Can’t find whole wheat bread crumbs at the store? No worries – they’re SUPER easy to make! They’re also a fantastic way to use up the heels of bread loaves, or the crusts if you’re a homemade uncrustable maker like me!

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a glass jar of homemade whole wheat bread crumbs

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe:

They’re so simple — all you need is bread!
Because we’re using whole wheat bread, it’s a higher fiber and more nutrient-dense option than traditional bread crumbs.
You can get creative with different variations (your own whole wheat Italian bread crumbs, anyone?)
Reduced food waste — I stock my freezer with homemade uncrustables, so between the heels of bread and the discarded crusts, homemade bread crumbs are a great way to avoid waste. (I also love using the crusts to make my French toast muffins, too!)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions:

For a full ingredient list with quantities, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

leftover whole wheat bread crusts and heels to make bread crumbs

Bread – all you need is bread! Specifically whole wheat bread, if you want to make whole wheat bread crumbs. Although you can use any kind of bread – whole grain, gluten-free, sourdough, etc. I find the best bread crumbs come from the crusts and heels on day-old bread!

How to Make Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs

For complete instructions, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

leftover bread crusts in a bowl to make homemade whole wheat bread crumbs

pulsing bread in a food processor to make bread crumbs

Cut bread into one-inch pieces (approximately), then add to a food processor and pulse until you have crumbs. (You can make them as fine or as large as you prefer or what your recipes typically call for.)

toasting bread crumbs and tossing half-way through

Spread the bread crumbs evenly onto a sheet pan, then bake for 5 minutes. Use a spatula to gentle toss the bread crumbs around, then bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until bread crumbs are completely dry. Let cool on the baking sheet, then store in an airtight container.

Homemade Bread Crumbs Tips and Variations:

TOP TIP: Keep toasting in the oven until the bread is completely dry. The fresher your bread is, the longer it will take to dry (potentially even up to 30 minutes).
Gluten-Free: use your favorite gluten-free bread for easy, homemade gluten-free bread crumbs.
Sourdough: for my sourdough lovers, use your day-old bread to turn into sourdough bread crumbs!
Italian Bread Crumbs: Add 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt for every 1 cup of finished bread crumbs.
For Finer Bread Crumbs: pulse the bread as fine as you can pre-toasting. Then, once the bread crumbs are toasted and completely cooled, you can process again for an even finer bread crumb.
For Panko-Style Bread Crumbs: don’t pulse them quite as fine for a more panko-style bread crumb.

How to Store Bread Crumbs:

Homemade bread crumbs should be stored in an airtight container. They can be left at room temperature for up to two weeks, refrigerated for up to one month, and frozen for up to three months (or longer, if in a deep freezer). But an important note — make sure the bread crumbs are entirely dried out. If there is any moisture left in the bread crumbs, they will spoil faster.

whole wheat bread crumbs cooling on a pan

Ways to Use Bread Crumbs:

As a binder in entrees like meatballs and meat loaf.
To coat things like homemade chicken tenders, chicken cutlets, chicken parmesan, etc.
Making homemade mozzarella sticks.
Topping baked mac and cheese.

Try a couple of my personal favorite (and reader favorite!) recipes using bread crumbs:

Can You Use Frozen Bread to Make Bread Crumbs?

Yes, you can use previously frozen bread to make bread crumbs, but you’ll want to ensure the bread is completely thawed prior to using. Sometimes previously frozen bread retains additional moisture, so you may find yourself needing to add more time in the oven until the bread crumbs are toasted to fully dry.

How to Make Italian Bread Crumbs

Italian-style bread crumbs are very easy to make at home. Once you’ve made bread crumbs (or even if you’re using plain, storebought), add the following:

2 cups bread crumbs
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

homemade whole wheat bread crumbs in a glass jar with bamboo lid

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