Panko Bread Crumbs

I just love these bread crumbs! Light, fluffy and crunchy. They also prevent your food from soaking up lots of excess oil when frying your food.Seasoned or not they are great. Big problem is they are pricy and you don't really get a lot. I bought a box once, the whole box did four pork chops! They are so simple to make and cheaply too! As you can tell I am big on food processors so if you don't have one you really need to get a good one. If you have one now, get it ready and head to the dollar store for a couple loaves of bread! Let's make panko!

Panko Bread Crumbs

Bread

Spices

Food processor

Small list for such a great product. Here we go.

Insert your shredding blade in your food processor.

Here are my two loaves of bread I got at +ShopRite (Official Page) for a buck each. Just a note, I didn't use the entire two loaves, just 1 and 3/4 of the other. It makes more than you think! Cut about 5 slices in half and feed two halves at a time thru the feeder. 5 slices filled mine up! Transfer to a bowl for the next step. Pre-heat your oven to 270 degrees in the meantime. 

 

Next spread a thin layer of the shredded bread on cookie sheets or what you have available. I used one cookie sheet and my largest pizza pan.

 

Place in oven for about 10 minutes or longer checking often and turning often if you can. You want to just toast them without them turning brown. They will darken somewhat but not a deep brown. 

If you touch them they should be crunch-like. Save the wrapper from your bread and transfer them to that and put another handful on the sheets and repeat till all done.

I almost totally filled one bread sleeve! I made 1 pound and 11 ounces of unflavored crumbs for less than $2.00! If you bought them in the store it would cost you $2.29 or better for 8 ounces!

   At this point you can flavor all of them at once or you many wish to flavor them as you need them. You may be in the mood for Italian or maybe a bit of chipolte with some heat and fire or maybe a cool ranch. Add dry salad dressing mixes for a really great coating or mix up your own. How about a great taco taste...use taco dry mix! Whether you make up your own or use a mix you are still coming out ahead. Here is a simple mix to add.

1 Tablespoon Dry parsley

1 Tsp. Garlic powder

1 Tsp. onion powder

1 Tsp. Rosemary

1 Tsp. Thyme

1 Tablespoon grated cheese

 1 Tsp. salt

1 Tsp. pepper

Mix with about 4 cups of the crumbs. Great for chicken or pork chops.  Keep remaining crumbs in closed bag in dry place.

    The variations are endless to say the least. Also, save yourself some money and shop the Mexican aisle in your grocery store. The spices there seem to be more affordable than in the baking aisle. They come in little bags mostly but take up less room in the spice cabinet or transfer them to some empty jars you may have. Also consider starting a herb garden during the summer and dry your own for the winter months.  I hope you enjoy your Panko bread crumbs! As always if you have any questions let me know!

Enjoy!

Stephanie DelGrippo

www.webdees.com