What are Panko Bread Crumbs? (2024)

Panko bread crumbs are the perfect crunchy addition to casseroles, fried foods, and anything that you want to add a crispy crust to!

So what exactly are Panko bread crumbs and why are they so awesome?

Below you’ll find the answer to all of your Panko related questions plus the easy method I use to create my own Homemade Panko Bread Crumbs!!

They make a great last minute addition to so many things, so I always keep a supply of them in my pantry (the homemade version will keep for months).

I love to substitute panko for regular bread crumbs whenever possible, such as when making burgers or breading chicken dishes.

Panko is lower in calories, fat, and sodium than regular breadcrumbs. This makes it a great healthier alternative to normal bread crumbs when you are preparing a dish.

I love using panko bread crumbs as a coating, because the flakes are larger which provides a more defined texture to your dish. More crunch is always a good thing right?!

What are Panko Bread Crumbs?

Deleted: Panko is a Japanese bread crumb and the word is derived from (pan, “bread”) and (ko, “flour, powder”) (we originally had an error in origin of the word in this post and thank you Mari for correcting this).

They are essentially just a type of bread crumbs, traditionally used in Asian-style dishes to provide a light breaded coating to your dish.

They have recently gained a ton of popularity in western culture because the panko flakes tend to stay crispier longer than traditional bread crumbs.

Panko bread crumbs are processed in differently than regular ones, resulting shard-like flakes of bread crumbs rather than tiny grains.

Fun Fact: According to the Hawaiian-Tribune, When panko bread crumbs are made in a factory, they are actually cooked with an electric current rather than being baked! They do this to make sure that the bread doesn’t brown, but toasts perfectly. Cool right?

How to Make Panko Bread Crumbs

Did you know you can actually make your own panko bread crumbs at home? It’s quick and easy (there is a full printable recipe here)!

Simply remove the crusts from a loaf of white bread (wheat or brown bread work too). Next, you will need to crumble it into coarse crumbs either with your hands, or a food processor. Be careful not to squish it too much!

Finally, arrange them on a cookie sheet and pop them into an oven set to a low temperature to dry them out. When I make them, I like to have my oven set to 300F do they dry without toasting or browning.

Once cooled, they can be frozen for later use, or stored in a cool dry place such as your pantry for up to 3 months.

Classic panko bread crumbs are made without adding any herbs, but some recipes do call for added herbs or parmesan cheese to your panko mixture.

Where to Buy Panko Bread Crumbs

Because of their increased popularity in western culture, they can be easily found in most supermarkets.

You will most likely find them next to the traditional bread crumbs in the bakery section, or in the Asian food aisle of your grocery store.

I have also had a lot of luck finding panko bread crumbs in stores that specialize in Japanese and Asian cuisines.

If you’re an online shopper, you can also grab them here on Amazon!

Our Favorite Panko Recipes

• • Crispy Baked Parmesan ChickenOven baked juicy chicken breasts with a perfectly crispy crunchy panko crust.
  • All Purpose Turkey MeatballsLean turkey, panko bread crumbs and seasonings are baked until tender to create meatballs that are perfect in gravy or your favorite pasta sauce!
  • Oven Baked Buffalo CauliflowerTender bites of cauliflower in a panko crusted batter. These are baked until perfectly tender crisp and tossed in a delicious buffalo sauce.
  • Crispy Fried Dill PicklesA state fair classic, crispy fried strips of dill pickle in a light and crispy panko bread crumb crust.

• • Jalapeno Popper Dip (Video)Likely the most popular appetizer on this site, creamy, cheesy with a touch of heat, this popper dip is crusted with a crisp panko topping.

What is Panko Made Of?

Panko bread crumbs is a Japanese-style bread crumb made from white bread without the crusts.

This results in a lighter, airier bread crumb that absorbs less grease and stays crispier for longer than their traditional counterparts.

This makes them perfect for fried foods, because they tend to absorb less oil during frying, resulting in a lighter and healthier dish.

What Can I use in Place of Panko Bread Crumbs?

While Panko and regular breadcrumbs both create a nice crispy coating or act as a binding agent in recipes, they are different in texture.

You can use regular bread crumbs in place of panko if needed and most recipes should still work just fine however there can be a slight variation in texture.

If you don’t have bread crumbs or Panko on hand, you can also use any combination of crushed crackers or dried bread or make the homemade panko recipe below in just a few minutes.

Oven Baked Parmesan Chicken

Crispy Fried Dill Pickles

Oven Baked Buffalo Cauliflower