Truth be told, I am a panko freak. Regular breadcrumbs don’t even do it for me anymore. So when I stumbled upon this method for homemade panko, I practically leapt with joy. It may be lacking in the butter and sugar department, but it is essential. I knew I needed to share it with you.
Panko can be quite expensive and the packages are so tiny that I can plow through an entire one while making a single batch of healthy chicken fingers. Now that I can make my own? I’m going to bread everything with panko. Get ready for panko breaded bacon.
This could not be more simple. All you do is cut the bread into strips, attach the “shredder” on your food processor and feed the bread through.
See how the crumbs are bigger?
Lay them on a baking sheet and bake until just crispy – but not brown.
And you have easy, quick whole wheat panko! I had no idea it was so simple.
Homemade Whole Wheat Panko
makes about 3-4 cups
8 slices of 100% whole wheat bread
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Cut the bread into strips. Using the shredder attachment on your food processor, feed the bread into the machine. One you are done shredding, lay the crumbs out on a baking sheet. Bake for about 6-8 minutes, shaking and tossing every 2 minutes or so. You don’t want the crumbs to be brown, just crispy.
Last night I used these panko crumbs to make asiago breaded pork chops and we devoured them like we had never seen food before. Are you riding the panko train yet? If not, I really encourage you to try them. I have only had great success and absolutely love the texture they provide!
I’m Jessica and this is where I share my stuff. You will find a balance of healthy recipes, comfort food and indulgent desserts.
oh yay! Thanks for sharing! I love panko but hate all the additives that are in most of the store bought ones… this is the perfect solution!!
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My Mom has become quite the panko freak as well – she doesn’t even use regular breadcrumbs anymore! I’m sure she will appreciate this considering a little box of panko is $12! :-P
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I looooove panko breadcrumbs! These look great! And how easy?!?
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Can you believe I’ve never even used the shredder attachment for my food processor before?
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What a fantastic recipe – sure beats the store bought breadcrumbs I buy!
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Love love love panko- so happy to see there’s a DIY version! Thanks, girl.
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I’ve never had panko…where have I been??
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i LOVE panko! awesome to know it’s so easy…i have 2 loaves of bread i’ll be making these with!
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Oh my mother uses panko crumbs and has been ever since I can remember! She hasn’t brought it out lately, though. I might make some and bake something with it, yay!
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panko is ridiculously expensive for a tiny box…but its so wonderful! I had no idea it’d be so easy to make at home. I’ve got to try this
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I’m definitely riding the panko train too! I wasn’t sure though if the ones I was using were whole wheat – but thanks to you I’ll just make my own now! I’ve also been riding the Triscuit train lately… in crushed up form, they make an amazing crust!!
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Your photos are looking INCREDIBLE! I love both the lighting and the composition.
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Jessica — October 27th, 2010 @ 6:12 am
Thank you so much!
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Ekkkk – I’ve made your Asiago chops before and they are delish (and man approved) :-)
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I’m a big fan of panko and I love making my own breadcrumbs… but (go figure) I’ve never made homemade panko breadcrumbs. Great idea to toast the freshly processed bread crumbs in order to achieve that great crunchy panko texture!
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Genius!
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OMG- thanks for sharing this Jessica! I go through panko breadcrumbs like water, too! You are amazing! :-)
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panko breadcrumbs are my favorite! thanks for this easy recipe!
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How cool is it that you posted this today. I am making my mom a birthday dinner today, and topping macaroni and cheese with panko bread crumbs. I pulled out the canister and said to her, “Look! Panko bread crumbs!” and she said, “What are panko bread crumbs?” and I died a little inside.
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Chrissy — October 27th, 2010 @ 5:28 am
Odd… after re-reading the post and all the replies, I must either be really lucky or have crappy panko… because an oat-like canister of panko crumbs at my grocery store is about $5.
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Jessica — October 27th, 2010 @ 6:11 am
That is really expensive for how much panko I go through!
what?! that’s IT?! That was incredibly easy!
