What Is Panko? Find out how to Use the Japanese Bread Crumbs

Panko bread crumbs are fluffy, flaky, unseasoned Japanese bread crumbs historically used as a crispy outer coating for fried meals. Now extensively out there in most supermarkets, the jagged, rectangular bread crumbs are available in entire wheat and gluten-free variations, they usually can be utilized interchangeably with common bread crumbs to present meals further crunch.

In the event you’re not already a fan, right here’s why panko will probably be your new go-to ingredient for including crispness and crunch to all the things from mild salads to hearty casseroles.

Sift a handful of panko by way of your fingers and also you’ll instantly discover some methods through which it’s completely different from common bread crumbs. First, panko has each massive and small rectangular, shard-like flakes, whereas common bread crumbs have a extra uniform, meal-like form. Then there’s the colour. Panko is pale, not golden brown. Lastly, the feel: Panko is far lighter and airier than common bread crumbs. However why?

The key to panko’s crisp, feathery consistency lies in how the bread for panko is baked. The bread loaves are cooked in particular ovens that use an electrical present relatively than radiant warmth. As a result of no radiant warmth is concerned, the loaves bake up mild and ethereal and don’t develop outer crusts. After the crustless loaves have been allowed to dry, they’re floor into coarse, sliver-shaped crumbs that are crisped one final time earlier than packaging.

Panko’s jagged flakes have a bigger floor space and extra air pockets than common bread crumbs, which permits moisture to flee. Much less moisture means extra crunch, and bread crumb toppings and coatings that keep crisp longer.

Panko can be utilized interchangeably with common bread crumbs in most recipes—usually with crisper, much less dense outcomes. (See beneath for a listing of some favourite Forks Over Knives recipes that decision for panko.)

For a extra conventional bread crumb consistency, pulse panko bread crumbs in a meals processor till it resembles coarse meal. Chances are you’ll must remeasure the panko after it has been floor within the meals processor as a result of flakes of panko are extra voluminous than common bread crumbs.

For optimum freshness, retailer opened packages of panko in an hermetic container within the freezer for as much as 6 months.

Fundamental panko is made with refined wheat flour bread, however there are additionally entire wheat choices to select from. Entire-food, plant-based eaters ought to verify panko labels fastidiously to verify the components don’t embody oil or shortening. Two to strive: Pereg’s Entire-Wheat Premium Panko and Kikkoman Gluten-Free Panko (which can be sugar-free).

Whereas most panko comprises wheat flour, there are gluten-free panko choices out there. Our favourite is Kikkoman Gluten-Free Panko. Some gluten-free panko varieties use eggs as a binder, so in the event you’re vegan or whole-food, plant-based, be sure you verify labels for that.

Panko is not simply breading for fried meals. Max out panko’s pure crunch issue with these fast, simple, and wholesome makes use of.

For a crunchy all-purpose cheese sprinkle, toast 1 cup panko bread crumbs in a nonstick skillet over medium warmth 3 to 4 minutes or till calmly browned. Cool, then stir in ½ cup dietary yeast. Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge as much as 1 month. Use as a last-minute topping for pizza, salads, and stews.

From crispy-topped casseroles and crunchy coated onion rings to mild, moist fritters and veggie burgers, panko has you coated.