Meatloaf is a staple food that has the easiest recipe and is known for its versatility. The main hero ingredient of this dish is bread crumbs, which add more crispness and flavor as well as work as a binding agent. But what if you run out of it? Don’t worry, as to sort out this problem we have made an entire list of substitute for bread crumbs in meatloaf which are easily available in your kitchen and work almost the same. So, without any further ado, let’s see what else you can use!
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What is meatloaf?
It is a loaf-shaped staple food that is made either by baking or smoking accordingly. Meatloaf is very nutritious and loaded with protein as it has ground beef, bread crumbs, eggs, vegetables, cheese, and more as its main ingredients.
It is very easy to make and has multiple versions to add a twist in the same. This dish also has a vegetarian recipe in which you can swap meat with pulses and enjoy the meal endlessly. Meatloaf is sliced into small parts to eat more effortlessly with the sides.
Substitute for Bread Crumbs in Meatloaf
Bread crumbs are one of the major ingredients of meatloaf as they give moisture, binding ability, crispness, and flavor to the dish which makes the dish more fulfilling and pleasurable. But if in case you do not have it in your kitchen then you can also use the below-mentioned substitute for bread crumbs in meatloaf. So, let’s begin!
1. Use rolled oats
Rolled oats are oval-shaped, a bit golden-brown in color, and are little toasted which is usually taken in breakfast by the majority of people.
But you can also use it as a replacement for bread crumbs in meatloaf or any other recipe. For this, all you have to do is grind a bowl of rolled oats and add them to your recipe to get the same bind and texture as bread crumbs give. Additionally, you can also add some spices to get extra flavors.
2. Use cornflakes
It is one of the most popular and legit substitutes for bread crumbs in meatloaf as it gives the same crunch and bind in the recipe. They are made up of flattening corn and are rich in protein which adds more value to the meat loaf.
To use this all you have to do is put a bowl of cornflakes into a zip-lock bag and crush them with a rolling pin so that you get the same texture as bread crumbs. The plus fact is that you can also use gluten-free cornflakes to make the dish healthier.
3. Use ground almonds
It might sound strange but ground almonds or a lot of other nut flour carry almost similar value as bread crumbs. It is recommended that you should use ground almonds by replacing flour and adding egg wash into the same to have the best substitute for bread crumbs. Coating into this batter can give more crispiness and bind to the meatloaf so that you get the perfect shape and taste after baking.
4. Use rice
We all know about the presence of a high amount of starch in rice which works wonderfully as a binding ingredient. So, in case you are running out of bread crumbs while making meatloaf then at that time you can use cooked rice as a binding agent and raw rice as a crisp giver.
Its adhesive power makes sure that your meatloaf gets the best shape and holds all the flavors inside. You can use different forms of rice to serve different purposes in your recipe effectively.
5. Use crushed tortilla chips
It is one of the best gluten-free substitutes for bread crumbs in meatloaf and is easily available in markets. To use this, you just need to put some crushed tortilla chips on a plate and roll your meatloaf over it for once.
This is how you can easily make your dish crispy and healthy at the same time with zero effort. You can use this ingredient for other recipes as well like cutlets and filets because of the amazing bind and crunch it offers to the dish. Lastly, make sure to add less salt to the main recipe as tortilla chips already have a bit of salt in them.
6. Use nutritional yeast
If you are vegan then nutritional yeast is the best substitute for bread crumbs in meatloaf and the reasons behind this are its gritty texture and cheesy flavors which are highly liked by people.
This ingredient has a yellow powder-like appearance and works very well as a binding agent in meatloaf. Not only that but it also gives a little crisp on the outer layer when used as batter after mixing in egg wash.
7. Use shredded coconut
Coconut is very light and has a rough texture when shredded, which makes it a compatible substitute for bread crumbs. It easily adheres to the egg-washed dishes and makes the outer layer very crispy and tasty at the same time.
This ingredient is the best choice if you want any dish to be gluten-free and golden brown. You can also use a mix of shredded coconut and egg white to make a lot of sweet dishes but make sure to test the recipe before finalizing.
8. Use cauliflower
Cauliflower is taken very granted but its use as an ingredient can add value and charm to meatloaf. To use this as a substitute for bread crumbs, all you need to do is grind it finely in the mixer until it gets gritty or crumble in texture.
The best part is that cauliflower is gluten-free and has tons of nutrition which makes the meatloaf a healthier option to eat as a staple food.
9. Use seeds
Sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, or chia seeds are some of the best substitute for bread crumbs in meatloaf. To use these ingredients, you just need to grind them finely and turn them into a fine powder with little textures.
After that, just roll out your meatloaf over that and bake to enjoy the dish. Make sure to add a pinch of salt in the jar while grinding the seeds so that the flavors of your recipe come out fantastically.
10. Use crushed potato
Potato is one of the easily available sources of starch which makes it a great binding agent and the best substitute for bread crumbs in meatloaf. To use this, all you have to do is crush the potatoes into a fine texture and roll the meatloaf over it.
It not only binds but also gives crispness to the dish. Lastly, if you are using packaged potatoes then buy only the basic salted ones as other flavored potatoes can change the taste of meatloaf.
FAQs
1. What are the most common substitute for bread crumbs in meatloaf?
The most effective and easily available substitutes are crushed potatoes, cornflakes, ground almonds, cauliflower, and more.
2. Which is the best gluten-free substitute for bread crumbs in meatloaf?
Cauliflower and shredded coconut are the best gluten-free substitute for bread crumbs in meatloaf.
3. What is a meatloaf?
It is a loaf-shaped staple food that is made either by baking or smoking accordingly. Meatloaf is very nutritious and loaded with protein as it has ground beef, bread crumbs, eggs, vegetables, cheese, and more as its main ingredients.
Conclusion
Making and eating meatloaf is not less than a treat to the soul but there are times when you lack some hero ingredients of it like bread crumbs. So, to bail you out of this issue, we shared a long list of the most easily available and compatible substitutes for bread crumbs in meatloaf.
If you want any further help in the recipe or have any queries then please connect with us through the comment box. Till then, thank you for reading!
Preeti Jha is a young writer who loves reading, writing, and using words in the crispiest and clearest way possible. She has 3+ years of industry experience and holds a very good command over language and representation of content. She believes in hard work and dedication when it comes to winning any milestone or getting loyal readers. From reporting and anchoring to writing and radio jockeying, she has an interest in various fields of mass communication.