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These are not your traditional breadcrumbs. This Panko Bread Crumbs recipe makes those light, crunchy bread crumbs you see in delicious recipes like chicken katsu or crispy shrimp.

panko bread crumbs recipes in a white dish

Today, I’m excited to share with you a super cool basic to make at home. It’s a Panko Bread Crumbs Recipe using fresh bread.

The good news is that making them at home is easier than you think, and I’m here to show you how!

Panko bread crumbs are different from regular bread crumbs because they’re lighter and crunchier. This makes them really great for certain recipes.

They make the perfect crunchy topping for lots of dishes. And guess what? You can make them with just a few simple ingredients.

Whether you’re using leftover bread or a fresh loaf, making your own panko crumbs is a great way to add that extra crunch to your favorite recipes.

This recipe is not just fun to make, but it’s also a great way to save some money and avoid an extra trip to the grocery store.

Plus, using a homemade panko bread crumbs recipe is so much tastier than store-bought stuff. Homemade is always better! So, let’s get started and make some crunchy, homemade panko crumbs!

Some of our other favorite fried recipes we have on our site include: Crispy Fried Panko Shrimp Recipe, Best Crispy Deep Fried Pickles Recipe, and Homemade Garlic Parmesan Air Fry Tater Tots.

panko bread crumbs recipe in a blue bowl

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

Easy to Make: With just a few ingredients, you can make your own panko breadcrumbs at home.
Versatile Use: Japanese panko is perfect for coating chicken, pork chops, or as a topping for casseroles.
Less Oil Needed: Homemade panko absorbs less oil. So it’s a binding agent that makes your dishes taste lighter.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):

White wheat bread (or your choice of bread)
Salt
Ground pepper
Dried Italian herbs

ingredients needed to make panko bread crumbs recipe

HOW TO MAKE PANKO BREAD CRUMBS RECIPE:

Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line two sheet trays with parchment paper and set aside.
Cut the crusts off each slice of bread.
For larger pieces, separate half the slices of bread with your hands into very small pieces. Put them in a medium bowl.
Add half of the salt, spices, and herbs, and mix.
Break the remaining slices into smaller pieces and put them in a food processor.
Cover and grind the bread at medium speed in pulses of 5-10 seconds. After 40-50 seconds, the crumbs will be ready. Season with the remaining spices.
Transfer the smaller crumbs to a baking sheet lined with parchment. Toast in the oven for 4-5 minutes until lightly golden brown.
Repeat with the larger pieces, toasting time should be the same. Keep an eye on it!
Once done, mix the smaller and larger pieces together and allow to cool completely.
Transfer the panko to a jar or container with a lid and store in a dry place.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

WHAT KIND OF BREAD IS THE BEST TO USE?

White wheat bread works great, but you can also use whole wheat bread, crustless white bread, or even gluten-free bread.

Trust me, these homemade bread crumbs will be well worth the little effort they take to make. It’s also a great way to use up bread to store for later use!

WHAT KIND OF RECIPES CAN I USE THESE IN?

Panko crumbs can be put to good use in all sorts of recipes, like chicken parmesan, pork cutlets, or even as a crunchy topping for casseroles.

I also love them on panko fried shrimp or even zucchini fries!

panko bread crumbs recipe in a white serving dish overhead image

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CAN I USE THESE IN PLACE OF STORE-BOUGHT?

Absolutely! Homemade panko crumbs can be used just like the ones you buy at the store, and they often taste even better.

All you need is a loaf of bread and some dried herbs, and you’re in business! I love it when a simple recipe comes together!

ANY ADDITIONS?

Certainly! There are all kinds of variations to traditional panko out there. Try a few of these ideas!

Grated parmesan cheese for a cheesy twist.
Freshly chopped parsley for an herby flavor.
A pinch of garlic powder for some zing.
Lemon zest for a citrusy touch.
Crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
Sesame seeds for a nutty taste.
Smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
Dried basil for an Italian twist.
Dried oregano for a Mediterranean flavor.

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

For sure! While I haven’t tried these out, I’m sure you can get some awesome breadcrumb varieties out of them.

Gluten-free bread for a gluten-free option.

up close image panko bread crumbs recipe in white bowl

HOW TO STORE:

Room Temp: Just store in an airtight container for up to one week at room temperature. They’ll probably last longer than that, but you may want to transfer them to the freezer.

Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:

Pulse the bread in a food processor for even crumbs.
Season the crumbs before baking for extra flavor.
Spread the crumbs on a rimmed baking sheet for even toasting.
Let the crumbs cool completely before storing.
Experiment with different kinds of bread for unique flavors.

overhead image panko bread crumbs recipe in blue bowl

Making this Panko Bread Crumbs recipe at home is a fun, easy, and delicious way to add a special touch to your cooking.

Whether you’re making a crispy coating for meat, a crunchy topping for casseroles, or just want to try something new, these homemade panko crumbs will do the trick.

Give this recipe a try, and you’ll see how a simple ingredient like bread can be transformed into something so tasty!

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If you’ve tried this PANKO BREAD CRUMBS RECIPE, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!

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