Cooking Substitutions, Recalculated
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What can I use instead of breadcrumbs?

Best substitute for 1 cup breadcrumbs
1 cup crushed crackers
Crushed crackers — 1:1; saltines or Ritz.
cups
Amounts below are for 1 cup breadcrumbs

5 substitutes for breadcrumbs

SubstituteUse this muchNotes
Crushed crackers1 cup crushed crackers1:1; saltines or Ritz.
Rolled oats1 cup rolled oatsPulse for binders and meatballs.
Crushed cornflakes1 cup crushed cornflakesExtra-crispy coating.
Panko1 cup pankoLighter and crunchier.
Almond flour1 cup almond flourGluten-free binder.

Breadcrumbs bind meatballs and add crunch to coatings. Lots of pantry items stand in - pick a crunchy one for coating or a softer one for binding.

Tips

  • For coatings, drier swaps like panko stay crispest.
  • For meatballs, oats or crushed crackers bind well.

FAQ

What can I use instead of breadcrumbs in meatballs?
Rolled oats or crushed crackers bind just as well, 1:1.
Gluten-free breadcrumb substitute?
Almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers work 1:1.