Learning how to make homemade breadcrumbs is ridiculously easy and a great reminder that fresh == flavor. The process requires only old bread and a little forethought. The resulting crumbs have texture, crunch, and a fresh flavor you'll never get out of store-bought variations. Homemade breadcrumbs can be easily adapted to fit your needs and preferences, from the type of bread you use to the addition of whatever spices, salts, or dried herbs you like best. Avoid using bread with dried fruits or nuts, as the moisture retained by the fruit may result in soft or moldy crumbs when you store them. If it’s a type of bread with small seeds (poppy, sesame, etc.) or grains on the crust feel free to use it as these will lend intriguing flavor to your crumbs.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5minutes
Total Time 5minutes
Servings 10
Author Stephanie Stiavetti
Ingredients
Old breador one of the above mentioned ingredients
Dried herbs(optional: spices, or other dry flavorings you enjoy)
Instructions
Whether you’re using a whole loaf, half loaf, or a few slices, tear the bread into 1-inch chunks. If you're using something other than bread, crumble your crumb fodder into small pieces. Set them in a bowl and tuck them away somewhere in the cupboard and let them sit for four days.
They should be perfectly stale, but not hard as rocks. Place the chunks in a food processor, 1 cup at a time (doing too much at once results in some being whizzed to powder and others not getting chopped at all). Pulse a few times, add a pinch of good quality salt and pepper, and pulse a few times more. You want the chunks to break into coarse crumbs of various sizes from larger bits to tiny grains. You do not want to pulverize your crumbs into a fine powder.
Spread the crumbs in a single layer on a baking sheet and allow to sit out overnight to let out any excess moisture.
Place the breadcrumb in an airtight container. The breadcrumbs should taste perfectly fresh for about a month.
Notes
Note: you can toss your bread crumbs with some dried herbs, ground spices, dried citrus zest, or grated hard cheese if you’d like to season them. Go crazy, have fun!