Top 8+ recipes where breadcrumbs add flavor, crunch and body

Breadcrumbs are no one-trick pony. Of course, they’re great for adding crunch to all sorts of dishes, such as in a coating for your favorite protein, sprinkled atop a casserole, and as a flavor-packed garnish for salads, roasted vegetables or pasta. But breadcrumbs can also keep meatballs and meat loaves tender and moist, as well as transform into a simple crust for quiche.

It’s time to put the canister of breadcrumbs languishing in your pantry to work, or make your own with that loaf of bread that’s about to go stale. Here is a collection of recipes from our database of more than 10,000 that showcase what this pantry staple can do.

1. Chicken Parm Meatball Skillet

Above. Panko pulls double duty by acting as a binder in the meatballs themselves, then being sprinkled on top to add texture to this easy skillet meal that channels the flavors of a classic chicken parmesan. Get the recipe.

2. Sumac-Spiced Eggplant ‘Schnitzel’

8 recipes where breadcrumbs add flavor, crunch and body

Sumac (a tart spice common in Middle Eastern cuisine), parmesan, mint, parsley and lemon zest add loads of flavor to the breadcrumb mixture used to coat slices of eggplant. Get the recipe.

3. Macaroni and Cheese With Parmesan Breadcrumbs

A mixture of parmesan, panko, parsley, garlic powder and smoked paprika adds a layer of crunch and pizzazz to this creamy, smoky macaroni and cheese. Get the recipe.

4. Hasselback Salmon With Chimichurri Vinaigrette

This impressive dish features a 2-pound slab of salmon sprinkled with garlicky, cheesy breadcrumbs and drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice. Serve it with a chimichurri-style vinaigrette for extra punch. Get the recipe.

5. Skillet Quiche With Breadcrumb Crust

Toasted breadcrumbs flavored with herbes de Provence form the crust for this skillet quiche with tomato and spinach. Get the recipe.

6. Pasta With Cauliflower and Chard

Pasta With Cauliflower and Chard.

Butter-toasted breadcrumbs add crunch to this Sicilian-inspired pasta with roasted cauliflower, sweet-tart golden raisins, briny green olives, lemon zest and butter. Get the recipe.

7. Make-Ahead Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

Make-Ahead Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets.

These crisp, customizable chicken cutlets are a meal prep wonder that can go from freezer to plate in about 15 minutes. Get the recipe.

8. Fennel Salad With Pistachio Breadcrumbs

Toasted pistachios and breadcrumbs add nutty crunch to this salad with Bibb lettuce, fresh fennel, shaved pecorino Romano and a fennel seed vinaigrette. Get the recipe.