I have put the most popular brands of gluten-free bread crumbs to the test. Comparing traditional bread crumbs to panko, store-bought vs homemade. Find out who won!
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If you were newly diagnosed with Celiac or are trying out the gluten-free lifestyle you know that it can be hard to find a gluten-free version of an old favorite.
And if you can't find one of the recommended brands you can always use a gluten-free substitute for bread crumbs.
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Testing Method
I used my gluten-free chicken nuggets recipe as the basis for the taste test. This recipe uses a three-method coating of rice flour, egg, and then bread crumbs before the chicken is baked.
If the bread crumbs were plain I added seasoning to match the homemade bread crumbs.
The gluten-free breadcrumbs were compared on cost. I used a cost per ounce and tried to buy as many as I could at my regular run-of-the-mill grocery store. I didn't order any products online.
Then the bread crumbs were rated on:
- Texture
- Blind Taste Test
- Grip (i.e. how well did they adhere to the chicken)
- Reheating
The Brands
I tested a variety of traditional Italian, unseasoned, and panko bread crumbs that would be recommended to me by readers (that's you!) and bloggers.
Here is the brand list:
- 4C Crumbs GF Panko
- 4C Crumbs Seasoned GF Bread Crumbs
- Aleia's Italian Bread Crumbs
- Dynasty GF Panko
- Kikkoman GF Panko
- Schar Plain Bread Crumbs
I also included my homemade gluten-free bread crumbs recipe and homemade gluten-free panko bread crumbs.
| Brand | Average $ per Ounce | Baked Texture | Overall Taste | Grip | Texture Reheated | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kikkoman Panko | 108% | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4.0 |
| Dynasty Panko | 83% | 5 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3.8 |
| 4C Crumbs Panko | 137% | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 14.0 |
| 4C Crumbs Seasoned | 68% | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Schar Bread Crumbs | 107% | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.5 |
| Aleia's Italian Bread Crumbs | 102% | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.0 |
| Homemade Panko | 97% | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4.3 |
| Homemade Italian | 97% | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4.8 |
4C Foods
This brand makes three varieties of bread crumbs; plain, seasoned, and panko.
Cost- The plain and seasoned varieties are by far the least expensive. While the panko was the most expensive.
The panko is more like puffed rice than panko as a result you got about 50% less product for the same amount of money.
Tasting Notes (Seasoned)- When I opened the canister the smell was amazing. it smelled a little cheesy and very peppery. I took a bite and was wowed. But things were downhill after that.
Adhering the breading was easy but once baked it just slid off. Definitely on the soggy side and it didn't reheat well. I think it was the cheese because I have never had an issue with the plain bread crumbs when I seasoned them myself.
I think what I found most fascinating were the poor scores for taste. But I have to agree. Somehow all the delicious flavor disappeared when I baked the chicken. I can't explain how odd it was.
Tasting Notes (Panko)- I am not sure where to start. After cooking they looked pale and tasted burnt. No one enjoyed this version.
Best For-I think the 4c plain gluten-free bread crumbs are great for anyone on a tight budget. If you add your own seasonings you shouldn't run into the issue with the mushiness.
I can't recommend the 4c panko bread crumbs.
Ingredient Notes- All varieties are nut-free and egg-free. The seasoned variety does contain dairy. The finer textured bread crumbs contains raisin juice, which I thought was odd but I now realize gave them a lovely color.
Certified Gluten Free- No
Aleia's
Aleia's makes the widest variety of crumbs and coatings in some very interesting flavors. For the purposes of this test, I used the Italian Bread Crumbs variety.
But you can also get vegan, plain, and panko versions. I find the consistency of the Aleia's brand to be good so I felt comfortable just trying one type.
They also make fancier "coat and crunch packets" that are in flavors like crispy spicy and lemon herb. Might be worth a look.
Cost- Just slightly above the cost of homemade. But I think overall the best value for store-bought options.
While not part of the official analysis I thought I would point out that the container is ideal for storage. There isn't a lot of empty space in the packaging, it seals well and the bread crumbs stay fresh which just adds to the overall value.
Tasting Notes - Aleia's scored well across the board balancing both texture and taste. Testers stated they would buy the plain and do their own seasonings because it lacked salt.
I agree with that assessment but thought it had a lovely herby flavor.
As far as grip and texture, Aleia's scored 4 stars. I did notice that I had a hard time getting the crumbs to stick originally. But once baked the coating stuck on perfectly and stayed on through reheating.
Best For- These bread crumbs are great for everyday use. I wouldn't recommend for deep frying. But think baked or air fryer chicken fingers, homemade mozzarella sticks, etc.
And while I like gluten-free crackers, this brand would be great for gluten-free meatballs and GF meatloaf.
Ingredient Notes- Dairy-free, Nut-Free
Certified Gluten Free- Yes
Dynasty Panko
This brand was recommended to me by a local Facebook group for those on a gluten-free diet. I did have to go to a local Asian grocery store. Panko is a larger breadcrumb popular in Japanese cuisine.
Cost- The Dynasty panko was about 15% less expensive than traditional bread crumbs.
Tasting Notes- While these panko crumbs started off as the palest of the bunch, they browned nicely. Tasters noted that they needed a lot of salt.
