How to Make Bread Crumbs

Instructions

1. 1

   If desired, trim crust from bread; basic white sandwich bread with soft, light crusts generally won't require it, but you may want to remove the dark crusts from more rustic deeply baked loaves, depending on how you plan to use the bread crumbs (see headnote above for more). Cut bread into 3/4- to 1-inch pieces.

2. 2

   If using fresh or lightly stale bread, adjust oven rack to middle position, and preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). (If using fully stale and dried bread, skip baking step.) Arrange bread in single layer on rimmed baking sheet, and bake until completely dried, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and allow to cool to room temperature, about 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Transfer bread to food processor bowl and pulse until reduced to small crumbs, taking care not to over-process into a fine powder, 8 to 10 pulses (exact number of pulses can vary quite a bit depending on the food process, bread type, and other factors). Add salt to taste. Store bread crumbs until ready to use.