How To Make Gluten Free Bread Crumbs - 3 Easy Recipes (2024)

I think that one of the worst things about transitioning to a gluten free diet was wondering what the heck I was going to do to replace bread crumbs! I mean, gluten free bread crumbs just sounds like an oxymoron. It totally baffled my mind because suddenly the gluten free bread that I bought was too expensive to turn into bread crumbs and the gluten free bread crumb alternatives in the store tasted awful. It's time to take the bread out of bread crumbs!

Flavor profile shouldn't have to suffer

I am a huge believer in seasoning every layer of a dish to build a depth of flavor. If one of the main components of a dish is lack-luster it will bring everything else down with it. Just because we are gluten free doesn't mean we can't have tasty bread crumbs, it just means we have to think out of the bread box a little. (Like what I did there?! ) Today I am sharing my (3) go-to gluten free bread crumb alternatives that I use ALL of the time without fail. I never ever use actual gluten free bread and they are ready in about a minute or less. Grab your food processors friends and let's get to work!

Keeping it simple

In this post I am going to share with you how I make seasoned bread crumbs, plain bread crumbs, and my version of panko. I think you will be shocked once you see how simple these little gluten free bread crumb recipes are because when I figured them out it was a "Duh!" moment for me. The ingredients had literally been staring at me from my pantry for as long as we had been gluten free. I am sure at least one of these will resonate with you too or possibly get you thinking about what you might already have in your pantry that could stand in for the bread in bread crumbs.

An easy vegan option

My husband is vegetarian, and we eat that way most of the time. What I love about the 'recipes' below is that not only are they vegetarian - but also vegan. Now, mileage will vary here of course - so be sure to double check your preferred starter ingredient to be sure it suits your personal needs.

Types of gluten free bread crumbs (seasoned, plain and panko)

Gluten Free Seasoned Bread Crumbs

I make gluten free seasoned bread crumbs with gluten free pretzels and Italian seasoning. Sometimes I even use the pretzels as bread crumbs without the added seasoning. Check out my Tex Mex Beet Burgers for some inspiration. It is important to remember when using these bread crumbs that you need to adjust for the salt in the rest of the dish since pretzels tend to be pretty salty to begin with.

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Plain Gluten Free Bread Crumbs

To make unseasoned gluten free bread crumbs I use Crispy Brown Rice Cereal. I adjust the size of the crumbs based on what I am making. For instance, my Artichoke Gratinata uses these bread crumbs, but I crushed them by hand instead of in the food processor so that the topping for my dish would have a nice texture to it.

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What is Panko?

This is a question you might be asking or even wondering if panko is gluten free to start with? Simply put, panko is a Japanese term for a flaky crumb and is traditionally used in fried food or to accent a dish in need of a crunchy texture. While it can sometimes be gluten free, the type you might buy in the store is not. Which leads me to the cool fact of the day: It's actually made from bread baked by electrical current, which yields a bread without a crust! It's then ground to create fine slivers of crumb. Our gluten free panko is not nearly that elaborate! But it sure is tasty.

Gluten Free Panko

To make my gluten free panko I use plain Rice Chex cereal. It isn't a perfect substitute for breading although it works, but it is great for topping casseroles when panko is called for. I have been known to sprinkle a few handfuls over the top of my White Bean, Spinach, and Brown Rice Couscous Bake and it always receives rave reviews from our friends and family!

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What types of breading do you use in your gluten-free cooking?