Learning how to make breadcrumbs is an essential baking skill and totally worth it. Make better food by learning cooking skills that can lift you up.
Thus far in our macaroni and cheese series, we have not used any breadcrumbs, but that is about to change. I intentionally left them out of recipes, thus far, as I do not think that breadcrumbs are an essential part of a traditional macaroni and cheese. My traditional macaroni and cheese recipe is heavy enough that it just does not need more. I do respect, however, that so many people do like breadcrumbs as a topping for a baked macaroni and cheese dish. So today, we are going to show you how to make breadcrumbs and I am going to use them in some upcoming recipes that I do think need it.
This recipe uses fresh bread, but a similar technique could be used if you have crusty, hard, and not yet moldy bread.
How to make breadcrumbs summary
The idea is that we are going to dry out the bread and make it nice and crispy. In our case, we are going to use fresh bread and make it crispy in the oven. Then, we are going to add the bread and some seasonings to a food processor and pulse. The result should be a nice and easy Italian style breadcrumb that should go great on macaroni and cheese.
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How to make breadcrumbs! This breadcrumb recipe is simple and easy, but very tasty and great for a macaroni and cheese dish.
Ingredients
- 4 oz bread
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Cut bread into 2 inch squares
- Lay squares on a cookie sheet
- Bake for 25 minutes
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes
- Add all ingredients to food processor and pulse until breadcrumb consistency
26 Comments
Ginny McMeans
October 23, 2017 at 11:46 amSo simple yet so good. Why didn’t I ever think of this!
Sandi
October 23, 2017 at 11:47 amWhat a great idea to make your own breadcrumbs. Sometimes gluten free bread crumbs are hard to find. I love the idea of making my own.
Cheapskate Cook
October 23, 2017 at 11:48 amThis is great! Can I freeze the breadcrumbs so I could make a bunch in advance and use as-needed?
Ben
October 23, 2017 at 12:36 pmHonestly, I am not 100% sure. You can freeze bread, so I would imagine this is alright. My worry would be any moisture that would collect on the bread over time. So, I think my answer would be “give it a try, but don’t let it sit in the freezer for too long OR have it stored really well.”
Suzy
October 23, 2017 at 11:51 amThis is wonderful and so simple! Thanks for sharing.
Rebecca | Let's Eat Cake
October 23, 2017 at 1:37 pmYaaaaas! Love this recipe for homemade breadcrumbs – they’re so much better than the storebought ones!
Ben
October 23, 2017 at 1:39 pmto be fair… I do like cake better than breadcrumbs. Let’s eat cake.
Sarah
October 23, 2017 at 3:16 pmThis is awesome.. store bought breadcrumbs always have freaky ingredients. Home made are better!
Analida Braeger
October 23, 2017 at 8:22 pmI am going to get some these into my mason jars! You can get flip caps at masonjars.com and she is a friend of mine. Any idea how long the shelf life is?
Ben
October 24, 2017 at 5:52 amooo boy. I would advise proceeding with caution on storing and maybe test the grounds. They are eaten up in our house as we make em, but my guess is that they could last for a week or two. I mean, really, this is almost just an extension of my crouton recipe and they last for at least a week (also, never last that long in our house). Store bought crumbs last FOREVER, but I would imagine they are treated with stuff to make that happen.
Pear and Gouda Macaroni and Cheese - Ramshackle Pantry
October 24, 2017 at 10:01 am[…] and expand our horizons with a pear and gouda macaroni and cheese. We are going to be putting our breadcrumb recipe to use that I just posted yesterday in this sweet and savory […]
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
October 25, 2017 at 9:41 amI love homemade breadcrumbs! Even though it’s such a simple item, it tastes so much better homemade, doesn’t it? I can’t wait to try your recipe!!
Alicia Taylor
October 26, 2017 at 12:12 pmI make my own, too – but usually leave off the seasoning so they don’t clash if I am going to use them in something with a clashing spice. It’s such an easy way to keep bread from going bad – and bread crumbs aren’t cheap.
Leslie
October 26, 2017 at 12:45 pmHow have I never made my own breadcrumbs before?! This is so easy, and now I can stop complaining about the poor quality of what I find at the store! 🙂
Monica | Nourish & Fete
October 26, 2017 at 2:41 pmI love making my own breadcrumbs! We always seem to have leftover bread, so I’m glad to have a way to use it. I will part ways with you, though, and say that my favorite takes on mac and cheese nearly all have a crunchy seasoned breadcrumb topping. Yum! 🙂
Tina
October 26, 2017 at 5:09 pmThis is great, I never thought to use my own breadcrumbs. Fantastic!
Cheryl
October 26, 2017 at 9:28 pmWhat a genius recipe! How long can you keep fresh breadcrumbs?
Ben
October 27, 2017 at 6:12 amI am not 100% sure. I would guess a week or so, but maybe longer.
Christine
October 28, 2017 at 1:45 amWhat a great idea! I’ve never thought to make my own breadcrumbs. Definitely going to try this out !
[email protected]
October 28, 2017 at 9:13 amsimple but rich but rich of flavor. Love the idea adding those seasoning . thx for sharing
Carrie @ Carrie’s Home Cooking
October 29, 2017 at 9:36 amI love this! I am always trying to come up with great idea and recipes to keep my pantry stocked instead of having to good with store-bought. Pinned!
Ben
October 29, 2017 at 10:07 amThanks, Carrie!
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
October 29, 2017 at 10:15 amSuch a good idea and a great way to use up some leftover bread which I just happen to have from another recipe!
Ben
October 29, 2017 at 10:21 amNo doubt. It is awesome when you can take what was left from one recipe and make another. I also make croutons from bread on the edge.
Abby @ WinsteadWandering
October 29, 2017 at 7:31 pmI know making breadcrumbs in pretty easy, but for some reason I never do it. Thanks for the inspiration!
Karyl Henry
November 12, 2018 at 8:27 amI’ve never made breadcrumbs before, but I really need to do that…because I use them all the time and just buy them in the grocery store. And, I just happen to have some bread that’s perfect for it!
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