But when I did a retest by adding the salt to the crumb before breading and my chicken pieces were delicious.
The panko clung easily during breading and after baking the coating was uniformly crispy. These did not reheat as well as the other panko varieties.
Best For- These panko-style bread crumbs are good when you want panko on a budget and want something you can both bake and deep fry. Be sure to salt the mixture
Ingredient Notes- Made from rice meal. Free from nuts, eggs, and dairy.
Certified Gluten Free- No
Kikkoman Panko
They were sold out at a local grocery store that normally carries them and I purchased them at an Asian grocery store.
But unlike other Japanese-style panko crumbs, these are actually certified gluten-free! Great if you have celiac disease.
Kikkoman actually makes quite a few gluten-free certified products that are worth checking out. And their website is easy to navigate if you are looking for allergen information.
Cost- These were on the pricier side but not outrageous. About 10% more.
Tasting Notes- The texture was more coarse than the Dynasty panko which tasters preferred. Without adding salt the coating was superb.
The Kikkoman bread crumbs didn't brown as much during baking as would have hoped. But they stayed on well even if the texture was screaming "Why did you bake me??? I need to be fried".
This crumb reheated well, staying almost as crunchy.
Best For- Hands down the Kikkoman GF panko will give you the best results if you are frying.
In my mind, it is worth the small extra cost because deep frying is an endeavor. If you are going to the trouble, you want the best products.
Ingredient Notes- Made from rice flour and pea protein. Free from nuts, eggs, and dairy.
Certified Gluten Free- Yes
Schar
Schar is a trusted brand within the gluten-free community. Some of my favorite recipes, like this roasted vegetable sandwich, use Schar products. I had high hopes for this one.
Schar only makes a plain variety so I added the same seasoning that I use in my homemade bread crumbs.
Cost- The Schar bread crumbs were slightly more expensive than the Aliea's but less than Kikkoman's.
Tasting Notes- At first touch, the crumb was very fine, almost sandy. I was a little worried. But tasters gave this brand of gluten-free bread crumbs their highest marks.
It had a nutty flavor and it adhered to the chicken perfectly. It formed the most perfectly crispy outer shell.
It lost some of its crispiness on the reheat but the breading didn't flake off at all.
Again, not part of the rating system but this is by far the worst packaging. It is in a bag that doesn't reseal.
Best For- I think this is the best overall store-bought breadcrumb. The fine crumbs create the perfect coating ideal for fried chicken.
Ingredient Notes- The main ingredient is rice flour but also contains corn starch which explains the fine texture. This product is lactose-free but contains eggs and may be cross-contaminated with tree nuts.
Certified Gluten Free- Yes
Homemade Bread Crumbs
My homemade gluten-free bread crumbs use leftover gluten-free bread and buns.
Cost- I based the cost on a loaf of Schar gluten-free white bread for the purposes of comparison. That alone put it slightly cheaper than store-bought.
But in reality, I typically use stale bread, the heels of bread loaves, or bread I didn't like. So in that sense, it was free. Or at least a sunk cost.
Tasting Notes (Seasoned)- A bit of an unfair advantage because I obviously developed the original recipe according to the people who taste my recipes. We already nailed down the best seasoning mix.
I learned through this process that I prefer a finer texture and will be keeping them in the food processor longer from now on! But the grip and reheating ratings on the homemade crumbs were outstanding.
They also reheated the best. Which I attributed to the homemade bread crumbs being freshly made. If they had been sitting around for a bit the reheating would perhaps have been more in line with our other favorites.
Tasting Notes (Panko)- Tasters preferred the texture of the finer seasoned bread crumb. And while visually the coating was very dark golden brown it didn't taste burnt.
If I was planning on deep frying anything I would underbake the bread crumbs when made them and be sure to use white bread.
Actually, I would probably use the Kikkoman!
The panko didn't adhere as well as I would have liked but was decent. It stayed crunchy in reheating which surprised me.
Best For- I think the seasoned bread crumbs are great for traditional coatings where the items are baked or pan-fried like eggplant parm or chicken piccata.
The homemade panko has casserole topping written all over it! Mix it with a little cheese and your baked gluten-free macaroni will never be the same.
Ingredient Notes- Depends on the bread used.
Certified Gluten Free- Only if your bread is.
Result Summary
Best Overall- Homemade
Best Store Bought- Schar
Best Value- Aleia's
Best for Frying- Kikkoman
Ian's Bread Crumbs Note
I was unable to procure bread crumbs from Ian's Foods. Once a staple in the gluten-free grocery aisle I have been noticing that the inventory of their products dwindling at my local grocery store.
The company's phone number was disconnected when I called and they haven't posted on Instagram since 2022.
Store Brands Note
I didn't include store brands in my analysis for two reasons. First, I wanted brands that would be available nationally and most grocery stores are regional.
Also, most private label products are manufactured by the larger CPG companies. So essentially, they likely are one of the ones I tested. I find comparing labels to be the easiest way to figure out which one your store brand is.
How to Store Bread Crumbs
Store your bread crumbs in an airtight container in a cool dry place.
You can also freeze your bread crumbs. You don't need to thaw them before you use them in your recipes.
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