How to Make Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs make some of the best toppings for many dishes. HelloFresh’s recipe development manager, Mimi Morley, explains that breadcrumbs not only add extra flavour to your meal, but offer a unique crunch and texture. You can use breadcrumbs in most dishes, whether that’s salads, soups, pasta, chicken dishes or burgers. These instructions will show you how to make breadcrumbs from fresh bread in a few simple steps.

How breadcrumbs can be used

Breadcrumbs can be used in a lot of ways. Here are some HelloFresh favourites:

Sprinkled on roasted vegetables

Enhance the taste and texture of roasted vegetables by either sprinkling crispy breadcrumbs on top or serving them alongside. It’s an easy way to elevate this dish and add a delightful crunch to every bite.

Layered on seafood

When cooking seafood, a layer of crusted breadcrumbs will add a crunch that contrasts with the fish and enhances the overall texture of your dish.

Baked with pasta

Try sprinkling breadcrumbs onto your pasta before serving it or if you’re preparing a pasta bake in the oven. It’ll add another dimension of flavour and make everything taste even better.

Coated on chicken

Breadcrumbs are a wonderful way to coat chicken, adding more flavor and an extra crispy touch that serves as a delicious alternative to plain chicken skin.

Seasoning for meats

Breadcrumbs can also be used as an ingredient in marinades or rubs when you want to season your meats before cooking them.

Breakfast topping

Breadcrumbs also make a great topping for eggs and bacon. Mix the crumbs with an egg or two, and then fry the mixture in a pan until it is golden brown. Sprinkle it on top of your eggs or bacon for a tasty treat.

How do you make breadcrumbs?

There are two main types of breadcrumbs, fresh and dried.

How to make breadcrumbs from fresh bread

To make fresh breadcrumbs, put slices of bread into a food processor and pulse until the breadcrumbs are the size you prefer. Make sure that all pieces are about the same size so that they’ll be evenly distributed when you cook them.

How to make dry breadcrumbs

To make dried breadcrumbs, bake slices of bread on a low heat in the oven until they’re completely dried out. Next, pulse the bread in a food processor until it’s ground down into small breadcrumbs. Make sure you don’t completely break down the breadcrumbs into a flour-like mixture.

Fish with breadcrumbs

Ingredients:

• 2 fillets of your favourite fish (about 360g)
• 2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons of all-purpose white flour
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper
• Lemon juice (optional)

Step 1: Wash the fish fillets and pat them dry with a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper, place them in a baking dish and drizzle with lemon juice.

Step 2: Mix the breadcrumbs with some flour and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Beat the eggs in a separate bowl.

Step 4: Preheat oil in a deep frying pan to around 200°C.

Step 5: Cover the seasoned fish fillets completey in all-purpose flour, then dip them into the egg mixture. Roll the fillets in some more breadcrumbs so they’re fully covered.

Step 6: Cook the fillets in the frying pan until golden. Soak up any excess oil by placing the fried fillets on a paper towel before serving.

Meat with breadcrumbs

Ingredients:

• 2kg of meat or chicken cutlets
• 4 cups of dry breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
• 2 eggs beaten with 3 tablespoons of water
• 5 cup of vegetable oil
• Salt

Step 1: Slice the meat into thin pieces, if it’s not already cut.

Step 2: In a small bowl, beat the eggs with a little water until they are frothy.

Step 3: Spread the breadcrumbs on an aluminium foil-topped baking tray, then top with salt, parmesan cheese and garlic powder.

Step 4: Dip each slice of meat into the egg and then coat in breadcrumbs. Place one piece at a time in the skillet and fry until golden brown.

It’s important to check the internal temperature of your meat before serving. If the core temperature (where the meat is thickest) is 60°C for 45 minutes; 65°C for 10 minutes; 70°C for two minutes; 75°C for 30 seconds; 80°C for six seconds, then it has reached its perfect temperature.

How long do breadcrumbs last?

HelloFresh’s recipe development manager, Mimi Morley, loves the longevity of breadcrumbs, suggesting that it’s a great way to reduce food waste. “You can store your crumbs in the freezer for up to six months, or in the refrigerator for up to two months.”

“With HelloFresh, you make less food waste than if you were cooking with ingredients from the supermarket. With every recipe, customers get the exact ingredients they need, pre-measureed to the gram, so there’s hardly any waste after cooking and eating.”

HelloFresh recipes with breadcrumbs

Looking for some inspiration for cooking with breadcrumbs? Here are some favourites:

• Oregano Crumbed Chicken with Cheesy Mash and Garlicky Bean
• Breaded Halloumi Steaks with Sweet Potato Fries and Salad
• Ultimate Parmigiano Crumbed Chicken Schnitzel
• Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese
• Cajun Crumbed Sea Bass and Paprika Potatoes

Cook easy-to-follow recipes, with pre-measured ingredients and all the tools you need right at your fingertips. Take a look at which HelloFreh plan suits you.