Are panko breadcrumbs gluten free? In short, usually, no. If you see the term “panko breadcrumbs” on an ingredient label, they’re made from wheat. However, there’s more to this answer.

It is possible to have gluten free panko breadcrumbs. On the label, it needs to say “gluten free panko breadcrumbs”. This will indicate that the bread used to make the bread crumbs was a gluten free bread.

Wheat is a Major Allergen Here and Abroad

In all countries that recognize top/major/common allergens, wheat is always on the list. Here’s what that means for you as a consumer: With food allergen labeling laws, wheat must be clearly called out on the label. It should either be in bold, or in a “contains” statement.

However, always keep in mind that you need to do your due diligence. Always check the label, even if it’s something you’ve purchased in the past. Companies can change at any time and they don’t need to write us a letter. Additionally, not all companies use the bold/contains method. Read each ingredient to ensure you’re purchasing a product that’s safe for you.

Regular Breadcrumbs vs Panko Breadcrumbs

Traditional panko comes from Japanese cooking. It’s a breadcrumb that has a flaky, light texture. When compared with regular breadcrumbs, you could say it has an airier texture. Usually, panko crumbs are used as an outer coating for fried and baked foods including crab cakes and some types of fried chicken.

What makes them special is how they were traditionally made in Japan. Bread dough was sprayed with machines onto heated iron to create the shards when baked. It’s actually a really cool process and I encourage you to go watch a video that details the process.

Regular breadcrumbs are usually made by taking stale bread and processing it in a food processor (or similar tool) to create a nice crumb. They can also be made with fresh bread that’s been baked/toasted/dried. The key is that you want the bread to be really dry before transforming it into breadcrumbs.

What are Panko Breadcrumbs Used For?

Breadcrumbs can be used a filler in many of your favorite recipes including meatballs. Panko breadcrumbs are special because of their crispy texture. Panko can give you the feeling of an extra crispy coating on your fried and baked foods.

Generally, panko breadcrumbs are used for pan-frying, deep frying, oven baking, and for creating crunchy toppings. Sometimes you’ll see casserole recipes that call for panko breadcrumbs to be added on top before baking, and this creates a crunchy topping.

In some high end kitchens, they like to give select recipes a professional finish by using flavour-infused panko breadcrumbs as a topping or garnish. I’ve seem some very cool flavour profiles where panko has been combined with aromatics, herbs, and some spices in a frying pan, then put on top of a dish to create a unique dining experience.

What’s in Gluten Free Panko Breadcrumbs?

Gluten free panko starts with gluten free bread. That’s going to be the base of what the breadcrumbs are made from. Common ingredients found in gluten free bread include:

Brown Rice Flour
Sorghum Flour
Tapioca Flour
White Rice Flour
Potato Starch
Guar Gum

Some gluten free bread brands also include egg, milk, pea protein, sesame, =and other common allergens, so be sure to read the labels very carefully if you’re more than gluten free/wheat free.

Answering Your Questions About Gluten Free Panko Breadcrumbs

Can I make gluten free panko breadcrumbs at home?

Making gluten-free panko breadcrumbs at home is totally doable. In fact, I’ve done this myself. To make the gluten-free version, you’ll start by drying white (safe-for-you) bread in your oven. Once it’s at a good level of dryness (should be like really dry crust or a crouton), remove the crust. Once cooled grate the bread using a box grater/shredder (think shredded carrots). This will produce nice light crumbs for you to use.

Are panko breadcrumbs tree nut-free?

Generally speaking, yes, panko breadcrumbs are tree nut-free. Always be sure to double check labels because if the breadcrumbs are an “artisan blend” or something of that nature, they can include ingredients that may not be safe for you.

Remember, bread crumbs generally start with white bread, and whilst most white bread is not gluten free, it’s usually nut free.

Can I use panko bread crumbs to coat fish?

Yes, you absolutely can. Panko breadcrumbs are great for coating a wide range of proteins including fish, pork chops, chicken, and more.

Will almond flour work in place of gf panko in a recipe?

It depends on the recipe. First, you should know that straight almond flour won’t produce the same crispy texture you’re going for, unless deep fried. If it’s a baked recipe, or something where the panko is used at a crunchy topping (for a casserole, etc), almond flour won’t get the job done.

Deep frying is more forgiving with a swap like this. Deep fried foods will generally come out crispy, no matter what type of coating you used. Since you can have almond flour, consider making a loaf of bread first (even a quick loaf style of bread). Allow it to cool, then slice your loaf. Re-bake the slices until they’re nicely dried out, cool them, then grate them with your box grater. It’s a lot of extra steps, but if you’re like to get as close to real panko as possible, you’ll need to put in a little elbow grease.

Will gluten free panko hold up to shallow pan-frying?

When planning your delicious gluten free meals that require pan-frying, know that your GF panko breadcrumbs should hold up well. However, we all know that not all gluten free bread(crumbs) are made equally. When I use the pan-frying method with my GF panko, I like to keep a close eye on it. If I find that it’s going past that golden brown color we all know and love, I remove the food from the heat.

I transfer said food to a baking tray that’s lined with parchment paper, and I finish the cook in the oven. This keeps the exterior nice and crispy whilst the interior continues to cook. When you finish baking fried foods in the oven like this, you don’t run the risk of the crispy crumbs going soggy.

Ask The Allergy Chef: Are Panko Breadcrumbs Gluten Free