Clean Eating Bread Crumbs Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest alternative to breadcrumbs? ›

Quinoa flakes are a fantastic replacement for breadcrumbs, particularly for those seeking a gluten-free option. Quinoa is packed with essential amino acids, protein, and fibre. To use quinoa flakes as a breadcrumb substitute, pulse them in a food processor until they resemble breadcrumbs.

Any bread crumbs are only as healthy as the bread used to make them. Plain Jane breadcrumbs from the store are usually "white breadcrumbs" - equivalent to white bread. Not so healthy. Keep healthy, 100% whole grain bread on hand, and use this recipe to make breadcrumbs.

Slice your bread before it dries out (it's easier). Let it dry, then grate the slices on the large holes of a box grater. Alternative method: wrap dry bread in a dish cloth and smash it to bits with a rolling pin.

Cornflakes or Bran Cereals

Their light and airy, but still crisp, texture makes them a good panko crumbs alternative. Most brands of plain cornflakes also happen to be gluten-free, so they'll work for anyone with a wheat sensitivity or Celiac disease.

Believe it or not, panko breadcrumbs are healthier than golden/natural breadcrumbs. That's right. Despite your parents' constant proselytising about crusts being the most nutritious part of the bread, crust-less panko breadcrumbs are lower in fat, salt and calories than regular breadcrumbs.

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.

If a recipe for meatloaf or meatballs calls for bread crumbs, you may have success swapping it out for rolled oats or oat flour. Oats by weight are also lower in calories, provide more complex carbohydrates, and are a richer source of dietary fiber than bread crumbs, making them a nutritionally sound substitute.

Panko is lower in calories, fat, and sodium than regular breadcrumbs. This makes it a great healthier alternative to normal bread crumbs when you are preparing a dish. I love using panko bread crumbs as a coating, because the flakes are larger which provides a more defined texture to your dish.

Rolled Oats

Oats are the perfect substitutes for breadcrumbs in meatballs or meatloaf. While they aren't ideal for a crispy coating, they add the right amount of texture to bind meat, eggs and flavorings together into a delicious Italian-inspired feast.

How to make something crispy without breadcrumbs? ›

Nuts Or Seeds

Sunflower seeds, almonds, and sesame seeds are all great breadcrumb alternatives. Chop larger nuts finely in a food processor. Seeds like sesame are already small enough and can be used as is. Use a variety of nuts as a coating for chicken, fish, or pork; just pulse them finely so they will stick.

You can make low-carb keto breadcrumbs without eggs and flour by using alternative ingredients such as almond flour, coconut flour, psyllium husk, or ground flaxseed. These ingredients can be mixed with seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs to create a flavorful breadcrumb substitute.

Homemade breadcrumbs are a great way to use up leftover or stale bread. Add dried-out bread to a food processor or blender and pulse to make crumbs, or grate using a box grater. Store them in the fridge or freezer, and use them to add a tasty crunch to savory and sweet dishes.

Blitz almonds, hazelnuts, sesame seeds, in the food processor, and you can use them as breading material. But be careful: These delicate nut flours burn quickly and at lower temperatures than grain-based flours. Mix them with AP flour or panko to ensure against bitter and burnt flavors.