What Are Bread crumbs, whole wheat and How Can I Use Them?

Wondering what to do with bread crumbs, whole wheat? This guide covers how to pick them, cook them, store them, and swap them, plus 97 recipes to put them to work.

What is bread crumbs, whole wheat?

Whole wheat bread crumbs are dried, crushed crumbs made from whole wheat bread instead of white. They carry the same job as any bread crumb, coating and binding and topping, but with a nuttier, more savory flavor and a tan, speckled color from the bran.

Because they are milled from the whole grain, they bring more fiber and a slightly coarser texture. That heartiness suits rustic, savory dishes, where the wheaty taste reads as a feature rather than a flaw.

Ways to Use Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs

They do three core things in the kitchen. As a coating, they crisp up on the outside of cutlets and croquettes; Black Bean Croquettes with Fresh Salsa lean on them for a crunchy crust that holds together.

As a binder, they soak up moisture and hold a mixture in shape. That is their role in Nuwave Meatloaf and in veggie patties like Burger Mix (Vegetarian) and Curried Cashew Burgers, where they keep the patty from falling apart on the grill.

As a topping, scatter them over a casserole for a browned, crunchy lid. Cheesy Macaroni & Cheese with Spinach & Feta finishes with a crumb topping that turns golden and crisp under the broiler.

For the crispest results, toss the crumbs with a little melted butter or oil before they go on top, and toast them in a dry skillet first if you want guaranteed crunch and deeper flavor.

Cooking Notes and Pairings

Whole wheat crumbs lean savory, so they fit hearty, full-flavored food: garlic, herbs, grated cheese, sauteed mushrooms, and bean or lentil mixtures. They are the natural choice for whole-grain or vegetarian cooking where the extra nuttiness fits right in.

Their main quirk is that they brown faster than white crumbs because of the bran and natural sugars. Watch them under the broiler or in a hot oven so they toast rather than scorch, and add the topping partway through baking if the dish needs a long cook.

They also drink up more liquid than fine white crumbs, so in a binder you may need a touch less, or let the mixture rest a few minutes so the crumbs hydrate before you judge the texture.

Substitutes

Plain white bread crumbs are the obvious swap and behave almost identically; you lose the nutty flavor and the speckled look, but the function is the same. Panko, the Japanese-style flake, gives a lighter, crunchier coating but less of the dense, wheaty character.

Crushed whole-grain crackers or rolled oats ground fine can fill in as a binder in a pinch. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread crumbs or ground gluten-free oats, keeping in mind they may brown and bind a little differently.

DIY and Storage

Making your own is easy and the best use for stale whole wheat bread. Let slices dry out fully, then pulse them in a food processor to the coarseness you want.

For dried crumbs, toast the bread in a low oven at 300°F (150°C) until crisp before grinding so they keep longer.

Store dry crumbs in an airtight container in a cool cupboard, where they last a few weeks; whole wheat has bran oils that can turn rancid faster than white. For longer life, freeze them in a sealed bag for up to a few months and use straight from frozen.

Fresh, soft crumbs from untoasted bread are moister and should be refrigerated and used within a couple of days, since they mold quickly.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find bread crumbs, whole wheat: Bread crumbs, whole wheat is usually found in the baking supplies section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Bread crumbs, whole wheat is a member of the Baked Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

面包屑，全麦

British (UK) term

Bread crumbs, whole wheat

en français

chapelure de blé entier

en español

migas de pan, trigo integral

How much does bread crumbs, whole wheat weigh?

Related

Baked Products

Recipes using bread crumbs, whole wheat

There are 97 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Chocolate Chip - Pop'T Wheat Cookies

Chocolate chip pop't wheat cookies fold puffed wheat cereal and quick oats into a honey-sweetened batter loaded with chocolate chips. Light, crackly edges with a chewy oatmeal center.

Very Cheesy Casserole

Packed with healthy whole-grain and cheesy goodness. 3 cheeses, feta, cottage and parmesan cheese plus beans and brown rice. This hearty casserole is tastes great and is loaded with nutritious healthful ingredients.

Pasta Shells with Salmon, Tomatoes & Toasted Bread Crumbs

This easy and simple recipe also came out delicious. Lemon juice added a touch of refreshing taste, and the overall flavour was well balanced. Giving this dish a five star.

Zucchini Potato Latkes with Tzatziki

These lovely latkes are made with zucchini and potato which are both in season, they are so tasty, served with homemade fresh Tzatziki, it can be a side dish or even a light dinner!

Salmon Rosemary Burgers

Salmon rosemary burgers with hand-chopped fresh salmon, Dijon, horseradish, and fragrant rosemary. A hearty grilled fish burger that holds together on the grates without falling apart into the fire.

