How To Store Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs are commonly used in several dishes for a crunchy topping. You can see this mostly in fried foods, meatballs, crunchy coatings, and pasta. Breadcrumbs are sold pre-made from dried bread, so how do you actually store them at home?
If you do not have an idea, they can be stored for a long time. But they should not be kept too long because they may become stale and hard to use. The best way is to store breadcrumbs is through an airtight container or bag. If you are really serious about storing dried breadcrumbs use a desiccant material such as food-safe silica gel. You may also freeze them, but this is not common.
How to Store Different Types of Breadcrumbs
There are different types of breadcrumbs that you need to know about before storing them properly. Here we go:
1) Whole Grain Crumbs – These are made from whole wheat flour, making them healthier than white ones. They contain more fiber and nutrients like iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, vitamin B6, and more.
2) White Flour Crumbs – This type contains less fat and calories compared to other kinds. It has no nutritional value but is still good enough to add flavor to your food. If you prefer using this kind of breadcrumbs, then you should buy only those without preservatives.
3) Brown Rice Crumbs – These are usually found in Asian cuisine. They are very healthy since brown rice does not contain gluten. However, some people might find their texture slightly chewy.
4) Panko Breadcrumbs – These are Japanese-style breadcrumbs. They are crispy on the outside while soft inside. Their taste is similar to cornbread.
5) Progresso Breadcrumbs – These are Italian bread crumbs. They come in two varieties; regular and garlic flavored. Regular variety comes with salt and pepper seasoning (sometimes with Italian seasoning), whereas the garlic version adds extra garlic flavor. Both versions are great when making pizza crusts and mixed with other Italian seasonings.
6) Fresh Breadcrumbs – These fresh breadcrumbs are available in supermarkets. They are often mixed with herbs and spices. Some brands even include cheese. Made from toasted bread usually.
8) Dry Breadcrumbs – These breadcrumbs are dried out after being baked. They are perfect for adding moisture to recipes.
What can you use for homemade bread crumbs? 
Store Breadcrumbs in an Airtight Jar
Now, let us learn how to store the most common breadcrumbs we use in our homes.
How to Store Dry Breadcrumbs
Dry breadcrumbs can last for months, depending on what ingredients you put in them. For example, if you mix egg whites, milk, butter, and sugar, these breadcrumbs would stay moist for quite a long time. On the contrary, if you bake plain breadcrumbs, then they will get old quickly. So here’s how to store them correctly:
1) Freeze Them – This is an option if you are not going to use them for a long time. Put all the breadcrumbs in freezer bags first.
2) Add Desiccants – Then seal the bags or airtight container tightly so there won’t be any leakage. Make sure the desiccants are food safe.
3) Keep In A Cool Place – After you take out from the freezer – keep the panko bread crumbs or any out of direct sunlight.
4) Use Within 6 Months – Once thawed, remove the breadcrumbs from the fridge and use them within six months.
How to Store Fresh Breadcrumbs
Fresh breadcrumbs should also be stored properly. Here’s how:
1) Refrigerate Option – When buying fresh breadcrumbs, make sure that you keep them refrigerated immediately. Otherwise, they may go bad before you have used them.
2) Seal Tightly – You need to wrap each bag separately because, otherwise, air could seep in between the layers. Also, don’t forget to label the contents clearly.
How to Store Progresso Breadcrumbs
Progresso brand breadcrumbs are made from white flour. But like everything else, they do expire eventually. Here’s how to store them:
1) Label The Bag Properly – Write down the date you bought the product as well as its expiration date.
2) Don’t Reuse Bags – Each package comes with one resealable plastic bag. Do not reuse the same bag more than once or twice.
3) Store It Away From Sunlight – If possible, try storing your breadcrumb products away from sunlight. This way, they’ll remain fresher longer.
How to Store Panko Breadcrumbs
Panko breadcrumbs are Japanese-style breadcrumbs. Unlike other types of breadcrumbs, panko doesn’t contain eggs. Instead, it uses wheat starch as an ingredient. As such, this type of breadcrumbs has a crispy texture, unlike those containing eggs. However, since they are gluten-free, people who have celiac disease shouldn’t eat them.
Here’s how to store panko breadcrumbs:
1) Wrap Up Carefully – Since panko contains no preservatives, it needs to be wrapped carefully when purchasing it.
2) Store It Away From Light And Heat – Like regular breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs must not be exposed to light and heat. Therefore, store them in dark places where there isn’t much exposure to direct sun rays.
How to Store Breadcrumbs in the Freezer
Breadcrumbs can be kept in the freezer for up to three years. Just remember to follow some simple rules:
1) Seal it – Prepare your Ziploc bags and make sure to squeeze out the excess air before storing them in the freezer.
2) Double wrap – double wrap the bag in case you plan to use it for the next several weeks or months. Use aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
3) Store All Products Separately – For best results, separate different kinds of breadcrumbs. That is, if you’re planning on making chicken salad sandwiches, then freeze only chicken salad breadcrumbs.
4) Check On Your Product Regularly – Every few weeks, check whether the breadcrumbs still look good.
Do Breadcrumbs Go Bad
Yes! They do. In fact, most breadcrumbs will start going stale after about six months. So, while you can use them right away, it would probably be better to buy new ones every now and then.
However, even though breadcrumbs tend to get old faster than other foods, they aren’t completely useless. There are ways to prolong their shelf life, such as the methods we have stated above.
How to Tell If Breadcrumbs Have Gone Bad
If you want to know if breadcrumbs have gone bad, all you need to do is smell them. You should notice that they’ve started smelling sour. Also, if you see mold growing on top of the breadcrumbs, then chances are high that they’ve already turned rancid. In addition, if you open a container of breadcrumbs and discover that they don’t seem firm anymore, then it means that they’ve lost their crispness.
Can you freeze Italian pepperoni?
What is the Best Tool for Making Breadcrumbs
The best way to make breadcrumbs is by hand. This method involves cutting slices from your loaf of bread and placing them in a food processor or blender. Then, pulse until fine pieces form. The resulting mixture can either be used immediately or stored in airtight containers.
How to Make Homemade Breadcrumbs (Homemade Breadcrumbs Recipe)
Making homemade bread crumbs requires very little effort. You can use any leftover bread or stale bread stored in your pantry. Here are the things that you need:
Servings: 5
Ingredients:
- 50 slices of whole wheat bread ( or white bread, whole grain bread, French bread pieces, etc.)
Directions:
1. Cut the pieces of bread or bread slices into small cubes.
2. Place the cubed bread into the food processor and blend finely. You can also use a rolling pin to crush them finely into tiny crumbs.
3. Preheat the oven to 125°C (250°F).
4. Arrange the crumbs on the baking sheet and bake into the oven for 10-12 minutes or until dry and crisp.
5. Let the bread cool and store the homemade bread crumbs until ready to be used. Make sure to place them into an airtight container. Refer to the tips above on how to store them properly.
if you want to have seasoned breadcrumbs, you can add black pepper, pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, parsley flakes, garlic powder, and more.
See above for how to store homemade breadcrumbs
What type of bread do you use for bread crumbs?
- dry bread
- gluten free bread
- fresh bread – usually I let it become stale bread first
- panko bread
- sourdough bread
- italian bread
What can I use to add Flavor to Breadcrumbs?
Seasoned breadcrumbs are becoming more popular and are often used in stuffing. You can also season store bought breadcrumbs.
- salt and pepper
- dried herbs
- italian seasoning
- olive oil
- garlic powder