Have you ever found yourself with a bunch of leftover bread that’s starting to get stale or hard? Don’t throw it away! Instead, transform it into breadcrumbs and use them to create new recipes. This is a great way to reduce food waste and make the most out of your ingredients. Personally, I often do this with my leftover sourdough loaves since they don’t keep as long as processed breads that have added ingredients to extend their shelf life.

Breadcrumbs are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from adding texture to a dish, like topping macaroni and cheese, to creating crispy snacks like mozzarella sticks, and much more. In this blog post, I will share some examples of how to transform stale bread into breadcrumbs and use them to create delicious and innovative dishes.

The Process

Making breadcrumbs is simple and can be done with any type of bread, including sliced bread. Here are the basic steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Cut the bread into small pieces and place them in a food processor or blender.
3. Pulse the bread until it turns into coarse crumbs.
4. Spread the breadcrumbs in a single layer on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are dry and lightly toasted. Stir the breadcrumbs every 5 minutes to ensure even toasting.
6. Let the breadcrumbs cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.

Alternatively, you can cut the bread into small pieces and toast them in the oven first. Then, when they cool, you can pulse them into crumbs in a food processor or blender.

Using the breadcrumbs

Battering

One of the most popular uses of breadcrumbs is to create a crispy and flavorful coating for fried or baked foods. Whether you’re making mozzarella sticks, onion rings, or chicken tenders, coating your food with breadcrumbs can take your dish to the next level.

Below I am using my sourdough breadcrumbs to create air-fried jalapenos. To achieve an extra crispy coating, I used the double battering process. First, I dipped the sliced jalapenos in an egg wash mixture, then coated them in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture. After that, I dipped them again in the egg wash mixture and gave them a final coat in the breadcrumb mixture. The result is a thick and crunchy coating that makes these air-fried jalapenos the perfect vehicle for some rich, savory dip!

Texture

Breadcrumbs are an excellent ingredient to add texture to different dishes. They can transform a plain and soft-textured dish into a crunchy and crispy delight, making it more visually appealing and satisfying to eat.

Below I am using my sourdough breadcrumbs to top baked cabbage slices to add a delightful texture. To make this dish, I start by seasoning the cabbage slices with salt and pepper. Next, I top the cabbage slices with a delicious mixture of parmesan cheese and my sourdough breadcrumbs. Then, the dish is baked in the oven at 350F until the cabbage is cooked through, and the breadcrumb topping is golden and crispy.

Binding agent & fillings

Breadcrumbs are a versatile ingredient that can be used as a binding agent or filling to improve the texture and flavor of your dishes in a cost-effective and easy way. Not only do they help hold ingredients together, but they can also absorb excess moisture and prevent a dish from becoming too soggy, making them an excellent addition to recipes like meatballs, patties, and stuffing.

Below is a burger I made with sourdough breadcrumbs mixed into the patty. The freshly ground meat for the patty was a bit too moist to handle, but adding breadcrumbs helped to bind the ingredients together and prevent the burgers from falling apart during cooking. Breadcrumbs also absorb excess moisture, preventing the burgers from becoming too dense or mushy.

In conclusion, turning leftover bread into breadcrumbs is a great way to reduce food waste and create new and interesting recipes. With a little creativity, breadcrumbs can truly transform a dish. So next time you have leftover bread, don’t throw it away – transform it into breadcrumbs and let it live its next best life!