Transform stale bread into golden, crisp Homemade Breadcrumbs with just a few simple steps. You can season them with garlic powder or dried herbs for extra flavor, then bake or toast until perfectly dry. This zero-waste trick is perfect for elevating weeknight dinners, coating chicken, or topping casseroles with a crunchy finish you just can’t get from store-bought versions.
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Ingredients for Homemade Breadcrumbs
- Stale Bread – Day-old bread works best here, but any sturdy loaf will do. Avoid anything too soft or fresh—it won’t crisp up properly.
- Olive Oil – A good drizzle adds richness and helps the seasonings stick.
- Kosher Salt – Essential for bringing out all the flavors. Skip the table salt—it’s just not the same.
- Garlic Powder – Trust me, fresh garlic burns too easily. The powder gives the perfect mellow kick.
- Black Pepper – Freshly ground is ideal for the brightest, peppery punch.
Cook Time for Homemade Breadcrumbs from scratch
Here’s the beautiful part, friends: making Homemade Breadcrumbs is one of the quickest kitchen projects you can tackle. The hands-on time is minimal, and the reward is that crispy baked coating from leftover bread we all love. This timeline is based on the baking method, which I find gives the most consistent results.
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Prep Time (Cubing & Seasoning) | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time (Baking) | 20 minutes |
| Cooling Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 40 minutes |
If you’re short on time, you can also make an easy no-bake garnish from stale loaf by toasting the cubes in a dry skillet. For another great way to transform bread, check out my recipe for soft dinner rolls.
How to Make Homemade Breadcrumbs for chicken
This method is my go-to for creating the perfect Homemade Breadcrumbs for coating chicken cutlets or baking into a savory seasoned topping for casseroles. It’s a simple process, but a few key steps make all the difference.
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. This low and slow temperature is the secret to drying the bread out without burning it.
Step 2: Toss with Goodness
In a large bowl, combine the 1-inch bread cubes, olive oil, kosher salt, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper, tossing thoroughly until the bread cubes are evenly coated. Getting every cube glossy with oil is what guarantees an even, golden toast.
Step 3: Spread Evenly
Spread the seasoned bread cubes in a single, even layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not overlapping. Crowding the pan will steam the bread instead of toasting it.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, stirring the cubes halfway through, until they are completely dry, crisp, and golden brown. You’ll know they’re ready when they feel light and sound hollow when tapped.
Step 5: Cool Completely
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the toasted bread cubes to cool completely on the sheet for about 10 minutes. This step is non-negotiable—processing warm bread can create steam and lead to a gummy texture.
Step 6: Pulse to Your Perfect Texture
Transfer the cooled bread cubes to a food processor and pulse in short bursts until the desired texture is achieved, ranging from coarse crumbs to a fine powder. For a toasted breadcrumb crust with garlic, you can pulse it a bit coarser.
Pro Tips & Tasty Tweaks
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that take these Homemade Breadcrumbs from good to “can’t-stop-sprinkling” great. Here are my favorite ways to customize them for any dish, from my best burger recipe to a simple pasta bake.
- Flavor Swap: Swap the garlic powder for a teaspoon of my all-purpose seasoning for an instant flavor boost. Smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne are also wonderful additions.
- Diet Tweaks: For a lighter version, you can skip the oil and simply bake the dry bread cubes. The crumbs will be a bit less rich but still perfectly crispy.
- Texture Fix: If you don’t have a food processor, no worries! Place the cooled, toasted cubes in a sturdy zip-top bag and roll them with a rolling pin until you get the crumb size you want.
- Storage Tip: Keep your breadcrumbs fresh by storing them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. They’ll stay perfect for up to a month, ready to become a golden bread crumb topping for pasta anytime.
Making Homemade Breadcrumbs isn’t just a smart kitchen trick—it’s a way to turn something simple into wholesome goodness. Sure, the store-bought kinds work in a pinch, but nothing compares to knowing exactly what’s coating your family’s favorite dishes. Plus, by using whole or multigrain bread, you can sneak in a bit more fiber and control the sodium to your liking.
For a closer look at the benefits of homemade versus store-bought, check out this helpful resource. And if you’re curious about other ways to transform pantry staples, don’t miss my homemade pita chips or this simple cottage cheese bread recipe.
A Lighter Version of Homemade Breadcrumbs
Sometimes you want all that crispy goodness without the extra richness—and that’s totally doable. For a lighter take on these Homemade Breadcrumbs, simply skip the oil. The cubes will still dry out beautifully in the oven, leaving you with a perfectly crunchy, guilt-free topping.
You can also experiment with different types of bread, like whole grain or seeded loaves, for added texture and nutrients. I often use this method when I’m making a savory seasoned topping for casseroles where I want flavor without heaviness. For more inspiration on light and tasty kitchen projects, try my homemade sweet potato chips recipe or these healthy baking recipes.
Thoughtful Tips for Special Diets
I love sharing food that welcomes everyone to the table, no matter their dietary needs. If you or someone you love is sugar-conscious or managing things like glycemic control, a few thoughtful tweaks can make all the difference.
For a diabetic-friendly version of these Homemade Breadcrumbs, start with a low glycemic index bread like whole grain or sourdough. You can also skip any sweetened seasonings and rely on herbs, garlic, or a pinch of smoked paprika for flavor. Another idea? Try using a natural sugar alternative like stevia if you’re adding a hint of sweetness elsewhere in your meal.
