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If you're tired of buying tiny boxes of panko breadcrumbs, learn how to bake your own. To get panko's distinctive crunchy texture, start by using crustless bread. Shred the bread into coarse, flaky pieces and spread the crumbs on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake the panko breadcrumbs until they dry out and become crisp. Then use them to fry, coat, or fill in your favorite recipes.

Ingredients

  • 10 1/2 ounce (300 g) loaf of crustless white bread

Makes 4 cups (200 g) of panko breadcrumbs

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Processing and Baking the Panko Breadcrumbs

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  1. Set 1 to 2 rimmed baking sheets on your work surface. It's important to use a rimmed sheet so the breadcrumbs won't slide off of the sheet when you put them in and take them out of the oven. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Panko Bread Crumbs
    If you don't have crustless bread, use a sharp serrated knife to trim off and discard the crusts. Place your crustless bread on a cutting board, cut it into slices, and cut each slice into 3 to 4 strips. You can cut them lengthwise or horizontally. [2]
    • While white panko is traditionally made with crustless bread, you can leave the crust on to create tan panko.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Panko Bread Crumbs
    Put the shredding disc on your food processor and turn the machine on. Slowly put the strips of crustless bread into the machine. This should make big flakes of breadcrumbs. [3]
    • If you don't have a food processor, grate the bread against the coarse side of a box grater or pulse it 1 to 2 times in a blender.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Panko Bread Crumbs
    If it looks as though the breadcrumbs will be more than 1 2 inch (1.3 cm) thick on 1 sheet, divide them between 2 sheets. [4]
    • Keeping the breadcrumbs in an even layer will ensure that the panko becomes crispy as it bakes.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Panko Bread Crumbs
    Put the rimmed baking sheet in the preheated oven and cook it until the panko becomes crispy. Use a spoon or spatula to stir the breadcrumbs every 5 minutes as they bake. [5]
    • Stirring the panko frequently will prevent it from browning. The panko should become crunchy, but remain pale in color.
  6. Remove the rimmed baking sheet from the oven and set it on a wire rack. Let the panko cool completely before you use it or store it. If you store the panko before it's finished cooling, the moisture in the breadcrumbs will cause them to spoil faster. [6]
    • It will probably take at least 1 hour for the breadcrumbs to cool. They'll continue to dry as they cool.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Storing and Using the Panko Breadcrumbs

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  1. Put the cooled panko breadcrumbs into a storage container with a lid. Store the container in the pantry and use the breadcrumbs within 2 weeks. [7]
    • If you prefer, freeze the panko breadcrumbs for up to 2 months. There's no need to thaw panko breadcrumbs when you are ready to use them.
  2. Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs over your favorite casserole or gratin just before baking. The panko will brown and become crispy as it bakes. Try topping scalloped potatoes, tuna noodle casserole, or cauliflower gratin. [8]
    • To cut back on the richness of some casseroles, replace grated Parmesan toppings with panko breadcrumbs.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Panko Bread Crumbs
    Substitute panko breadcrumbs for standard breadcrumbs in any recipe that calls for coating food before frying, baking or sautéing. For example, make fried fish, pork chops, chicken cutlets, or onion rings with panko. [9]
    • You can also use panko breadcrumbs in any recipe that calls for breadcrumbs in stuffing. For example, stuff mushrooms with a flavored panko mixture before baking them.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Panko Bread Crumbs
    The next time you're mixing up a batch of meatballs, meatloaf, or veggie burgers, leave out the standard breadcrumbs. Use an equal amount of panko breadcrumbs to act as a binder. They won't change the flavor of the meal, but they'll bind the mixture together. [10]
    • Use panko breadcrumbs in any recipe that calls for breadcrumbs to bind ingredients. For example, mix panko into crab cakes before forming them into patties.
  5. Instead of dipping your favorite appetizers in beaten eggs and coating them with breadcrumbs, use panko breadcrumbs for an extra-crispy exterior. The panko will also stay crispy longer than standard breadcrumbs. For example, coat and fry these appetizers: [11]
    • Scotch eggs
    • Mozzarella sticks
    • Chicken strips
    • Macaroni and cheese balls
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  • Question
    I want to coat a chicken mixture wrapped in crescent rolls with panko crumbs. I needs to bake for around 15 minutes. Will the crumbs burn?
    Community Answer
    No, but the crumbs will become crispy. (The crumbs will burn after about 1 hour.)
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      Tips

      • To make whole-wheat breadcrumbs, use a loaf of your favorite whole-wheat bread. You can also make gluten-free panko breadcrumbs from a loaf of gluten-free bread. [12]
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      Things You'll Need

      • Oven
      • 1 to 2 rimmed baking sheets
      • Food processor with shredder disc or box grater
      • Serrated knife
      • Wire rack
      • Cutting board

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to make your own panko breadcrumbs, cut a crustless loaf of bread into slices, then cut each slice into 3-4 strips. If you don’t have crustless bread, use a serrated knife to trim the crusts off a regular loaf of bread. Grate the strips of bread with a grater or blend them in a food processor fitted with a shredder attachment until you have large flakes of bread, then spread the flakes in an even layer on a rimmed baking dish. Bake the breadcrumbs at 250°F for 20-30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so. Read on to learn how to store your panko breadcrumbs!

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