Homemade seasoned breadcrumbs can be made with crushed croutons in air fryer or baked in the oven. Italian seasoning or plain can be made. Options for breadcrumb substitutes too if you run out.
These homemade seasoned breadcrumbs are homemade and just one of our cooking basics posts. You don’t have to be new to cooking to make this though, it took me many years before deciding to make these homemade. Now I’ll never buy canned again. (affiliate links present)
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Air Fryer Breadcrumbs
We have made this as a Cosori air fryer recipe and as Ninja Foodi breadcrumbs as well. It doesn’t matter what brand of machine you own, it will work using the directions below. I will also include step by step for baking in the oven as well. You can use a loaf of bread cubed, or bake your own.
That is right, if you want to go all out and bake homemade bread first you’d want to let it cool, slice, and leaving it out on the countertop overnight is even better. If your loaf is really really soft it won’t slice super well unless you have a special knife that is super sharp. Dicing into bite size pieces is even harder unless it’s day old bread.
How to Make Breadcrumbs From Bread
If you see here the bread sliced rather nicely without yanking apart into weird shapes because it wasn’t super fresh. I typically make another batch to save and use when I have half or a full loaf that needs to be used up really.
Once they are toasted to golden brown and crunchy all you need to do is crush it into fine pieces. The easiest way to do that is with a food processor. You could use a blender for that instead if that is all you had too. Add all the seasonings you like on the bread, or wait and do it now.
I mean I guess if that is all you had you could use this instead of a food processor. I’m not sure my fingers would be safe using this method as you’d be using small pieces of toasted bread which will be hard to hold and not slip on to the grate itself but have at it.
I would suggest pouring your crunchy baked pieces into a gallon freezer bag, sealing tight and smashing them on your countertop. This is safer than trying to use a cheese grater and having the possibility of grating your fingers at the same time.
Breadcrumb Substitutes
I mean look around your house and see what you could use as a sort of binder. If you try one out of desperation you actually might find that everyone likes that way better. Stuffing mix is actually quite amazing since it is already packed with seasonings, just crush or blend until it’s fine enough. I have used crackers too.
- Croutons
- Potato chips
- Oats
- Almonds add calcium and would be gluten free
- Oats
- Crushed chips like Ritz or Wheat Thins works
- we prefer this in our Jiffy corn casserole recipe
- Dry stuffing mix, Pepperidge Farm herb is the best
- Plain cereal like cornflakes smashed will work too
- We share ideas on how to bread chicken without eggs here too
So if you find yourself making our Lipton soup meatloaf recipe and OMG not only are you out of your canister of crumbs there are lots of other options to choose from now.
How to Make Gluten Free Breadcrumbs
If you needed a substitute that was acceptable for someone with celiac you could do it with this homemade seasoned breadcrumbs recipe for sure. You likely have a loaf of acceptable bread or crackers at home for them, feel free to follow the same directions below. Timing may vary because it is made differently and usually more dense so keep an eye on your pieces of bread in the machine.
How to Make Breadcrumbs in Air Fryer
- Cut stale bread into 1″ inch squares. No need to remove the crusts, I prefer that they stay on.
- you can use both types of bread, white or wheat are best
- Transfer the bread to the air fryer basket and roast at 340 F for 4-6 minutes or until browned and crispy. Spraying a bit of olive oil on top will enhance the toastiness.
- Place the toasted bread slices, paprika and thyme in a food processor and pulse.
- You can use other spices and herbs too like Italian seasoning.
- Grind in pulses of 10-15 seconds. After each pulse, check how finely crushed the bread crumbs are. If you want to get a smaller crumb, grind them longer.
Homemade Breadcrumbs in Oven
You would follow the same time of about 5 minutes at 350F or so but lay pieces in a single layer on a sheet pan instead. Watch closely thru the window with the light on as it doesn’t take long to brown and you don’t want them to get too dark.
You can now use them to make oven fried fish, air fryer tilapia or for vegetables like our salt and pepper zucchini chips. WAY better than store bought because you can customize the flavors. Even add some red pepper flakes for a spicy version if you like.
How to Store Homemade Breadcrumbs
If you have leftover bread at home and just kills you to throw it away, make seasoned breadcrumbs this week! Transfer the homemade bread crumbs to a jar or container when done. Tightly close the lid and use when needed. To keep the crackers from getting damp, you can store them in the refrigerator.
Can you make breadcrumbs with a fresh loaf of bread?
Just have fresh bread but want to make this too? It really does need to dry out a bit so plan on making them tomorrow. Just set it out at room temperature overnight on a sheet pan or at least with the end of the bag open and you’ll be ready to make this in the morning.
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Seasoned Breadcrumbs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp thyme
Instructions
- Cut slices of white bread into 1" inch squares. No need to cut off the crust off. Transfer the bread to the air fryer basket, spray top with olive oil spray and roast at 340 F for 4-6 minutes or until browned and crispy. (toss basket halfway thru)
- Place the toasted bread slices in a blender or food processor. Add smoked paprika and dried thyme as well. You can use other spices and herbs too like Italian seasoning.
- Grind in pulses of 10-15 seconds each. After each pulse, check how finely crushed the crackers are. If you want to get a smaller crumb, grind the crackers longer.
- Transfer the finished breadcrumbs to a jar or container, tightly close the lid and use when needed. To keep the crackers from getting damp, you can store them in the refrigerator.
- Can be used for breading fish, meat, appetizers, seafood, as well as for casseroles, minced meat and other dishes.
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