Homemade Sourdough Breadcrumbs (From Leftovers)

Published Categorized as Sourdough Bread Recipes

If you’re wondering what to do with your leftover sourdough bread, why not turn them into crumbly breadcrumbs! They’re super easy to make and incredibly versatile. Sprinkle them over your salad, or stews for a fantastic, textured and flavorful addition to your meal. Here’s how to make homemade sourdough breadcrumbs.

Table of Contents

Homemade sourdough breadcrumbs from leftovers

What is the Best Bread to Use for Bread Crumbs?

When planning to make a batch of delicious homemade breadcrumbs, you’re probably wondering what kind of bread makes the best, flavorful crumbs.

You’ll be pleased to know that, delicious bread crumbs come from a variety of bread, or rolls. Whenever you find that you have a stale loaf of bread, simply transform it into coarse crumbs, then toast or freeze them till you’re ready to eat them.

Here are some breads, that make wonderful breadcrumbs:

  • Sourdough
  • French
  • Rye
  • Whole wheat
  • Leftover hot dog/hamburger buns

How to Make Homemade Sourdough Bread Crumbs

Once you’ve managed to make your first load of fresh breadcrumbs, you’ll never go back to store bought breadcrumbs again! It’s super simple to make. Since you’ll be using bread that you won’t normally eat; a great way to minimize waste.

The process of creating homemade breadcrumbs includes:

  • Choosing the Bread
  • Drying
  • Processing
  • Fine Crumbs

Choosing the Bread

The first element you’ll need is leftover sourdough bread. They don’t have to be the same size, larger and smaller pieces are always welcome! You can even include the crusts and dried out slices, the beauty of the bread isn’t important in this recipe.

So gather your pieces of bread, and cut the larger pieces into smaller, more manageable pieces

Drying

Once your sourdough bread has been cut into smaller pieces, arrange them on a parchment lined baking sheet. You can leave them to dry out at room temperature for 24 hours. Or if you’re in a hurry, you can speed up the process using your oven.

Simply preheat your oven to 300 degrees F and bake the sourdough pieces. It’ll take about 20 minutes, removing them after 10 minutes, to flip the pieces over, allowing them to bake on the other side.

Processing

Allow the bread pieces to cool, until they’re warm when touched. Add them to a food processor bowl, then pulse on high speed, until they’ve broken down into coarse crumbs.

Spread these crumbs onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake in an oven for 15 minutes. Remove them from the oven and move the crumbs around, and try to flip them over, then return them to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven, and allow your breadcrumbs to cool down. If they’re warm when doing the next step you’ll end up with condensation, which can cause more moisture, then mould. For this reason, you’ll need to ensure that your breadcrumbs are as dry and cool as possible. Try to leave them for several hours.

Fine Crumbs

Once your homemade breadcrumbs have cooled entirely, add them back to the bowl of your food processor, and process on high speed, until they’ve achieved a fine and broken down consistency.

Seasoned Breadcrumbs

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and toast your homemade breadcrumbs in a little olive oil. Add thyme, salt and ground black pepper and cook stirring constantly for 5 minutes until the breadcrumbs have become crisp and golden brown.

Transfer these seasoned breadcrumbs to an airtight container, and store atop your kitchen counter for up to one week.

Can You Make Bread Crumbs Without a Food Processor?

You can certainly make breadcrumbs without a food processor with a high powered blender.

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However, if you don’t have any appliance to help crush the bread pieces then simply place your sourdough bread pieces into a freezer bag, and use a heavy rolling pin to crush the bread into crumbs. Roll back and forth, shaking the bag every now and then, so that you can crush all of the sourdough bread pieces.

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Different Ways to Use Bread Crumbs

Breadcrumbs bring a certain vibrancy to any meal, with their incredible texture, that doesn’t go unappreciated.

  • Sprinkle breadcrumbs over pasta dishes
  • Use breadcrumbs as a salad topping
  • Add them to macaroni and cheese before serving
  • Mix them into meatballs or meat loaf
  • Mix them into fish cakes
  • Use as a topping for stuffed vegetables
  • Coat meat with them for extra crunch

How to Store Leftover Bread Crumbs?

Once you’ve transformed your stale sourdough bread pieces into breadcrumbs, slip them into a plastic bag and pop them into the freezer.

They may lose some of their flavor when frozen, but they can last indefinitely when frozen.

When you’re ready to use them, remove the breadcrumbs from the freezer and transfer them to the oven, or skillet for toasting.

Sourdough and Gluten Sensitivity

By now you’re probably aware of sourdough bread and its incredible versatility. Moreover, sourdough breadcrumbs are a great option for those that are sensitive to gluten.

Sourdough isn’t necessarily gluten free, and should not be consumed by anyone who suffers from celiac disease. However, those who have encountered some gluten sensitivities find that it’s much easier to digest. Thus, it’s an incredible addition to other dishes, whilst ensuring that you won’t have a bad reaction.

Homemade sourdough breadcrumbs

Sourdough Bread Crumbs are Super Easy

These leftover sourdough breadcrumbs will quickly make it to your list of favorite recipes. A great way to create flavorful breadcrumbs that can elevate many main dishes, with their incredible crunchy texture, and distinct tangy taste, you’ll find yourself making a batch of crispy breadcrumbs very often!

FAQs

Is Sourdough Good For Breadcrumbs?

You can use any old bread to make breadcrumbs, however sourdough bread is probably best, as you’ll find that your crisp crumbs are incredibly flavourful, therefore complementing your dishes beautifully.

What Does Crumb Mean in Sourdough Bread?

The crumb refers to the size and holes of the loaf. Sourdough bread typically have an open and irregular crumb.

How do You Make Fake Breadcrumbs?

Fake breadcrumbs are made using ingredients that don’t include bread, for instance, almonds, cereal, or crushed pretzels. Simply place your chosen ingredient into a food processor and pulse until you’ve reached the desired consistency.

By Natasha Krajnc

Hi! My name is Natasha and I'm specialized in home sourdough bread baking and currently based in Slovakia - a very small country in Central Europe. My bread baking story began in 2011 when I decided to give up commercial yeast. I felt tired all the time (especially after eating bread and other foods made with yeast), I wasn’t motivated to do anything, had trouble concentrating throughout the day, my abdomen was bloated and I was like a trumpet on steroids – basically, I was quite a wreck. I was a big bread lover (and still am) and having to stop eating bread was quite hard at that time but I felt I was on a right way to give my body a chance to heal itself.

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