Types of Bread Crumbs

Today a new knowledge base article. I have been getting a lot of questions via e-mails lately and I want to answer them as best I can. In addition, it is also interesting for myself to find out new things, if I do not know them yet. You cannot know everything. This knowledge base article is about the different types of bread crumbs.

What are bread crumbs

Before I go into the different types of breadcrumbs out there, it is useful to briefly explain what bread crumbs are. The name actually says it all: breadcrumbs are small and dry bread particles. You can use these to thicken dishes or to get a crunchy layer when you fry food.

Types of Bread crumbs

When you talk about bread crumbs you actually have 5 categories:

1. Dried bread crumbs
2. Fresh bread crumbs
3. Panko
4. Plain
5. Italian

Below I will further discuss each category with which dishes can be used with which type of breadcrumbs.

Dried Bread Crumbs

As the name implies, dried breadcrumbs are made from bread that has been toasted or baked. By toasting and / or baking the bread, the moisture in the bread is removed. This leaves you with dry breadcrumbs. The texture of the crumb can be sandy. You can also easily make these breadcrumbs yourself. You need bread and a food processor for this. Place the bread in the food processor and mix well. The bread will be cut into small pieces. In between you can check if you are satisfied with the crumbs! When you are satisfied, all you have to do is roast them in the oven. You can choose to add ingredients for more flavor. You can think of salt, pepper or olive oil.

Dishes where you can use these breadcrumbs are:

• Casseroles / Gratins

Fresh Bread Crumbs

The second category is fresh bread crumbs. The name actually says it all. They are fresh breadcrumbs that have a softer texture and are larger than the dried breadcrumbs. The difference is therefore in the texture. You can easily make these yourself by adding bread in a food processor. Grind the bread. You can use the crusts as usual. You also don’t have to use an oven to get rid of the moisture.

Dishes where you can use these breadcrumbs are:

• Meatlof
• Mac and Cheese

Panko

The third category is Panko. You’ve probably heard this name. This crumb originates in Japan. It is the crunchy coating used to fry food. Panko is made from bread baked by electric current. This sounds crazy, but doing this will not give you a crust. Then the bread is ground just like the other breadcrumbs. The texture is very airy and has the ability to absorb oil. This gives you a crispy layer.

Dishes where you can use these breadcrumbs are:

• Fried Chicken
• Fried Shrimps
• Agedashi tofu
• Tonkatsu

Plain Breadcrumbs

You can easily buy these in the supermarket. This is made from different types of bread and you can choose whether or not to have a crust. If we compare it to panko, this is a finer crumb. When you buy this in the store, it may be that herbs have been added.

Dishes where you can use these breadcrumbs are:

• Meatballs
• Chicken Schnitzel

Italian Breadcrumbs

Italian Breadcrumbs are plain breadcrumbs, as it were, only with herbs. This crumb consists of, among others, dries parsley, basil, oregano and thyme together with pepper, salt and some garlic powder.

Dishes where you can use these breadcrumbs are:

• Italian Meatballs

When to use bread crumbs

You have probably used bread crumbs in different dishes. Depending on the type of breadcrumb, one dish works better than another. For example, I always use dried and fresh breadcrumbs in dishes with meat as a binding agent. An example could be a meatball. If you want to bread or fry meat, you can use panko for this. Panko is able to absorb oil, which gives you a crispy layer. You can also experiment with this yourself to see which crumb works best for you with which dish!

Storing bread crumbs

When you make breadcrumbs yourself, you have the option of storing them for a long time. You have to make sure that they are packed dry in an airtight container. Then you place the container in the freezer. I have never tested exactly how long you can store bread crumbs. If you keep it in the fridge, you have a few days.

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FAQ Types of Bread Crumbs

Below you can find the most frequently asked questions:

For which dishes can you use bread crumbs?
That depends on the type of bread crumbs. You can use it for example with meat dishes like meatballs or to fried food like chicken. There are a lot of possibilities.