Substitute For Breadcrumbs In Meatballs

Substitute For Breadcrumbs In Meatballs

Breadcrumbs are a necessary ingredient in plenty of recipes. They act as a binder for meatloaf as well as meatballs and they create the perfect crust for chicken and other protein. You can also use  breadcrumbs to add a crunch when sprinkled on top of a delicious casserole, pasta, or a simple salad. If you have run out there are plenty of pantry staples that you can use to mimic the crunchy texture of store-bought breadcrumbs, plus they are a perfect canvas for flavour additions. Some of the alternatives you can use in place of breadcrumbs are oats, nuts and parmesan cheese.

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Oats

The first on our list of substitutes for breadcrumbs are oats. Oats are perfect to use as an alternative to breadcrumbs especially when preparing meatballs or meatloaf. While they may not be best for a crispy coating, oats can add a good texture to bind meat, eggs, and other flavourings together and create a delicious Italian-inspired feast. The good thing about oats is that they are easily accessible and they do not alter the taste of your meal.

Crushed Chips

Another good alternative to use in place of breadcrumbs are crushed chips. You can use a tortilla or potato chips that are flavoured, or not and crush them. Chips are some of the best gluten-free substitutes to traditional breadcrumbs. You can use the crumbs to coat chicken cutlets and fish fillets, or you can simply fold crushed tortilla chips into your meatball mixture. Keep in mind that the crushed chips will add more salt to your dish unless you add the chips without salt.

Nuts

Crushed nuts make a good alternative for breadcrumbs. They add extra flavour, as well as a boost of nutrients, to your dish. You can use almonds, pecans, walnuts, or cashews to create a flavour-packed crust for your fish, chicken, pork, plus you can use them in your meatballs too. You can try crunchy nuts on the outside of a cutlet for a tasty Pork Milanese Sandwich. Nuts are definitely worth considering as a substitute for meatballs.

Pretzels or Crackers

You can also consider using pretzels or crackers in place of breadcrumbs. All you need to do is to simply add a sleeve of crackers or a handful of pretzels to a plastic bag and crush them using a rolling pin. You can then flavour your meal as you would with breadcrumbs. In addition to being used for meatballs, consider using the crumbs as a coating for protein or sprinkle the pretzels on top of a creamy salad for a bit of an added crunch. If you want a less salty alternative, consider adding pretzels in place of breadcrumbs that way you can control the seasoning in your dish. You can also use pretzels for a Gochujang-Glazed Meatloaf that uses saltines in place of breadcrumbs for flavour and moisture.

Crushed Cereal

Crushed cereal makes a good alternative for breadcrumbs. Just make sure that you are using unsweetened, mildly flavoured cereals such as cornflakes, bran, or corn-based cereal. You can crush the cereal with a food processor, and then proceed to apply in your meals as you would with any average crumb. You can use the crushed cereal in your meatballs, for coating on chicken and other protein or add it to your pasta.

Make Your Own Breadcrumbs

If you have the time and patience you can make your own breadcrumbs from scratch. If you have some stale bread, or even fresh bread that you can toast, you can make your own breadcrumbs as a great alternative for store-bought breadcrumbs. Simply follow these steps to make your own breadcrumbs. If using fresh bread, slice the bread take a sheet tray and toast the slices at 300°F until they are dry, for about 15 minutes or so. With your bread, stale or toasted, take a food processor in order to grind the toasted bread into a fine crumb. Add the fresh crispy crumbs to recipes such as mini meatballs with garlicky tomatoes or any other dish you wish to prepare.

Quinoa

You can use quinoa in place of breadcrumbs. Quinoa is rich with fibre and protein. In addition, it is ideal for people who are allergic to wheat or gluten. It is one of the best gluten-free alternatives for breadcrumbs. Simply cook your quinoa in water and drain it. Place a napkin in a dish and add your cooked quinoa on it. After that simply use your quinoa just like you would use your regular breadcrumbs. Alternatively, spread the cooked quinoa on a baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and put your quinoa in the oven for half an hour or so. You can then use the toasted quinoa in place of your breadcrumbs. You can add some salt, pepper, as well as dried herbs to your quinoa and use as desired.

Parmesan Cheese

Another tasty alternative to breadcrumbs is parmesan cheese. You can coat your burger patties with parmesan cheese before baking them. It will form a salty, tasty crust. You can also add parmesan cheese to your meatballs in place of breadcrumbs. Parmesan cheese is nutritious and easy to apply. In addition to keeping your dish moist, it can also add a nice flavour to it.

Cooked Rice, Veggies

Cooked rice and vegetables can be good alternatives to breadcrumbs. You can easily replace the breadcrumbs in meatballs or meatloaves with cooked rice, carrots, celery, cilantro, mushrooms, onions, parsley, as well as other vegetables. Your leftover cooked amaranth seeds, quinoa flakes, as well as crumbled corn bread can be used in place of breadcrumbs.

Corn-starch

Corn-starch can be used in place of breadcrumbs in meatballs. Apart from meatballs, you can also use it for coating your patties or chicken before frying. Adding some garlic, chili powder, salt, and pepper to your corn-starch will add more flavour. You can also add the corn-starch to rinsed, dried chicken pieces, and toss them well. For a thicker batter-style coating, you can add some water to the seasoned corn-starch to make a paste.

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