Home Test Kitchen Test Kitchen Tips
Updated: May 02, 2023
Don't run out to the store for a last-minute ingredient! Use a genius substitute for bread crumbs instead.
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Pretzels
Pretzels are a great all-purpose substitute for bread crumbs. You can pulse them in a food processor until they’re super-fine and use them as a binder for meatballs or meatloaf. Or keep them coarser for a crispy coating on fried food. Keep in mind that pretzels are usually saltier than bread crumbs, so you may want to reduce the salt in the recipe for this swap.
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Crushed Nuts
Any variety of nuts will work for this swap, so try mixing and matching your favorites! They will stick best as a coating when they’re chopped super-fine in a food processor, and they’re especially delicious when used on chicken or fish recipes.
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Crackers
Crushed-up crackers make an excellent bread crumb substitute in baked dishes like meatballs or meatloaf. The crackers work just as well as the bread crumbs to hold the meat mixture together, and using varieties like salty saltines or buttery Ritz is a great way to add an extra burst of flavor to your dish.
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Rolled Oats
Oats are a fantastic healthy swap-in for bread crumbs, and they can be a gluten-free alternative if you’re choosy with your oats. Simply place them in the food processor and pulse until they become a fine powder. They don’t have as much flavor as bread crumbs, so we recommend spicing up crushed oats with herbs or seasonings when using it as a coating.
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Potato Chips
The best part about using potato chips as a bread crumb substitute the way their ability to add zesty flavor. This is especially true if you choose barbecue or onion flavored chips! Crush the potato chips in a bag or pulse them in a food processor until they resemble fine bread crumbs. Try them on chicken strips like we did here.
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Fresh Bread
If you have bread around, you have bread crumbs! You can use any bread you like, including gluten-free options. Keep in mind that you’ll need to use about twice as much fresh bread, as the dried bread crumbs are more concentrated and take up less space in a measuring cup. Or, you can dry the bread first to make homemade bread crumbs.
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Cornflakes
Most unsweetened cereal works well as a bread crumb substitute, but cornflakes are our favorite — especially when we’re making chicken! Cornflakes have a delicate flavor and an ultra-crispy texture. The easiest way to turn them into crumbs is to place them into a large bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
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Almond Flour
Almond flour (sometimes sold as almond meal) has a coarse texture and a nutty flavor, making it a great gluten-free substitute for bread crumbs. You can use it in meatball or meatloaf mixture, but we especially like using it to dredge meats like pork chops to create a crispy exterior.
Next, try cooking with another gluten-free substitute—chestnut flour.
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Cooked Rice
This substitute definitely won’t work on fried foods; cooked rice is too mushy to crisp up, even if you fry it at high temperatures. But if you’re making a dish like meatballs or meatloaf, cooked rice works as a perfect binder. If you’re not convinced, try these stuffed cabbage rolls, and you’ll be sold!
Originally Published: December 11, 2019
Author
Lindsay D. Mattison
Lindsay has been a food writer, recipe developer and product tester for seven years. She’s a culinary school graduate who specializes in sustainable food and seasonal ingredients. She draws on her professional chef background to develop recipes and help home cooks gain confidence in the kitchen. When Lindsay isn’t writing, you’ll find her coo...
