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    Home » Whole Food Recipes » Pantry Basics Recipes

    March 15, 2019 | By Jami

    Pantry Basic: Homemade Bread Crumbs & How to Store Them

    Jump to Recipe

    Use up your odds and ends of bread pieces, stale crackers, and more by making homemade bread crumbs. In just a few minutes, you can have a jar of bread crumbs ready to be seasoned or use as-is in your favorite recipe. Find out what to make them with, how to make them, and how to store them - here's your bread crumb 101!

    Pantry Basic Homemade Bread Crumbs for freezer

    Some links in this article are affiliate links and if you click on them and purchase I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

    Do you make your own bread crumbs? I confess I am guilty of buying crumbs early in my cooking journey (although I'm freely admitting that's not much of a guilt trip, ha!).

    In fact, I remember when my son was small and my mother-in-law came over and said she was shocked to see the store-bought bread crumbs in the fridge. In my defense, no one I knew growing up made their own crumbs (that I can remember), plus I didn't have a food processor, and the cheap blender we owned simply whirred the bread pieces around in the container, staying almost the same size (yep, it was really cheap).

    When I did need some for a recipe, I was reduced to smashing them with a rolling pin in a baggie. Have you ever tried to coat chicken with bread chunks? Yeah, not quite the same. And so there was a container of store-bought crumbs in my refrigerator.

    But of course the more I made things for myself, the more I wanted none of it to go to waste. The ends of 100% whole wheat sandwich bread, toast no one ate, the last part of a whole wheat roll from days before - even half a sleeve of stale crackers that I didn't make. I soon didn't want any of it to be thrown out. The answer, obviously, was to get a food processor.

    What is the best tool for making bread crumbs?

    When I finally did get a processor, it was a $30 model because if you just want to make crumbs (and homemade pesto) they should all be able to do that, right? Wrong. It was loud and made chunks the size of gravel. Sheesh, I had managed to do that with my rolling pin.

    A few years later I coughed up $50 for a "name brand" model (which shall remain nameless, though it starts with a K and ends with an S...). This time the "crumbs" were the size of rock salt, but they were a little more usable, so I stuck with this for a few years because I had paid $50 for it. However, I had to make my pesto in a blender because this processor left large pieces of basil in the pesto, which kind of looked like we were spreading grass mixed with oil on our bread. #kitchenissues

    Then one day I watched a cooking show where they made bread crumbs with this:

    cuisinart classic food processor

    Cuisinart 7-cup Food Processor
     

    And my food processing life was never the same.

    The chef simply put the torn bread pieces in the machine, turned it on for a few seconds and, voila! The most beautiful, fine, crumbs - just like the ones I used to buy. Ah - it could be done at home! I saved up for the "real" thing and when I made crumbs with it for the first time? Success! Finally.

    Apparently the right tool can make the difference. So I recommend the same 7-cup model Cuisinart I bought, but you can certainly buy a bigger model if you need it. I like this size as it seems the most flexible to me- not to big and unwieldy, but not too small, either.

    What about using a blender?

    In the years since this article was first published, a whole new selection of professional blenders have become available for reasonable prices. I now also have a Ninja Blender (and it's not even the most expensive) that will make fine bread crumbs unlike my previous blenders. So if you have a good-quality blender, use it!

    So, on to making bread crumbs - now that I'm an expert crumb maker and all.

    What can I use for homemade bread crumbs?

    Baked goods for bread crumbs

    You can use literally any type of bread product to make crumbs with. If you are wanting gluten free crumbs, stick with those types of baked products. TIP: You can even make grain-free 'crumbs' by using processed nuts and seasonings!

    Here are just some of the things you can use to make bread crumbs:

    • Any stale pieces of bread left in packages.
    • Baking mistakes like the rolls pictured above - while they look perfectly fine, I forgot the salt. And let me tell you, forgetting salt in homemade bread is a big deal. Who would've thought a little salt could make something edible or not? But I made it so it wasn't going to be thrown out - I just stuck it in the freezer until it was time to make bread crumbs.
    • The bread ends no one in the family really likes.
    • Opened crackers that have been in the cupboard who knows how long. Stale crackers are fine in crumbs.
    • You can even make crumbs from a cereal you tried but didn't like - use them in fruit crisp toppings (actually, that should really be, "the kids didn't like" and probably because it was a "healthy" cereal, ha!). Make sure to package them separately, though with a nice, big, "For Crisps" label, because cinnamon in your Parmesan Rice Cakes would not be so great.

    TIP: My biggest tip to easily keep these odds and ends for bread crumbs ready without having to stop and make crumbs for every little piece of bread you have left over is:

    Keep a container in the door of the kitchen freezer that you can throw bread ends and pieces in whenever you have them. When the container is full or you need them for a recipe, they are ready to be turned into crumbs!

