DIY Bread Crumbs, Croutons & Stuffing Base with a Dehydrator | Pantry Staples | Holiday Prep

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Get ahead of the holidays with these DIY Pantry Staples, too! www.thepurposefulpantry.com/?s=pantry+staples

[@dianebergschneider4028]

I have made my own breadcrumbs for eons...makes so much sense not to waste...I use all kinds of bread and crackers..but, I freeze and label in my freezer...but, dehydration makes sense, too..if the power goes out, you have some ingredients to work with. My adult kids think I am nuts ...I never throw way old bread, crackers or the like...I don't think I am nuts, however.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Nope - you're not!

[@BlissfulRocker]

You're not nuts at all you're very smart ❤

[@girlnextdoorgrooming]

My adult son used to complain that I had so much food in the fridge, freezer and pantry. Until he had a huge vehicle repair that ate up a huge part of his monthly income. When he said. "We aren't going to have enough money for food!" I finally explained that we were set for 3 months--that was why I put back all that food. He never complained again.

[@ljtminihomestead5839]

Marcie, I'm so glad you did this video. I've been doing this for a couple of months now, both plain stuffing cubes and crumbs. We go through bread crumbs like crazy and stuffing mix like crazy in the winter and holidays. I got tired of paying close to 5.00 for a bag of stuffing mix off season and close to 4.00 for regular size canister of bread crumbs. I'm storing in half gallon jars, I have enough to get through the winter, which was my goal. I spent 4.00 on day old bread and nearest I can figure it's probably 50.00 worth of store product. If that doesn't convince some a dehydrator is well worth it, nothing will!!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

yes!! And it's always surprising that folks don't know how easy it is to do their own, even just with their oven. But I remember being that way back when, too, so that's why I'm trying so hard to teach!

[@monicaluketich3106]

My local grocery store had tried a new type of buns that no one bought. I purchased a huge bag of them (4 or 5 dozen) for under $5. I am presently dehydrating them for crumbs for meat loaf. Thanks for the information!

[@girlnextdoorgrooming]

Save those rosemary stems for simmering in the poultry stock. Stock combined with homemade croutons, dehydrated onions, garlic powder, celery and mushrooms makes great dressing.

[@MrsRGAllen]

Thank you! I will use my dehydrator for this project so I don't have to take out all the heavy pots & pans I'm storing inside the oven.

[@cynforrest]

Wowzer, another brilliant idea!! I see Bread Pudding in my future! Yum. No more wasting bread. 😃 Thank you!

[@MaryWehmeier]

I just bought a small bag of croutons, and a tube of bread crumbs, from Walmart and was flabbergasted at the prices-- even for house brands. I used to make my own-- and I love seasoning my own Italian Breadcrumbs with a couple tablespoons of bulk Italian Seasoning. They taste so much better than the store brand. I'm going back to making my own. Thanks for the reminder!

[@dlawlessloyd]

I dehydrated my first thing ever last night... squash, in my oven. Im HOOKED. So glad i found u! :)

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Hope you enjoy

[@girlnextdoorgrooming]

Lots of bakeries will sell you a bag of day old bread for a real steal. Perfect for this application.

[@JoVo1111]

I love tossing bread that’s still fresh into the dehydrator before using them for French toast. It only takes about 15-20 min in there. Better than leaving out all night when you forget. They really soak up the ‘batter’ and hold their shape better than the soggy slices you get when you use them as is.

[@greenpawsgroomimg2196]

Great idea

[@girlnextdoorgrooming]

Aldi has cotton sack cloth style towels on sale right now. I lay them over my dehydrator trays diagonally, put crumbs and powders on, then fold the corners over the center. My crumbs/powders stay on the tray and dry beautifully.

[@barbaracarlson1331]

I like the idea of using any bread so it isn’t wasted. Thanks!

[@ST-LA]

I have that old ginsu knife I have had it for 40 years it has been a good one

[@JenB.188]

I got your book and found the breadcrumbs "recipe". I got so excited that I pulled out my dehydrator and made breadcrumbs! I love it! Now I don't have to worry about them browning in the oven.

