Brisket and Sirloin, so I think the 10 minutes works just fine.
The crumbs worked well as a binder, with an egg.
The burgers tasted like Victory.
Jeannette Green says
Dave’s Killer Breads are my favorites with Good Seed in the yellow wrapper being especially delicious. I think it would make wonderful crumbs and will try it with your method. Thanks. Don’t think you covered soft bread crumbs for things like meatloaf. I presume its as easy as doing the crumbs in the food processor and stopping at that point. I have done that in years past when I am making something calling for a small amount of soft bread crumbs, even using a hand grater to crumb up the bread. I
Jessica Gavin says
I’ll have to try the bread, it sounds delicious! You can definitely add a few slices in a food processor to make soft bread crumbs.
Rebecca Noonan says
I was getting tired of the saltiness of commercial bread crumbs and how these bread crumbs were drying out any breaded foods I was making. Then, I found this recipe and after cutting up and toasting some Ezekiel bread I had on hand, I was on my way to creating the most heavenly bread crumbs. When I used these bread crumbs in my chickpea meatballs, they achieved exactly the texture I was looking for. My finished product was moist with a slightly nutty flavor, and the suggested flavorings for the Italian style bread crumbs were on point. I will be turning to this recipe again and again whenever bread crumbs are called for in a recipe.
Jessica Gavin says
I loved that you used Ezekiel bread, I’ll have to try that to make super flavorful bread crumbs. Great job!
Jeanne Wocking says
Just made bread crumbs from Everything Deli bread. Wow! The difference from store bought is amazing. Thank you.
This ‘stay at home’ rule has its benefits. Old gal is learning new cooking tricks thanks to you.
Cathy says
What if you toasted the bread before you put it in the food processor
Jessica Gavin says
You could do toast the bread first but make sure it’s completely cooled. From there you can see if you need to dry the breadcrumbs out on a sheet pan a bit more.
Maurice Eddy says
Interesting that you say don’t use frozen bread to make in the food processor. I always use frozen bread or freeze it first. Chops up more evenly and quicker.
Jessica Gavin says
Great tip Maurice! I’ll have to try frozen bread next time.
Mandy says
I saw a recipe for veggie burgers and started to ignore it because it included commercial panko crumbs, which I consider off limits. Well, duh, wonder if I can make my own out of an acceptable bread and here we are!! How simple is this? Thanks.
Lisa B. says
If it’s an unsliced loaf, ir something like hamburger or hot dog rolls, I freeze the bread and then grate it on the large holes of a cheese grater. You get pretty uniform crumbs that way.
Jessica Gavin says
What a great tip for making bread crumbs Lisa!
Mary says
How long do the bread crumbs last? Can they be frozen? Is there some trick to keeping them fresh longer?
Jessica Gavin says
They last at least 1 month at room temperature in an airtight container. Yes, you can freeze the crumbs and that should last a few months!
janet davis says
I have the same problem. Finding them in store without milk. I started making bread again from scratch and it didn’t get done so I cubed them and baked them. Then used your recipe. It turned out great for my eggplant.
Justin Smith says
One other thing you could mention in this article regarding why it is worth it to make your own breadcrumbs: Almost all store-bought breadcrumbs contain dairy (usually whey) for someone reason I can’t figure out, and it makes them off-limits for people with one of the most common food allergies. By making them yourself, you avoid this problem.
Rachel says
Can the breadcrumbs be frozen and how long do they last in a sealed container?
Meaghan says
I was looking for the answer to this question, too. A Google search returned this:
For homemade breadcrumbs, the general rule is that they keep fresh for up to 2 weeks in the pantry, a month to two months in the fridge, and about 6 months in the freezer.
But I would rather hear it from ppl personally and their experiences! Seems safe in fridge for about a month and I think it would be worth freezing just not sure how it would affect taste.
Jessica Gavin says
Thanks for the info, Meaghan! I have found that at least 2 weeks and up to 4 weeks in the pantry. You can definitely freeze for several months, I think 6 would be ok but may start picking up freezer smells over time. I don’t recommend refrigerating the breadcrumbs because the humidity will make them soggy over time.
Charlotte says
I seasoned mine with a little olive oil and herbs beforehand. They weren’t done after 15 min so I cooked them 10 more. Stirring. They were very crunchy. The larger pieces were little rocks. So I will probably grind them some more and strain the big pieces out. These were made from H-E-B “Bare Bread”
Wanda says
Hi Charlotte instead maybe spray cookie sheet lighty bake at 300f. 8-10mins cool spray with olive oil add seasoning..