Carlo A/Getty Images
- Breadcrumbs are easy to make at home and a great way to use up extra bread.
- The quickest method is a food processor or blender, but a box grater will also work.
- Store breadcrumbs in an airtight container for up to a month or freeze for longer storage.
- Visit Insider's Home & Kitchen Reference library for more stories.
You'll often find breadcrumbs used as a coating for chicken or fish, but the crispy crumbs add texture and flavor to a wide range of dishes. While you can buy breadcrumbs at the grocery store, they're incredibly easy to make at home.
"Breadcrumbs are a great way to prevent wasting old bread," says Bonnie Ohara, owner of Alchemy Bread Co. and author of "Baking for Beginners." "I use them for breading things, for frying, and I also like to toss them on top of pasta, mac and cheese, or a gratin."
If you have some extra bread lying around, don't make a special trip to the store for breadcrumbs. Make them at home using a food processor or, if you don't have one, a grater.
What if you don't have a blender or food processor?
fermate/Getty Images
If you don't have a food processor or blender handy, you can turn stale or toasted bread into breadcrumbs using a grater. Ohara notes that a regular box grater works well, as does a Microplane grater if you want superfine breadcrumbs. The bread will need to be very dried out and still in slices or large chunks for this method since soft or small pieces of bread are difficult to push through the holes of the grater.
Another option is to add chunks of dried bread to a zip-top bag, press out the air, close it, and pound into crumbs using a rolling pin or mallet.
How to store breadcrumbs
Homemade breadcrumbs will keep in the pantry in an airtight container for a week or in the fridge for a month. "The main thing you want to avoid is moisture," says Ohara. This puts the breadcrumbs at risk of developing mold, so make sure the container is completely sealed. You can also freeze them in a zip-top freezer bag for up to six months. If the breadcrumbs aren't as crisp as you'd like after storage, spread them on a baking sheet and toast at 250 degrees Fahrenheit until dry, or about 10 minutes.
Insider's takeaway
Homemade breadcrumbs are a great way to use up leftover or stale bread. Add dried-out bread to a food processor or blender and pulse to make crumbs, or grate using a box grater. Store them in the fridge or freezer, and use them to add a tasty crunch to savory and sweet dishes.