But I don’t have a shredder in my food processor ):
Thanks anyway for showing us!
-Amalia
http://buttersweetmelody.wordpress.com
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I actually just got two free loaves of bread in the mail, so I know what I am making ;)
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Amalia,
I don’t have a shredder on mine either but I find that toasting and then pusling the torn up pieces of toast in the food processor gets close to the same result… just have to do smaller batches… :)
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Any suggestions on how to make this without a shredder/food processor?
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Holly @ couchpotatoathlete — October 27th, 2010 @ 6:12 am
Ha! I just saw Amalia/Natalie’s comments :)
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I’ve never tried panko, and I keep forgetting to pick some up. I had no idea making my own would be so easy!
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Wow I had no idea that it would be that easy!
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Holy moly. I love panko. I pay like three bucks for those little packages. My wallet loves you right now.
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I had no idea panko breadcrumbs were so easy! Kudos to you!
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I love when you stumble upon something that you thought you would never be able to make and then it turns out it’s like the easiest thing in the world pretty much. Making my own nut butter was like that and now so are these panko crumbs! I can’t wait to start panko-ing it up! Thanks!
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How seriously easy is this?! Nuts! Do they resemble the real thing pretty well?
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Jessica — October 27th, 2010 @ 7:30 am
Yes! I’d say they are 99% like the ones I buy. The only difference I found was that I left the crust on so there were some crust parts in the crumbs. I didn’t mind, but I have never had any parts like that in the store bought ones.
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You’re right, homemade breadcrumbs are such a smart idea for your wallet and waistline.
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I always prefer panko to regular bread crumbs. Glad you weighed in about how well they resemble the real thing. I was curious about that as well.
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That’s so cool! I have an unnatural love for using the shredding and grating attachment on my food processor! Any recipe that requires I use it just makes me happy.
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I can’t eait to see all the new panko breaded goodies that come out of your kitchen!
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This is such a creative idea for homemade crumbs, Jessica – With all the panko crumbs I go through, this will definitely come in handy. Thanks for sharing!
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i never would have thought to make panko crumbs from scratch! thanks:-)
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Asiago breaded pork chops sound SO good. I need to start making my own panko breadcrumbs – it looks easy enough for even me to handle! I definitely prefer panko breadcrumbs over regular ones!
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I always make my own breadcrumbs, but I’ve never baked them and I think this is what I’m lacking! Thanks for the tip!
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This sure beats paying $5 for a small container at Stop & Shop
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that’s the easiest, cheapest, best recipe EVER. :)
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What a great idea! Can’t wait to try this! :)
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YOU are amazing!!!! I must try this!!!
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It’s amazing how paying attention to the little details can really make a dish!
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Seems so eaaaaaasy :) Will def have to try that out. Wonder how long it’ll stay fresh..?
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I thought panko was some fancy thing…I didn’t know it was just ground up bread!! that seems fool proof…knowing me I will proably burn the bread though! lol
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Panko crumbs are definitely the best!
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You know what else would work for homemade panko? Rice Krispies, crushed. And then you can use the rest for Rice Krispies treats. Don’t hate me. :)
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A few years ago I was all about panko! Since finding out I’m allergic to gluten, I’ve substituted oats a lot in place of panko/breadcrumbs. You should try it, I love the unique flavor the oats provide!
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Husband is over here asking me questions about yo crumbs!
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This is how I always make breadcrumbs, I always thought it was the only way to make them! What are ‘regular’ breadcrumbs like then?
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Jessica — October 27th, 2010 @ 2:44 pm
Panko breadcrumbs are bigger and flakier, and used for a very crunchy coating. You can read more about them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panko
I also use my food processor for regular breadcrumbs, but I toast the bread first then grind them all the way so they are literally tiny crumbs.
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This is such a great idea. I love panko bread crumbs. So good!
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I love panko too, what a great idea to make it homemade.
Emma
TheSidewalkIsMyRunway
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