Gluten-free Bread Crumbs

Gluten-free bread is overpriced. Don't waste it by tossing the pieces that have gone stale. Turn them into gluten-free bread crumbs instead.

Have you ever tried to find and buy gluten-free bread crumbs at the store? Not only are they not easy to find, but they are incredibly expensive for tiny little amounts. I thought gluten-free bread is overpriced as it is, but gluten-free bread crumbs seem to be made of gold for the prices they ask.

Next time you buy gluten-free bread, don't waste it by tossing out the odd ends and pieces that have gone stale. Turn them into gluten-free bread crumbs instead. Trust me, your stomach and your wallet will thank you later.

Jump to:

• Ingredients.
• Best type of gluten-free bread to turn it into bread crumbs?
• Using frozen gluten-free bread
• Using homemade gluten-free bread
• Dairy-free bread crumbs.
• How to make gluten-free bread crumbs.
• Can you make bread crumbs without a food processor?
• Tip for making gluten-free bread crumbs that last.
• How do you make seasoned bread crumbs?
• Storing homemade bread crumbs.
• Homemade bread crumb FAQ
• Are bread crumbs the same thing as panko?
• Give these gluten-free recipes a try with your fresh bread crumbs
• 📖 Recipe

Ingredients.

To make gluten-free bread crumbs, you don't really need many ingredients.

• Gluten-free Bread
• Spices - optional

Best type of gluten-free bread to turn it into bread crumbs?

You can easily make bread crumbs out of all kinds of gluten-free bread.

I tend to buy several loaves of Canyon Bakehouse bread when I see it and keep them in the freezer since it's my family's favorite store-bought gluten-free bread. Whenever I go through a loaf, I'll add the end pieces to a ziplock bag in my freezer. If the loaf goes a little stale, I'll those pieces in the bag as well.

Once I have a few pieces of gluten-free bread in the bag, I'll turn them into bread crumbs.

Using frozen gluten-free bread

Yes, make sure you defrost any frozen bread on the counter before turning it into bread crumbs.

Using homemade gluten-free bread

You can turn fresh gluten-free bread into bread crumbs. I will often make double batches of my gluten-free french bread. I know we won't eat it all, and it makes delicious bread crumbs to use in recipes later.

Dairy-free bread crumbs.

In order to make dairy-free bread crumbs, you need to make sure that the gluten-free bread you are using is also dairy-free. Be sure to check the label of ingredients or the recipe for the bread you are using.

How to make gluten-free bread crumbs.

Step 1: Slice the baked bread into small cubes (think croutons.)

Step 2: Lay the cubes onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Step 3: Bake the gluten-free bread in a 350-degree oven for about 20 minutes or until the pieces of bread start to feel dry and crunchy.

Step 4: Transfer the bread cubes to a food processor and pulse them to turn the bread cubes into crumbs.

Step 5: Continue to pulse the bread crumbs until desired texture is achieved.

Can you make bread crumbs without a food processor?

Yes, you can make bread crumbs without a food processor. It is a little bit more work, but it can be done.

1. Place your dried bread pieces into a ziplock bag.
2. Seal the ziplock bag and place it flat on the counter.
3. Roll a rolling pin over the pieces to break them up.
4. If you find that your bread is flattening more than it is breaking apart into crumbs, you need to dry it out more and then repeat.

Tip for making gluten-free bread crumbs that last.

If the crumbs still feel (like bread), try dehydrating them. Don't worry; you don't need a dehydrator to do this. I use this technique just when I want my gluten-free graham crackers to be extra crispy and make them last longer or when I'm making my gluten-free graham cracker crust.

If you've processed your bread crumbs and they still feel soft, do this.

1. Reduce the oven temperature to 225 degrees.
2. Place the bread crumbs back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake the bread crumbs in the oven for about 10-15 minutes at a lower temperature.
4. After they have baked, check the texture again.
5. Repeat for another 5 minutes at a time until you've reached your desired dryness.

How do you make seasoned bread crumbs?

• Italian breadcrumbs are pretty common to find, and you easily make them with this recipe by simply adding about 1-2 teaspoons of your favorite Italian seasoning to your bread crumbs.
• If you don't want to season your bread crumbs before you store them, you don't have to. Just season them as needed before you use them.

Storing homemade bread crumbs.

• These bread crumbs can be stored in a glass container or a ziplock bag in a cool, dry place for about a month.
• If you don't plan on using them in that time frame, place them in the freezer to store for longer.

Homemade bread crumb FAQ

Are bread crumbs the same thing as panko?

While bread crumbs and panko are similar, they are not entirely the same thing. There are three big differences between bread crumbs and panko.

• Panko is much crispier than regular bread crumbs.
• Panko can not absorb as much oil as regular bread crumbs. This is part of the reason why it is crispier.
• Regular bread crumbs are made with various types of bread or gluten-free bread in this case. Panko is made only from white bread. No crusts are used when making panko crumbs.

There are a few companies that make gluten-free panko. My favorite gluten-free panko to buy is from Kikkoman. It is certified gluten-free, and it is fairly reasonably priced for the amount.

If you want to make your own gluten-free panko crumbs, you can.

1. Make sure that the bread you are using is white bread and not gluten-free wheat bread.
2. Remove the crusts from the bread.
3. Process the bread like you would regular gluten-free bread crumbs but leave the pieces a little bigger.

Then you'll have made your own gluten-free panko.

Give these gluten-free recipes a try with your fresh bread crumbs

📖 Recipe