And remember—portion size matters. A little of this golden bread crumb topping for pasta goes a long way in adding crunch without overdoing it. The goal is to enjoy what you love, thoughtfully.
How to Serve Homemade Breadcrumbs
One of my earliest memories in the kitchen is watching my grandmother shake chicken cutlets in a brown paper bag full of seasoned crumbs. The sound, the smell—it felt like magic. Today, I still get that same thrill every time I shake a batch of Homemade Breadcrumbs onto a baking sheet or over a steamy casserole.
These crumbs truly shine as a Homemade Breadcrumbs for chicken coating—just dip your chicken in egg wash, press into the crumbs, and pan-fry or bake until golden. They’re also wonderful as a crispy baked coating from leftover bread on fish or tofu. And let’s not forget my favorite comfort food upgrade: Homemade Breadcrumbs for macaroni baked until bubbly and crisp on top.
For more family-style meal ideas, take a look at my easy homemade pasta or these buttery biscuits recipe. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a Sunday supper, a little crunch makes everything better.
Mistakes to Avoid
We’ve all had kitchen moments that don’t turn out quite right—I’ve certainly burned my share of breadcrumbs over the years. Learning from those mistakes is how we grow as cooks, so let me share a few common pitfalls to avoid when making your Homemade Breadcrumbs.
First, don’t rush the drying process. If your bread cubes still feel soft in the center, they won’t crisp up properly and could turn soggy later. I always check by breaking a larger piece open—it should be completely dry throughout. Second, avoid over-processing your crumbs. Pulse just until you achieve your preferred texture, whether coarse or fine, as over-blending can create a dusty powder.
Lastly, seasoning too early can lead to uneven distribution or burning. For the best results, add herbs and spices after drying but before storing. For more expert guidance on texture and technique, check out these professional breadcrumb making techniques. And if you’re looking for flavor inspiration, my all-purpose seasoning blend works wonderfully here.
Remember, even imperfect batches can be saved—I’ve learned to toast slightly under-dried crumbs in a skillet for a few minutes to rescue them. Cooking is all about adapting, just like my grandmother taught me.
How to Store Homemade Breadcrumbs
My mother always kept a mason jar of Homemade Breadcrumbs on her pantry shelf, and seeing it there felt like having a secret weapon for weeknight dinners. She’d smile and say, “Waste not, want not, Ellie,” as she tucked another batch away. That simple practice of preserving goodness has stayed with me all these years.
To keep your crumbs fresh and ready for action, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For longer storage, freeze them in zip-top bags for up to six months—no need to thaw before using. I like to portion mine into small jars so I can grab just what I need for savory seasoned topping for casseroles or Homemade Breadcrumbs for chicken.
If your crumbs lose their crunch over time, simply spread them on a baking sheet and toast at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. They’ll come back to life beautifully. For more smart storage ideas, check out my homemade lunchables guide or these soft dinner rolls that make excellent crumbs later.
Try This Homemade Breadcrumbs Yourself
I’ll never forget the first time I made Homemade Breadcrumbs with my daughter—the way her eyes lit up when she shook that bag of seasoned crumbs, just like I did with my grandmother. That circle of love and cooking continues in our kitchen today, and I hope it will in yours too.
This simple recipe isn’t just about reducing waste or saving money—though it does both beautifully. It’s about connecting to those kitchen traditions that make a house feel like home. That satisfying crunch on tonight’s pasta, that golden coating on tomorrow’s chicken, that moment when you realize you’ve created something wonderful from something simple.
So grab that leftover loaf and turn it into your own batch of magic. I promise once you try making Homemade Breadcrumbs from scratch, you’ll never look at stale bread the same way again. For more kitchen projects that bring joy, try my peanut butter cookies, these festive Halloween cookies, or our family’s favorite Christmas cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make bread crumbs?
You start by cutting stale bread into cubes, then drying them in the oven until completely crisp. Once cooled, pulse the dried bread in a food processor until you achieve your desired texture—coarse for crunch or fine for coating. Season with herbs and spices to create your perfect Homemade Breadcrumbs.
Are homemade breadcrumbs worth it?
Absolutely! Homemade versions let you control ingredients, avoid preservatives, and reduce food waste. The flavor and texture surpass store-bought options, plus you can customize them for specific dishes like Homemade Breadcrumbs for macaroni or chicken. For more inspiration on transforming basics, try my cookie recipes.
How to dry your own breadcrumbs?
Spread bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until completely dry and crisp. You can also air-dry them overnight if you prefer no-bake methods. The key is ensuring no moisture remains for the perfect crispy baked coating from leftover bread.
What should I use if I don’t have breadcrumbs?
Crushed crackers, rolled oats, or crushed cereal make good substitutes in a pinch. For a gluten-free option, try ground nuts or seeds. But honestly, once you see how easy it is to make Homemade Breadcrumbs, you’ll probably want to keep a jar on hand for all your cooking needs.
More From My Kitchen
If you loved making these breadcrumbs, you’ll adore these other homemade favorites that bring comfort to any table.
- Oatmeal Cookie Recipes – Chewy, comforting cookies packed with cinnamon and raisins for that perfect homemade treat.
- Juicy Burger Recipe – The ultimate backyard burger with special seasoning and perfect grill marks every time.
- Healthy Baking Favorites – Wholesome sweet and savory treats that don’t compromise on flavor or texture.
- Flaky Buttery Biscuits – Southern-style biscuits that melt in your mouth and make any meal special.