    How to Make Homemade Bread Crumbs

    making homemade bread crumbs in processor

    To make crumbs, you just do two steps - and maybe three.

    Step 1. Break up the pieces of bread and toss into the food processor bowl and add any other bread items you've got saved up. I don't even defrost the bread if it's frozen before I whir it up!

    homemade bread crumbs in processor

    Step 2. Whir the pieces until finely and evenly chopped. Isn't this a beautiful thing? These are some nice crumbs!

    Step 3 (optional). Season or not. I usually leave mine unseasoned because I like to be able to add seasoning, if needed, according to the recipe I'm going to use (like the parmesan, herbs, and garlic used in the topping of this yummy fish recipe).

    If you do want to add basic seasoning, similar to Italian seasoned bread crumbs, add the following ingredients to the processor and pulse to distribute:

    • 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper
    • 1/2 teaspoon each onion and garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
    • 1/2 teaspoon basil, oregano, and/or thyme (you can add just one or 1/2 teaspoon of each, it's up to you)

    How to Store Bread Crumbs

    Homemade Bread crumbs in glass jars

    Store the crumbs in a freezer-safe container or bag labeled with the date (and if they are seasoned). You can store them in the refrigerator for a few months, but keeping them in the freezer will get you the longest storage.

    They last in the freezer, well, I've never actually had them go bad, but I hesitate to say forever. How about we say a long time?

    Recipes that Use Bread Crumbs:

    • Baked White Fish with Parmesan-Herb Crust
    • Parmesan Rice Cakes (with or without the crumbs, actually)
    • Baked Maple Mustard Chicken (my kid's favorite!)
    • Easy Slow Cooker Cassoulet (top and broil in oven right before serving for a more authentic cassoulet)
    Homemade Bread crumbs in glass jars
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Homemade Bread Crumbs (+ Seasoned Option)

    Use up your odds and ends of bread pieces and more by making homemade bread crumbs. In just a few minutes, you can have a jar of bread crumbs ready to be seasoned or use as-is in your favorite recipe.
    Prep Time5 mins
    processing5 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Basic Staples
    Cuisine: American
    Yield: 2 cups
    Author: Jami Boys

    Equipment

    • Food Processor

    Ingredients

    • 4-6 cups torn up bread, muffins, crackers*

    For Optional Seasoned Crumbs

    • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
    • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
    • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon each: basil, oregano, thyme or use 1½ teaspoons of just one herb

    Instructions

    • Break up the pieces of bread if you haven't already and toss them into the food processor bowl. You don't even have to defrost the bread if it's frozen before whirring it up most of the time (the exception is a hard crust from artisan bread).
    • Whir the pieces until finely and evenly chopped.
    • Store in a glass mason jar or other container in the fridge for a month or in the freezer for 6 months or more.

    Notes

    *Keep a container in the freezer to add any of these bread products to, making into crumbs when you have enough:
    • Any stale pieces of bread left in packages.
    • Baking mistakes like rolls, toast, muffins.
    • The bread ends no one in the family really likes.
    • Opened crackers that have been in the cupboard who knows how long. Stale crackers are fine in crumbs.
    Also: You can make crumbs from a cereal you tried but didn't like or has gone stale and use them in fruit crisp toppings - just make sure to package & label them separately.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 392mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @anoregoncottage or tag #anoregoncottage!

    For even more ideas to use bread crumbs, here's an article about 15 Ways Breadcrumbs Can Improve A Dish.

    How to make bread crumbs in a processor

    I've found I love having homemade bread crumbs in the freezer and am glad I'm not stuck having to buy them again.

    What about you - do you make bread crumbs?

    Homemade Bread Crumbs in glass jars

    This how-to kitchen tip has been updated - it was originally published in July 2009.

     

    Disclosure: affiliate links in this article will earn commission based on sales, but it doesn't change your price. Click here to read my full disclaimer and advertising disclosure.

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    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sandy says

      March 12, 2021 at 1:53 pm

      5 stars
      I used older keto bread for crumbs so that I don’t have to use the unhealthy stuff, like shake and bake.

      Reply
      • Jami says

        March 15, 2021 at 12:57 pm

        Great tip - thanks, Sandy!

        Reply
    2. Jennifer de Vries says

      May 25, 2020 at 10:53 am

      5 stars
      I'm sorry but why did it take so long for this lady to figure out how to make bread crumbs? I bought a $20 food processor second hand off Kijiji that is extremely old and I could make bread crumbs of that consistency without second thought. Maybe it was easy for me because I have only attempted with homemade bread which when stale crumbles easily?

