When the aroma of baking fills the air and makes people salivate, bread crumbs are an indispensable finishing touch. Whether used as a crispy coating for cakes and biscuits, or as a seasoning to fill in the gaps between meat fillings, bread crumbs can give your meals a unique flavor. Making bread crumbs seems simple, but if you want to make a soft, delicate, crispy and delicious finished product, you also need to master some skills.
Prepare the raw materials
The first step in making bread crumbs is to prepare the raw materials. You'll need a slice of fresh bread, preferably soft, less watery French or toasted bread. Tear it into small pieces or cut it into cubes of about 1 cm, and put it in a dry container for later use.
Choose a baking method
Baking is a key step in making bread crumbs. You can choose between oven or air fryer. For oven baking, spread the bread cubes evenly on a baking sheet and place in an oven preheated to 150 degrees. The baking time depends on the size of the bread cubes, about 10-15 minutes. There is no need to preheat the air fryer for baking. Just put the bread cubes into the basket, set 160 degrees, and bake for 5-8 minutes. During the baking process, please monitor the status of the bread cubes at any time to avoid burning.
Master baking techniques
During the baking process, the following tips can help you make more perfect bread crumbs:
- Dry thoroughly: bread cubes Bake until completely dry and crumbly when pinched. If moisture remains, the crumbs will not be crispy enough.
- Stir evenly: During baking, stir the bread cubes every few minutes to ensure even heating and avoid burning.
- Control the temperature: The baking temperature should not be too high, otherwise the bread crumbs will easily become bitter.
Grind the bread cubes
After baking, remove the bread cubes, wait for them to cool slightly, and grind them into fine crumbs in a food processor or grinder. The grinding time should not be too long, otherwise the bread crumbs will turn into powder and lose their taste.
Storing bread crumbs
The prepared bread crumbs can be stored in a dry and cool place in a sealed container. If long-term storage is required, it can be refrigerated or frozen. Just take it out and let it warm before use.
Tips
Choose fresh bread: Fresh bread becomes crispier after baking.
Control baking time: Adjust baking time based on bread cube size to avoid burning or underbaking.
Bake until completely dry: After the bread crumbs are completely dry, the texture will be crisper and easier to store.
Grind with a food processor: The bread crumbs grinded by the food processor will be more uniform and fine.
Adjust particle size according to needs: According to needs, you can obtain bread crumbs of different particle sizes by adjusting the grinding time or using screens with different apertures.
Now that you have mastered the art of making bread crumbs, you might as well give it a try. Spread the crispy and delicious breadcrumbs over your desserts or dishes to add a delicious and chewy texture.