Got a recipe that calls for Panko breadcrumbs, but need to make a substitution either because you can't find them, don't have any in your pantry, or need a gluten free option? We will give you plenty of choices in this post.
📋 What's New In This Post (4/17/25) - Added perks of using different ingredients instead of Panko breadcrumbs as well as FAQ section.
Substitutions Can Be Delicious
Substitutions in recipes are sometimes necessary—whether it’s because you’re out of an ingredient and don’t want to run to the store, or you can’t have a certain ingredient.
Sometimes, substitutions can actually turn out better than the original. I once substituted all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour to make Irish soda bread—not because anyone needed to eat gluten-free, but just because I wanted to try it out. To my surprise, it produced the best Irish soda bread I’ve ever made.
If I’m going to bread something, I always go for Panko breadcrumbs over regular breadcrumbs. I think they make whatever you're cooking even crunchier. There are so many other options out there, whether you need to make a substitution or you just want to experiment for fun and flavor.
Let me share with you 10 of my favorite substitutions—to inspire you to change things up, try something new, and maybe even make a recipe you couldn't do with regular Panko.
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List of Substitutions
Are you ready to change out Panko breadcrumbs in a recipe? Here is a list of what makes a good substitution for Panko breadcrumbs.
- Regular Breadcrumbs - Although I think Panko provides a better crunch, any recipe that calls for it, you can easily use regular breadcrumbs if that is all you have on hand.
- Crushed Pretzels - Any type of hard pretzel you could smash up to make crumbs with, although, I do the the pretzels rods are going to be easier. Remember pretzel are going to be salted, so you probably don't need to add any more to what you are breading. When I was in South Dakota a while back, I found a bag of Dot's Pretzel Crumbles which were perfect for breading and had the same flavor as the popular pretzels that my family loves.
- Crushed Corn Flakes - I have seen recipes on the side of cereal boxes, suggesting the use of corn flakes. They are thin and brittle making them so easy to turn into a breading. I think corn has a great flavor. I would avoid any corn flakes that are frosted because of the added sugar.
- Crushed Tortilla chips - Tortilla chips will bring a similar corny flavor to a breading as corn flakes to. They are a great option over corn flakes thought if you are looking to avoid sugar and can't find corn flakes that don't have any in it. Typically you are already got crushed chips in the bottom of your bag, so they are easier to prepare. I prefer yellow corn tortilla chips because I thin they have more flavor but blue ones can be fun as they will change up the color of your finished dish. Blue chicken tenders anyone?
- Crushed Potato Chips - These are fun because of all the different flavors of potato chips you can use. Many people like to use salt & vinegar chips or BBQ potato chips. In Alton Brown's Chicken Parmesan recipe he calls for using salt and vinegar chips for their flavor, crunch, and to help it form over browning.
- Crushed Croutons - Crushing croutons is basically a way to make your own breadcrumbs. Croutons are often seasoned, so using them adds extra flavor to your breading, which is a nice bonus. I usually only do this when I’m out of breadcrumbs, since croutons tend to be more expensive. Still, it’s a great option when I’m in a pinch.
- Cracker crumbs - Take your favorite crackers and crush them up to make breadcrumbs. Ritz are a popular choice for this, if you want to go with a budget friendly option then choose saltines. Matzo crackers are a great choice as well.
- Matzo meal - Matzo meal is already crushed up Matzo crackers. If you are going to use them make sure you are using the meal and not Matzo ball mix, which will have additional ingredients in it.
- Pork Panko or Crushed Pork Rinds - There is a product on the market called Pork Panko which is crushed up pork rinds. You can buy that, or buy your own pork rinds and do the crushing yourself.
- Gluten Free Breadcrumbs - You can find breadcrumbs that are labelled as gluten free in the store or online.
This is a great list for someone that likes to smash or crush things. Get our aggression out on some corn flakes or pretzels! I recommend if you are choosing one of the options where you will need to crush something to put what you are crushing into a plastic zip top bag.
How to Use
Whenever you are using any of these alternatives you can use them the same. You don't have to change anything. Our method for breading always involves 3 steps.
- Coat in flour (a gluten free flour if you need it)
- Coat with eggs
- Then into the crumbles
This 3-step process helps the crumbles stick better to whatever you are breading as the last thing you want is all of your breading to fall off when cooking your food.
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