Substitutes for bread crumbs
Bread crumbs substitutes
Dry bread crumbs give body to crumb mixtures and texture to toppings. Measure the replacement after crushing or grinding; these amounts do not describe fresh bread.
What bread crumbs does
Binds meatballs and meatloaf, and makes crisp coatings and toppings.
Quick reference
| Substitute | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cracker crumbs Sources vary | 1 cup cracker crumbsper 1 cup bread crumbs |
| Crushed cornflakes | 1 cup crushed cornflakesper 1 cup bread crumbs |
| Ground oats | 1 cup ground oatsper 1 cup bread crumbs |
When the substitute matters
- Cracker crumbs: 1 cup per cup dry bread crumbs; sources range from 3/4 to 1 cup.
- Cornflakes: crush first, then measure 1 cup per cup dry bread crumbs.
- Oats: grind first, then measure 1 cup per cup dry bread crumbs.
The substitutes, in detail
Cracker crumbs
Amount: 1 cup cracker crumbs per 1 cup bread crumbs
Sources vary
Purdue Extension and Saskatchewan Health Authority say 1 cup per cup. Land O'Lakes says 3/4 cup per cup. Colorado State's chart gives 1/4 cup crumbs per 1/4 to 1/3 cup dry bread crumbs, so 3/4 to 1 cup. Published at 1 cup; start with 3/4 cup if your crackers are salty. Dry crumbs only.
- Crush the crackers fine.
- Taste before adding extra salt.
Best for
- Meatloaf and meatballs
- Casserole toppings
- Breading
What changes
Gives a crisper, richer, saltier crumb than plain dry bread crumbs.
Crushed cornflakes
Amount: 1 cup crushed cornflakes per 1 cup bread crumbs
Replaces 1 cup DRY bread crumbs. Measure after crushing or grinding. The rolled-oat chart entry measures a different preparation and does not establish a ground-oat amount.
- Crush the cornflakes before measuring.
Best for
- crumb mixtures
- toppings
What changes
Adds a corn flavour and a crisp crumb.
Ground oats
Amount: 1 cup ground oats per 1 cup bread crumbs
Replaces 1 cup DRY bread crumbs. Measure after crushing or grinding. The rolled-oat chart entry measures a different preparation and does not establish a ground-oat amount.
- Grind the oats before measuring.
Best for
- crumb mixtures
- toppings
What changes
Adds an oat flavour and a different texture from bread crumbs.
How we source this
Each swap is backed by at least two independent sources, including a test kitchen, university extension service or product maker. The amounts replace one unit of the original ingredient and do not work in reverse. See the full source list.
Sources
- Purdue Extension — Substitutions and Equivalents in Food Ingredients (CFS-145-W)
- Saskatchewan Health Authority — Ingredient Substitutions (Food Mentoring Toolkit)
- Land O'Lakes — Ingredient Substitutions
- Colorado State University Extension — Ingredient Substitutions
- Joy of Baking — Ingredient Substitution