Turkey Balls, Veggies & Brown Rice Soup

Use ground turkey to make meatballs, loaded with fresh veggies, and brown rice, this hearty soup is nutritious and delicious.

Cheesy Beet Green Gratin

A delicious way to cook the beet greens into a delicious dish. You can use kale, collard or any similar leafy green to make this creamy and tasty gratin.

Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms

Yum. I will be making this recipe again and again.

Asian Turkey Meatballs

This easy and delicious Asian Turkey meatballs are not only much lower-fat and calories, and they also are packed with deliciousness.

Easy & Yummy Salmon Burgers

Very low calorie alternative to your typical beef burger. The water chestnuts give the burger a good crunch.

Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burgers

WOW!! This burger was so easy to make, I could not believe how delicious they came out! I have already made a second batch, wrapped them individually with foil and put them in the freezer. Yum!

Mushroom Stuffed Tomatoes

Very healthy recipe, take care of your own bodies, keep healthy!

Cheesy Crispy Potato & Zucchini Pancakes

An easy and delicious way to make zucchini into a delicious dish. Serve it with yogurt, sour cream or any your favorite sauce.

Cashews, Lentils & Brown Rice Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

The combination of cashews, lentils, brown rice and other spices was delicious. Right balance of the flavor and the texture, we used cherry tomatoes instead, that's what we had on hand. It's a tasty yet nutritious meal.

Curried Cashew Burgers

Veggie burgers with lentils, carrots, cashew with a hint of curry.

Black Bean Croquettes with Fresh Salsa

These black bean croquettes are so good. Serve them with salsa, or put them into whole wheat pita with yogurt and cucumber sauce as a quick lunch or dinner.

Black Bean Croquettes with Fresh Salsa

These black bean croquettes are so good. Serve them with salsa, or put them into whole wheat pita with yogurt and cucumber sauce as a quick lunch or dinner.

Burger Mix (Vegetarian)

A tasty make ahead vegetarian burger mix. Make in advance and have vege burgers ready in a flash for a quick and healthy snack or meal.

Cheesy Macaroni & Cheese with Spinach & Feta

One of the best homemade mac n' cheese I've ever had. The flavor of the sauce was excellent. Instead of provolone I use asiago cheese. The bits of feta and spinach made for nice variety. Bread crumb topping added another layer of crunchy texture.

Butternut Squash & Cheddar Casserole

This is one of the best butternut squash casserole I have ever made. There were lots of flavors and textures going on. We made half of the recipe, I added some buttermilk powder into milk to make the buttermilk and used the dried thyme, otherwise followed the recipe exactly. It came out cheesy, sweet and tasty, but not too feeling heavy or rich afterwords, definitely a keeper!

Pesto & Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Stuffed chicken breasts with ooey gooey cream cheese and basil pesto. Common ingredients result in juicy chicken literally packed with flavor. Rich and low-fat rarely go together but this recipe delivers both!

Scrapple Croquettes

Pennsylvania Dutch scrapple mixed with rice and chopped hard-boiled eggs, breaded and deep-fried into golden croquettes. Crispy, savory, and on the table in 15 minutes.

Bulger Oriental

A chilled bulgur salad tossed with olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, diced tomatoes, cucumber, and fresh cilantro. An East-meets-Middle-East tabbouleh twist served on lettuce with yogurt.

Creamy Meatball Dinner

Freezer-friendly beef meatballs in a creamy mushroom-basil sauce served over brown rice with buttered carrots. Batch-cook now, reheat later for easy weeknight dinners.

Turnip & Lentil Pie

Red lentils, grated turnip, egg whites, and whole wheat breadcrumbs baked until golden and firm. A hearty vegetarian pie with just 5 ingredients that proves plant-based comfort food can be dead simple.

Sesame-Crusted Tofu

Crispy sesame-crusted tofu steaks coated in black and white sesame seeds with whole wheat breadcrumbs. Low-fat, vegetarian, and on the table in 20 minutes.

Avocado Veggie Burgers

Avocado veggie burgers blended from creamy avocado, cooked soybeans, onion, and mustard, then bound with whole wheat breadcrumbs and pan-fried until golden. Vegan and high-protein.

Potato & Brown Rice Burgers

Potato and brown rice burgers are vegetarian patties bound with whole wheat breadcrumbs and parmesan, served with a cool cumin-garlic yogurt sauce. Grill, griddle, or broil for crispy edges.

