If you’re mid-recipe and realize you’re out of bread crumbs, no worries! I’m going to show you how to make easy, homemade gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
Plus, this recipe is gluten-free so it’s the perfect alternative to traditional panko while still keeping that crispy texture we all love. Check out this video featuring my oven-baked chicken tenders where I show you how to make panko breadcrumbs right at the beginning!
What is Panko?
Panko is a lighter, flakier version of bread crumbs. Typically it’s made with a special type of crustless, white bread which is then ground to create fine slivers of crumb.
Since we’re making ours at home, and we want this version to capture that same flaky Panko consistency that we love while keeping the recipe gluten-free. To do that, we’re using rice cereal.
How to Make Panko Breadcrumbs Gluten-Free
If you’re making this at home, you just need one simple ingredient, rice cereal squares. Yes, the same rice cereal you’re eating for breakfast or using in that party mix.
To make the lightest crumb, simply place the cereal squares into a food processor and blend.
If you don’t have a food processor, you can put the cereal into a zip bag and either crush the cereal with your hands, or zip up the bag and roll over it with a rolling pin until the cereal becomes crumbs.
Making homemade, gluten-free panko is really that easy!
How to Use Homemade Panko
This homemade Panko can help transform your favorite recipes into a gluten-free version. Here are some of my favorite recipes that include this easy Panko in the recipe.
- Chicken Tenders
- Baked Cauliflower Bites
- Baked Ravioli
- Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan
- Easy Baked Fish Nuggets
- Coconut Crusted Chicken
Gluten-Free Panko Breadcrumbs Recipe
This recipe for light and crispy panko breadcrumbs is naturally gluten-free and the perfect addition to your next recipe. Perfect texture and crunch!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 2 cups breadcrumbs
Ingredients
- 2 cups toasted rice cereal
Instructions
- Place the rice cereal in a zip bag, making sure all excess air is pressed out of the bag.
- Using your hands or a rolling pin, press the cereal until it becomes crumbs. Use like regular breadcrumbs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cups
- Calories: 225
- Fat: 1.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 51.1 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 3.8 g
J M
Sounds wonderful, but I have yet to find a sugar free rice cereal. You stated they generally are unsweetened. What brand are you referring to? If there is indeed a SUGARFREE Rice Crisp cereal out there I will be so thrilled!
MOMables-Laura
Both Chex plain cereal and the original Rice Krispies are unsweetened.
Brian Turcotte
Rice krispies are not typically gluten free. It contains malt which is short for malted barley. Gluten is wheat, barley or rye. Be sure to get gluten free rice krispies or chex for this recipe to actually be gluten free.
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MOD451
I’m still confused about which rice cereal is being used here! Is it puffed rice (ie, rice crispies) or Chex rice squares? While I can find rice crispies that are made without sugar/sweeteners, I can’t find any unsweetened rice squares.
MOMables-Laura
Rice cereal can be unsweetened Chex squares or puffed rice.
James
Seriously. This works. We had a gluten intolerant friend over for southern fried fish. WAY better than Panko!
Thank you!
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Stephani
I am not a cook ~ fumble fingered and lost in the kitchen. Was totally born without the cooking gene.
Despite this handicap, these turned out wonderful on my first try in my brand new air fryer. Win! Crispy outside, tender/juicy inside. I did 15″ on 370F turning at the 8″ mark. Didn’t burn myself ~ another win!
I made the rice chex bread crumbs ~ perfect. Used coconut flour hoping for a bit of coconut flavor ~ zero coconut flavor in the finished tenders. I’m elated at how successful this was!
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MOMables-Laura
I’m glad this recipe was a success for you Stephani!
Sher
I’m looking forward to trying this! I’ll post back to let you know what I think :-)
Louise
I was disappointed that you advertised this chicken tenders recipe with your GF Panko recipe only to discover that the tenders are made with white flour, which obviously has a ton of gluten and doesn’t help the Gluten-intolerant! Maybe you could post a GF version of Chicken Tenders as well.
Paula
This would be so easy to season a dozen different ways, such a great idea. They sell a similar rice product for five dollars for just a few ounces, this is fresher, cheaper, and much more versatile. Thanks!
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TINA WONG
Hi! Maybe I’m overthinking this, but when you use puffed rice cereal, do you mean like rice crispies?
Thanks!
T
MOMables-Laura
Yes, just like rice crispies!
Jon Trew
Aren’t rice crisps sweet or have added sugar?
MOMables-Laura
Rice crisps are generally unsweetened.
Linda
I think she’s saying to use Chex cereal but the rice flavor.
Elvie
Hi! Can I use almond flour or chickpea flour instead of Panko breadcrumbs? Thanks!
MOMables-Laura
Panko breadcrumbs have a slightly different texture from almond flour and chickpea flour.
Leila
I made these homemade panko crumbs today and they worked perfectly for my baked chicken. Will try your recipe next time for the tenders but the panko was easy and it worked!
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Kimberly
Wow, this is so much easier than I thought it would be. My family needed a good gluten-free bread crumb option!
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