      Reply
      • Jami says

        May 25, 2020 at 12:51 pm

        Well, obviously you found a better cheap food processor than I did, lol.

        Reply
    3. Jeanette says

      July 05, 2014 at 4:27 pm

      That's what I was hoping to hear. Awesome!

      Reply
    4. Jeanette says

      July 03, 2014 at 3:24 pm

      So excited to never again buy breadcrumbs. I know they were easy to make, but storing them was always my issue. So when you store in the freezer, how do you prep them before use in recipes?

      Reply
      • Jami says

        July 04, 2014 at 9:12 pm

        I actually just scoop them from the freezer bag to whatever bowl or thing I need them in - I don't defrost or anything and it works great, Jeanette!

        Reply
    5. [email protected] An Oregon Cottage says

      May 06, 2010 at 3:54 am

      Kelly- I am SO glad to hear your idea of using your day-old bread to make bread crumbs! Yes, I hate to think of all the bread being thrown away (was there no mission or charity to donate them to?), so I'm happy to be a small part of your solution. 🙂 Good Luck!

      Reply
    6. Kelly says

      May 06, 2010 at 3:18 am

      Hi, I am so glad that I just read about making bread crumbs. You will cringe when I tell you what I am about to tell you. My husband and I have owned a pizza shop for over twenty years. We make our own homemade bread for our "Grinders," which is another name for a hoagie, but much better. Sometimes, we throw away as many as twenty 12" loaves a day because they are not good the next day. Thanks to you, we have decided to make our own bread crumbs and sell them for a very reasonable price, which is still better than throwing them away! thank you so much,
      Kelly Cordon
      Clearfield, PA

      Reply
    7. Jami @An Oregon Cottage says

      January 11, 2010 at 4:55 pm

      Mirawyn- You sure have wonderful in-laws! To get the mixer AND an attachment- wow. I've never had an attachment in all the years I've owned one. This Christmas we bought an ice cream maker, though, does that count? 🙂 Nice to know the shredder works for crumbs, too.

      Reply
    8. Mirawyn says

      January 10, 2010 at 5:37 am

      I've been making bread crumbs in my food processor for the last year. This Christmas, my in-laws bought me a KitchenAid mixer! I didn't even ask for one, but my father-in-law has strong KitchenAid convictions. 🙂

      They also bought me the rotor slicer-shredder attachment, because they heard me say I wanted to make pickles come summer. Today, I used it to make bread crumbs with leftover stale bread from my second-ever homemade bread experiment. It was so easy, and I love the results!

      It's well worth it! I can't wait to use them.

      Reply
    9. Jami @ An Oregon Cottage says

      September 23, 2009 at 4:52 am

      Glad you found me, Laura and with a good tip, too! Now if my husband would ever let me near his coffee grinder...

      Reply
    10. Laura says

      September 21, 2009 at 12:02 am

      Just found your blog, and I've really been enjoying reading through your archives. We use a coffee grinder to make bread crumbs--once the bread is stale, it's easy just to process a few ends at a time if you don't have a whole loaf ready to go. I have a food processor now, but using the coffee grinder for small batches is much easier, for me, than hauling out the food processor, blades, etc. Anyway, thanks for all the great tips! 🙂

      Reply
    11. Jami @ An Oregon Cottage says

      August 07, 2009 at 3:33 am

      Wow, Niki, my mini chopper barely chops nuts for me - you've got a good one!

      Prudent Homemaker- I have not found that they chop evenly - they dice very finely (with liquid) which I like for salsa and such. It comes with a slicing blade, though, that does a nice job, although the veggie has to be cut to fit in the chute.

      I do use mine for pie crusts, too!

      Reply
    12. Your Frugal Friend, Niki says

      August 03, 2009 at 1:17 pm

      I have a $5 mini chopper and use it to make my crumbs. Perfection every single time!

      I cannot believe I ever used to buy bread crumbs.

      🙂

      Reply
    13. Kathryn says

      August 01, 2009 at 4:41 pm

      Cuisenarts also make great pie crusts.

      Reply
    14. The Prudent Homemaker says

      August 01, 2009 at 3:51 pm

      Does this food processor also chop? Say, if you wanted to have diced (or sliced) pieces of bell pepper, could it do that?

      I have held off on buying a food processor because I have heard that some won't do this. I know my blender won't do anything dry.

      Reply
    15. Rachel says

      August 01, 2009 at 5:05 am

      Thanks so much for posting this and all the advise on processors. I was afraid to try one for $50 and not have it work for what I needed. Good luck on your garage sale!
      Thanks again,
      Rachel

      Reply

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