Breadcrumbs are an essential ingredient in many recipes. They are used as a binding agent, a coating, a thickener, and a topping.

They give texture and flavor to dishes like meatballs, burgers, casseroles, and fried foods. However, not everyone has a food processor at home, and even if you do, sometimes you might not want to use it.

Maybe it’s too noisy, too messy, or too bulky. Or maybe you want to challenge yourself and try a new technique. Whatever your reason is, you can how to make breadcrumbs without a food processor, and I’ll show you how.

In this article, I’ll share five creative ways to make breadcrumbs using simple tools and ingredients that you may have in your kitchen already.

Traditional Method Of Making Breadcrumbs With A Food Processor

Before I dive into the alternative methods, let’s review the traditional way to make breadcrumbs with food processor. It’s quick, easy, and foolproof, as long as you have stale bread.

Fresh bread won’t work well because it’s too soft and moist and will clump instead of crumble. Stale bread, on the other hand, is dry and crumbly, and it will yield a fine texture. Here’s how to do it:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Cut your stale bread into cubes or slices, removing any crust or seeds.
• Spread the bread pieces evenly on a baking sheet and bake them for 10-15 minutes or until they are crispy and golden brown.
• Let the bread cool completely on the sheet or a wire rack.
• Transfer the bread to a food processor or a blender.
• Pulse the bread in short bursts until it turns into fine crumbs. Avoid over-processing, or you’ll end up with bread flour.
• Store the breadcrumbs in an airtight box in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to use.

5 Creative Ways How To Make Breadcrumbs Without A Food Processor

If you don’t possess a food processor or don’t want to use it, don’t worry. You can still make breadcrumbs using other tools that are equally effective and fun. Here are five how to make soft bread crumbs methods to try:

• Method 1: Using A Rolling Pin And Plastic Bag

This method is perfect if you only need a small amount of breadcrumbs and don’t want to dirty too many dishes.

All you need is a rolling pin, a plastic bag, and some bread. Here’s how to do it:

• Cut your bread into small pieces, removing any crust or seeds.
• Place the bread pieces into a plastic bag, seal it, and press out the air.
• Lay the bag in a flat place, like a cutting board or a countertop.
• Roll the rolling pin over the bag, pressing firmly and evenly, until the bread turns into fine crumbs.
• Open the bag, pour the crumbs into a bowl, and discard the bag.
• Use the breadcrumbs immediately or store them in an airtight box in the fridge or freezer.

• Method 2: Using A Cheese Grater

This method is ideal if you want to make soft or coarse breadcrumbs, depending on the size of the grater holes.

It’s also handy if you have leftover bread that is too small or odd-shaped to fit into a food processor. Here’s how to make breadcrumbs without stale bread with a cheese grater:

• Grate your bread on a cheese grater’s coarse or fine side, depending on your preference. Depending on the recipe, you can leave the crust on or remove it.
• Collect the grated crumbs in a bowl or on a plate.
• Fluff the crumbs with a fork or your fingers to break up any clumps.
• Use the breadcrumbs immediately or store them in an airtight box in the fridge or freezer.

•  Method 3: Using A Mortar And Pestle

This method is the most traditional and the most satisfying. It’s also the most labor-intensive, but it’s worth it if you want to feel like a medieval cook or impress your guests with your culinary skills. Here’s how to make breadcrumbs without a food processor:

• Cut your bread into small pieces, removing any crust or seeds.
• Place the bread pieces into a mortar, a bowl, or any other sturdy container that can withstand pounding.
• Hold the pestle with both hands and pound the bread with a circular motion, pressing down firmly and evenly. Rotate the container as needed to reach all the bread pieces.
• Keep pounding until the bread turns into fine crumbs. It may take several minutes, depending on the bread’s hardness and the mortar’s size.
• Transfer the crumbs to a bowl, and sift them through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any large pieces or debris.
• Use the breadcrumbs immediately or store them in an airtight box in the fridge or freezer.

•  Method 4: Using A Food Mill Or Sieve

This how to make breadcrumbs by hand method is similar to the mortar and pestle method, but it’s less strenuous and more precise.

It’s also great if you want to make breadcrumbs from other dry ingredients, such as crackers, chips, or nuts. Here’s how to do it:

• Cut your bread or other dry ingredients into small pieces, removing any crust or seeds.
• Place the pieces into a food mill or a fine-mesh sieve.
• Turn the crank or press the material through the sieve with a spoon or a spatula.
• Collect the crumbs in a bowl or on a plate.
• Use the breadcrumbs immediately or store them in an airtight box in the fridge or freezer.

• Method 5: Using A Blender Or Food Chopper

This method is the most powerful and efficient, as it can handle large batches of bread in seconds.

It’s also the most versatile, as you can control the texture and size of the breadcrumbs with different blades or speeds. Here’s how to make breadcrumbs with a blender:

• Cut your bread into cubes or slices, removing any crust or seeds.
• Place the bread into a blender or a food chopper.
• Pulse the bread in short bursts until it turns into fine or coarse crumbs, depending on your preference.
• Scrape the sides of the container as needed to ensure even processing.
• Use the breadcrumbs immediately or store them in an airtight box in the fridge or freezer.

Tips For Storing And Using Homemade Breadcrumbs

No matter which how to make breadcrumbs quickly technique you pick, here are some tips for storing and using your homemade breadcrumbs:

• Use them as soon as possible to preserve their freshness and flavor.
• If you need to store them, keep them in an airtight bowl in the fridge for a week or in the freezer for three months.
• Label the container with the date and the type of breadcrumbs, so you can easily identify them later.
• If you want to make flavored breadcrumbs, add herbs, spices, cheese, or other seasonings to the bread before processing it.
• If you want to make gluten-free breadcrumbs, use gluten-free bread or crackers instead of wheat-based ones.
• To make panko-style breadcrumbs, use white bread or brioche instead of whole-wheat or rye bread.
• To make sweet breadcrumbs, use sweet bread or pastry instead of savory bread.

Conclusion 

How to make breadcrumbs without a food processor is not only possible but also fun and rewarding.

Depending on your recipe and preference, you can use a rolling pin, a cheese grater, a mortar and pestle, a food mill, or a blender to turn stale bread into fine or coarse crumbs.

Each method has its own advantages and challenges, but they all work well if you follow the instructions and experiment a little.

So, next time you run out of breadcrumbs or want to try something new, don’t hesitate to get crumbly and make your own. Your dishes will thank you for it.

Do you have your own favorite method of making breadcrumbs? Have you tried any of the methods I shared? Do you have any tips to add?

I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. And if you liked this article on how to make breadcrumbs with toaster, please share it with your friends and followers on social media. Happy cooking!

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