Stale bread is one of the most commonly wasted foods in
British households. But stale bread is actually the perfect
ingredient for homemade breadcrumbs — and the Ezidri FD1000
makes the process incredibly simple. The result is far
better than anything you can buy in a shop.
Why Make Your Own Breadcrumbs?
Shop bought breadcrumbs are expensive, often stale themselves
and made from the cheapest possible bread. Homemade breadcrumbs
made from good quality bread — sourdough, wholemeal, white,
seeded — have infinitely better flavour and texture.
They also last for months in an airtight jar, meaning you
always have them to hand for breadcrumbed chicken, fish,
pasta toppings, stuffings and countless other uses.
What You'll Need
- Any stale bread — sourdough, white, wholemeal,
seeded or a mixture
- Optional seasonings: dried herbs, garlic powder,
parmesan, lemon zest
How to Make Dried Breadcrumbs
1. Preheat Ezidri FD1000 to 55°C
2. Cut or tear bread into rough chunks
approximately 2-3cm
3. Arrange in a single layer on mesh sheets
4. Dry at 55°C for 2 to 4 hours until
completely dry and hard throughout
5. Allow to cool completely
6. Place dried bread chunks in a food processor
and blitz to desired texture —
fine for coatings, coarser for toppings
7. Season if desired and mix thoroughly
8. Store in an airtight jar
Seasoning Ideas
- Italian: dried oregano, basil and garlic powder
- Lemon herb: lemon zest, parsley and thyme
- Parmesan: finely grated parmesan and black pepper
- Plain: unseasoned for maximum versatility
Uses
- Breadcrumbed chicken, fish or vegetables
- Pasta al forno toppings
- Stuffings and forcemeats
- Meatball and burger binder
- Gratin toppings for cauliflower cheese and
similar dishes
Storage
Store in an airtight jar at room temperature
for up to 3 months. Seasoned breadcrumbs
containing parmesan should be refrigerated
and used within 2 weeks.
Tips for Best Results
- Any bread works — mixing different types
gives more complex flavour
- The drier the bread before you start the
faster the drying time
- Make a large batch whenever you have
accumulated stale bread — breadcrumbs
keep extremely well
- Freeze in portions for up to 6 months
if you make a very large batch
Want more ideas for reducing food waste at home?
Visit our Reduce Food Waste page for more inspiration.