What do you do when you have stale bread but no food processor? Breadcrumbs! Breadcrumbs are pretty easy to make and most recipes will require that you have a food processor. In this recipe however, we will not be using a food processor, and will simply replace that with a rolling pin or a glass bottle, either of which you will most likely find in your kitchen.
Typically, I make my own breadcrumbs unless it's Panko, then I’ll buy that. Breadcrumbs are great for breading meat like in this chicken schnitzel.
I find that controlling the slices of bread in the oven is easier than controlling the breadcrumbs in the oven. If you typically use a food processor to break up the bread before toasting in the oven then you are probably very much aware of this.
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Ingredients
For this recipe, all you will need is some stale bread.
Making breadcrumbs without a food processor
The first step is to cut the bread into slices, take off the crust and then place them on a baking tray or pan.
Next place the tray in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the bread is dry. You will need to keep an eye on your bread slices so they do not turn too brown. This is not a problem per se but if you use these very brown breadcrumbs to deep fry meat or chicken which needs to stay in the oil for long then your final meal can come out looking burnt.
Next, let the slices cool. Why? Because if the bread slices are still hot and you put them into a ziplock bag, the steam will condense and all that water is going back into the breadcrumbs.
Place the slices into a ziplock bag and then using a rolling pin or a wine bottle, gently crush the bread into smaller pieces. They don't all have to be uniform but just small enough so that you can use actually use them. Transfer into an airtight container and that is it - breadcrumbs without using a food processor.
Variations
- Pan-toasting - if you do not have an oven, another way to toast your bread slices is to do it in a pan.
Storage
Store the breadcrumbs in an airtight container. I keep them in the freezer and as long as water doesn’t get into the container you should be fine.
Tip
- The lighter your bread is and the less time it toasts in the oven, the paler your breadcrumbs will end up looking.
- A great way to test whether the bread slices in the oven are completely dry, is to break them into two. Once the inner bit of the bread is as dry as the outer part then, you're good to go.
Other recipes you will enjoy with fresh bread are:
How To make Breadcrumbs Without A Food Processor Recipe
Ingredients
- stale bread
Instructions
- Cut the bread into equal slices and remove the crust.
- Place the slices into a baking tray or baking pan.
- Toast the slices in an oven over low heat (about 150° Celsius or 302° Fahrenheit). See note 1.
- Once the slices cool down, place them in a zip lock bag or plastic bag.
- Using a rolling pin or glass bottle, crush the slices into smaller pieces until fine. See note 2.
- Place the breadcrumbs into an airtight container.
Video
Notes
- The duration will depend on how dry the bread already is and how thick your slices are. A good tip is to check the slices occasionally, making sure to turn them as you do.
- Zip lock bag are typically thicker than plain rubber/plastic bags. If you are using a rubber bag, make sure to double bag it. The toasted pieces are very sharp and will make tiny holes as you crush or break them with the rolling pin. This is not a big issue, but you don't want your breadcrumbs flying everywhere before you are even done.
- If you are using a glass bottle, rolling it over the toasted slices is a much better option than pounding, as the glass bottle can break.
FAQ
You can use them to bread chicken or meat. You can also toast therewith butter to sprinkle on top of pasta or you can use them in your meatballs.
Dean Allison says
Thank you so much! I love cooking and I decide not to own any machines such as food processors etc. I like to do things the old way so this was very helpful. Now I know how to make breadcrumbs. Hurrah!
Edinam says
That's amazing to hear! Sometimes the old ways are indeed the best ways 🙂
karen Bottom says
Always wanted to make my own breadcrumbs and thank to you I can thank you
Edinam says
You're welcome!
Sarah H says
Thank you for this quick and easy tutorial. I needed breadcrumbs in a hurry and don't own a food processor so I was flummoxed!
Edinam says
You're welcome - I am happy I could help 🙂
jj says
this comes in handy for people who dont have a food procecer
Edinam says
Yes absolutely!
John says
Great method for dry breadcrumbs, but I'd prefer fresh breadcrumbs (meatloaf) I'll try grating frozen bread, see how it goes.
Edinam says
Thank you, do let me know how it goes.