Baked Mushrooms

Stuffed baked mushrooms filled with sausage meat, whole wheat breadcrumbs, fried onions, and fresh sage. A savory side dish or starter that bakes in just 20 minutes.

Turkey Sausage Leftover Turkey & Veggies Stew

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Stuffed Flank Steak

Stuffed flank steak filled with a whole wheat bread crumb, vegetable, and herb stuffing, then broiled and sliced against the grain. A quick, impressive main dish with a garden-fresh filling.

Salad with Warm Goat Cheese

Salad with warm goat cheese: crumb-coated Montrachet rounds fried to a golden crust over tender greens in a champagne-cider vinaigrette. A French bistro classic worth every step.

Gratin of Red Beans

Gratin of red beans baked with caramelized onions, sweet red peppers, tomato, red wine, and a parmesan-breadcrumb crust. A hearty, mostly vegetarian one-dish dinner.

Summer Fruit, Honey, & Hazelnut Crumble

Summer fruit crumble with a hazelnut and whole-wheat breadcrumb topping, sweetened with honey instead of sugar. Use raspberries, strawberries, currants, or whatever is ripe.

Sopa De Ajo (Garlic Soup)

Sopa de ajo, a classic Spanish garlic soup with sauteed garlic, whole wheat breadcrumbs, chicken broth, paprika, and cayenne. Warming, simple, and ready in under an hour.

German Cheese Soup

German cheese soup blends fresh whole-wheat breadcrumbs with milk and Dijon mustard, then melts in shredded Muenster for a velvety, no-flour-roux soup finished with nutmeg, paprika, and parsley.

Cheesy Tomato Macaroni & Cheese

This recipe was easy and the results are scrumptious.

Vegetable Nut Roast

Walnuts, sunflower seeds, mushrooms, and grated carrots bound with eggs and whole wheat breadcrumbs, baked into a sliceable vegetarian loaf. A nutty, savory centerpiece for meatless meals.

N.Y.Cima Roll

A vegan cima roll: pureed tofu wrapped around a colorful filling of seitan, spinach, roasted red peppers, pistachios, and peas, then steamed into a sliceable log. Plant-based Italian showpiece.

Paella Burgers

Paella burgers: ground chicken, chopped chorizo, and shrimp patties flavored with saffron, garlic, and pinot noir, grilled and stacked on sourdough rolls with charred onion, red pepper, and a saffron aioli.

Citrus Banana Cheesecake

A no-bake cheesecake with a whole wheat crust, creamy cottage cheese and banana filling, and fresh grapefruit on top. Light, tangy, and set with gelatin for a refreshing lower-calorie dessert.

Rice & Mushroom Burgers

Vegetarian rice and mushroom burgers made with brown rice, carrots, whole wheat bread crumbs, and a touch of cayenne. Broiled until golden and crisp on the outside.

Goat Cheese Stuffed Tomatoes

This recipe was so easy! I've tried this for a number of potlucks & everyone is always impressed on how 'gourmet' it looks & tastes

Mushroom-Noodle Casserole

Mushroom noodle casserole layers whole-wheat pasta, sauteed mushrooms and onions, and a blended tofu cottage cheese topped with toasted bread crumbs. A dairy-free vegan main that bakes in 20 minutes after assembly.

A Very Special Bread

Special Easter bread made with whole wheat breadcrumbs, candied citron, and orange zest in a bread machine. This sweet, fruit-studded loaf has Old World charm.

Almond Crusted Catalan Chicken

Marinating chicken in this creamy, orang-y and sweet marinade really gives the chicken lots of yummy flavor, also make the chicken very tender, then coated with almond-bread crumb mixture. It's succulent in the inside and golden, brown and crusty on the outside when it's out of the oven.

Warm Carrot Pudding with Gingered Fruit Compote

Vegan carrot pudding with ginger, cinnamon, walnuts, and raisins topped with a fruit compote and cashew cream. A dairy-free, egg-free baked dessert sweetened with maple syrup.

Mini Crab Cakes

Mini crab cakes baked in muffin tins with a panko-parmesan crust and creamy cream cheese filling. Lemon-orange-scented appetizer bites for cocktail parties, showers, and holiday gatherings.

Cheesy Crusted & Spiced Squash

Cheesy crusted spiced acorn squash roasts wedges of sweet squash under a crunchy Parmesan, sage, garlic, lemon-zest breadcrumb crust with a pinch of cayenne. A fast vegetarian side for weeknight dinners.

Rosemary Turkey Patties

Baked rosemary turkey patties with whole wheat breadcrumbs and thyme, topped with a creamy rosemary gravy made from scratch. A lighter, herb-forward alternative to beef burgers.

All 97 recipes