What's the Difference Between Regular & Panko Bread Crumbs

What is Panko Breadcrumbs? How are they different vs. regular bread crumbs? Find out why I have switched to using nothing but Panko breadcrumbs for breading chicken, fish, pork, etc.

What's the Difference Between Regular vs Panko Bread Crumbs

Have you ever thought much about bread crumbs?

There are just crumbs of bread, right. Nothing more to think about.

For years I have been a bread crumb user. The first time was when my friend showed to me how to bread shrimp for deep frying. For years I just grabbed the plain bread crumbs off the shelf without a second thought.

That was until I saw an episode of Alton Brown’s Good Eats. Alton uses Panko bread crumbs or also called Japanese bread crumbs. Life changing!

Comparing Regular Bread Crumbs to Panko

One look and you will see how these two types of bread crumbs differ.

Let me show you.

First here is a photo of regular bread crumbs.

What do you notice? Look at the size and the shape of the crumbs. The crumbs are round and somewhat uniform.

Now let me show you some Panko bread crumbs.

How does the Panko compare? Notice the size, shape, and uniformity as compared to the regular ones.

How are Panko Bread Crumbs Different?

As the photos indicate, the Panko bread crumbs are different. I have described them to people as looking like someone took some croutons and smashed them to bits.

Panko is more coarse than normal bread crumbs.

We have fallen in love with Panko in our house and they are now the only bread crumbs we will purchase. We use it mostly for coasting chicken but has also used it with pork chops, cod, and shrimp.

I have seen an increase of Panko products on the market, including different flavored versions (although I would prefer to add my own herbs to the dish I am making instead of buying the herbed Panko).

Panko bread crumbs produce crunchy foods — Let's compare these two fried shrimp. The one on the left is coated with regular bread crumbs. The one on the right is coated with Panko bread crumbs. Look how more crispy the Panko breaded shrimp looks.

Can I Use Either Regular or Panko Bread Crumbs in a Recipe?

Absolutely. You can reach for either for whatever your recipes you are making.

However, your never get quite the same crisp with regular bread crumbs. This is especially true if you are going to deep fry whatever food your covering in bread crumbs.

The more airy, flakiness of the Panko bread crumb not only will make your fried foods crispier but less oil can be absorbed.

When using Panko you are less likely to have soggy food and it should be your life's mission to avoid soggy foods!

Can You Just Make Your Own Panko Bread Crumbs?

Making standard bread crumbs at home. That is easy.

I would love to do homemade Panko. Is it possible? It's not easy to exactly replicate

What I heard people say you can do is to try and grate your bread. Doing that with a hand crating is challenge. It's best to try and use the grater disc that came with your food processor.

What's the Difference Between Regular & Panko Bread Crumbs — Here are some example of bread crumbs you can find at a Kroger store. The one on the right is the traditional bread crumbs. They cost less money than the Panko bread crumbs on the right and you get a lot more of the traditional. The Panko is for sure worth the extra cost. Kroger sells it's Panko Bread Crumbs under their Private Selection brand that is their more premium store brand.

Where to Buy Panko Bread Crumbs?

Pretty much every grocery store carries them now. Whenever you find traditional bread crumbs in the store, you will find Panko.

Of course you can also just order them online and have them shipped to your front door.

Pork Panko Fried Pork Rinds — Pork Panko are fried pork rinds that has been broken into Panko sized pieces. Pork Panko can be used as a 1 for 1 swap with regular Panko or any breadcrumbs.

Gluten Free Panko

If you are someone that is on a gluten free diet or you have a family or friend that is, I want to give you a couple options

Gluten Free Panko Bread Crumbs - they are several gluten free Panko options on the market, that use different types of starches, usually tapioca or potato.

Pork Panko - this is a really unique option. Pork Panko is pork rinds that have been ground into pieces that size of panko. You can use it just like you would the breadcrumbs. It's a friendly option if you are also following a Keto or Paleo diet or are diabetic.

Are you a Panko Bread Crumb fan? Leave a comment below and tell us why you love using them.

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