How to Make Dried Breadcrumbs

There are a number of ways a cook can put dried breadcrumbs to use. They can be used as a filler, to stretch a pound of ground meat a bit further. They can be used to coat an individual portion of chicken or to top a casserole, giving each a crispy crust. Breadcrumbs are readily available in supermarkets, but creating your own is a simple matter. It takes little in the way of time and energy and saves you money, as well.

Things You'll Need

• Non-stick cooking spray Stale bread Baking sheet Food processor or blender

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

2. Slice the bread, if necessary, and separate the pieces. Cut large slices into smaller strips and then remove all the crusts. Arrange the strips in a single layer on the baking sheet, ensuring they lie as flat as possible and do not overlap.

3. Bake the bread slices for 30 minutes. Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool naturally.

4. Place your bread into a food processor or blender. Process on high for about 30 seconds, or until bread has been reduced to fine, uniform crumbs.

5. Spread the crumbs in an even layer across the baking sheet and return to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes to complete the drying process.

6. Store dried bread crumbs in an airtight container or plastic food-storage bag.

Tips & Warnings

• For a darker color to the breadcrumbs increase the temperature of the oven for the final step of the drying process. For a different taste or appearance, add your choice of finely chopped fresh herbs to your breadcrumbs. Or try making crumbs from crackers, chips or unsweetened cereals.

References

• How to Make Breadcrumbs
• Making Fresh, Dried, Toasted Bread Crumbs