Why Substitute Breadcrumbs in a Recipe?
A gluten sensitivity could render the main ingredient in breadcrumbs off-limits for some. Or maybe you want to make a dish more nutritious, offers Burgess, who says nuts, seeds, or quinoa beat breadcrumbs on that front. Other times, you may run out of breadcrumbs and midway through a recipe that calls for them—in which case, rest assured that there are plenty of alternatives you can use in a pinch.
How Can Substituting Breadcrumbs Effect Flavor?
Homemade breadcrumbs can taste very neutral in composed dishes, but certain breadcrumb replacements—think coconut flakes or almond flour—will produce nutty tasting notes that may produce an unexpected flavor. If you’re used to seasoned breadcrumbs and swap for an alternative below, you might need to add your own seasonings to emulate a familiar flavor.
Should You Modify a Recipe When Substituting Breadcrumbs?
The answer is sometimes: “Breadcrumbs help to absorb water and hold products or coatings together, so if your substitute isn’t great at absorbing water, such as crushed nuts, you may need to include less liquid in the recipe,” Burgess says. But that’s not all: “If you are using nut flours such as almond flour, they tend to burn quicker in the oven,” she warns, meaning you’ll have to reduce your cooking time.
The Best Breadcrumb Substitutes
Almond flour
Gluten-free and full of fiber and vitamin E, almond flour is a sublime stand-in for breadcrumbs when you’re cooking for someone with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance, Burgess says.
Rolled oats
With more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than your average slice of stale bread, 2/3 cup of rolled oats is a creative swap for 1/4 breadcrumbs. Just avoid this swap when your plan involves deep-frying: “Oats may not be a good substitute because they tend to not crisp up as well as other foods,” Burgess says.
Nuts
When you’d typically use breadcrumbs to add a crunch to pastas, mac and cheese, or salads, crushed nuts will do the trick while adding healthy fats to the mix. Burgess swears by nut-crusted salmon or nut-coated chicken—try walnuts, pecans, or pistachios.
Quinoa
When toasted and seasoned with your favorite herbs and spices, quinoa delivers a satisfying crunch with more fiber and protein than breadcrumbs, Burgess says.
Seeds
Like breadcrumbs, flax and chia seeds have great water-binding properties, which makes them excellent substitutes for breadcrumbs in meatballs—particularly if you want to infuse yours with extra fiber and healthy fats.
Coconut flakes
“Coconut flakes are a great alternative to breadcrumbs because they provide a satisfying crunch and an added coconut flavor that may work really well in certain dishes like shrimp or onion rings,” Burgess says. Although coconut flakes aren’t great at absorbing the liquids that keep meatballs and meatloaf moist, they’re ideal for meat coatings.
Chickpea crumbs
A grain-free alternative to breadcrumbs, you can make these at home: Pulse drained chickpeas in a food processor until they form big chunks, roast at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, then pulse again before returning to the oven for 15 more minutes, as per a Pass The Plants recipe that suggests using chickpea crumbs to coat onion rings.
Nutritional yeast flakes
An inactive form of yeast with a cheesy flavor, nutritional yeast flakes can be used as a binder, topping, or coating in place of breast crumbs, although you might want to use less than the amount of breadcrumbs called for since the yeast will have a stronger flavor.
Crushed crackers
There’s a reason you get more than one million results when you google Saltine breadcrumbs recipe: The salty crunch works well in meatloaf and makes a memorable crusted chicken.
Crushed pretzels
Like crushed crackers, pretzel crumbs bring a certain saltiness chicken tenders and even burgers.
Nutritional yeast flakes
An inactive form of a yeast with a cheesy flavor, nutritional yeast flakes can be used as a binder, topping, or coating in place of breast crumbs, although you might want to use less than the amount of breadcrumbs called for since the yeast will have a stronger flavor.
Crushed chips
If you like chips on the side, you’ll love them in your next casserole as a substitution for breadcrumbs: They lend a salty crunch when used as a crust or coating for chicken tenders.
Crushed cereal
While you might not think of Cornflakes and boneless wings as a match made in heaven, unsweetened breakfast cereal delivers on crunch when used instead of breadcrumbs to coat fish or chicken in recipes such as salt and vinegar boneless wings.
Potato flour
Because potato flour attracts and holds water, it can easily stand in for breadcrumbs as a binder and moisture-maker.
Shredded cheese
Keto fans will appreciate trading breadcrumbs in for cheese, which can help bind ground meat while cutting down carbs and amping up fat content—and of course, flavor.
Cornstarch
When combined with flour and seasoning, cornstarch can make a crust that’s just as good as a breadcrumb-based alternative, in part because it prevents gluten development for a crisper and more moist result.
Rice
Lest leftover takeout white or brown rice goes to waste, mix it on into ground meat when making meatballs or meatloaf: It will help bind the ingredients and retain moisture for juicier results.
Panko
Made from crustless white bread, these commercially-available Japanese-style breadcrumbs have larger flakes and produce crunchier fried foods than standard breadcrumbs. Check out…15 Caffeine Alternatives16 Shelf-Stable Milk Alternatives9 Best Shortening Substitutes