[@Katya-zj7ni]

Those seasoned ones on top of Mac and cheese drizzled with a little oil! Gorgeous, what a topping that would make

[@johnnewton3335]

That's a great idea, I followed your instructions with the herbs and added my own veggie, celery and garlic powders. If its any use to anyone I used an awful supermarket sliced bread that after I tasted it I was on the verge of throwing it away as it was glaggy and tasteless, with your advice I have loads of tasty croutons and some great breadcrumbs. Thanks for the help.

[@jrandall2375]

I make my own sourdough bread. I save all the heels, dehydrate then run through my blender. No point in wasting my homemade bread.

[@patriciasweet9102]

I just set out my heels of bread and air dry . Save till I have a bread bag full then fine grind. So always have some working. Mom taught me this. Have several things of bread will dehydrate.

[@iartistdotme]

Very helpful video - you always cover all the questions I have. Thanks.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Glad it was helpful!

[@suedent5767]

Hi Darcy! Thank you for sharing another great video! I am learning so much! Years ago, I dried homemade sourdough bread in the oven, and it turned out great. Now that I'm dehydrating, I think I'll try it this way. It does have oil in it. So thanks for the tip on short term storage for it. Cant wait to watch your next one! Blessings

[@duroc82]

My mom would use all the dehydrated bread cubes to make stuffing for chicken or turkey. Thanks for sharing your video

[@topaazmoons1]

What a great idea. ty for sharing.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

You are so welcome!

[@Isaree1102]

We save the heels of our bread for the birds in the winter, and it always seemed to go bad before they could be used. This would be perfect for us, thank you Darcy!!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Sounds great!

[@fldesigner5047]

Make croutons. Bread isn't good for birds. Birds need seed, meal worms, etc

[@Isaree1102]

@@fldesigner5047 Even homemade? We don't do much store bought

[@grlnexdoorable]

@@Isaree1102 bread does not contain bioavailable nutrients for birds. It fills them up with empty calories and poor nutrition.

[@girlnextdoorgrooming]

This is a great place to use up home grown herbs. They can be dried at the same time as the bread.

[@marygallagher3428]

Great video, thanks Darcy!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

My pleasure!

[@marvelenelavigne7427]

Thank you for sharing, now I know how to try my bread for crumbs

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

You are so welcome

[@craftybeeshomestead1050]

Thanks for making this video. I was wondering what I could do with my bread if we didn't eat it and not waste it.

[@joeygirl314]

The “funny” thing is…when I’ve gone just prior to holiday meals (1-4 days) to ask for “day old bread” to put through my dehydrator (I am with others - I’m not paying their insane prices for crap that has other preservative crap added)…they don’t have any!!😂😢 Now, I do this as well, but start well in advance! I, too, store in mason jars - or, I have a vacuum sealer that works great, too!! I have a stand-alone dehydrator, but a couple years ago purchased a Breville Oven Air (a “toaster” oven but also a dehydrator and air fryer, but also fits a 13-lb turkey!)…thanks for posting!!❤

[@josselineribot4]

Merci beaucoup pour votre vidéo j'adore les crouton🙂

[@grantmyers7593]

Another bread crumb tip. I make mine from when I have pizza delivered i dry out the bread sticks that come with the meal and they make great bread crumbs since they are seasoned already.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Sounds great! - but remember they will be full of fats/oils, so move through them regularly.

[@grantmyers7593]

@@ThePurposefulPantry i do. I only keep a cup or 2 worth

[@erainasmith2532]

Waste not want not. Your videos are so useful. I'm looking forward to trying this recipe. Btw would you mind sharing where you purchased your mason jar measurement conversation chart? Do you make them? I'd like to purchase one. I enjoy your channel so keep up the food work.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

At Hobby Lobby

[@marygillispie5397]

Yes great idea Will sure start doing the same and several money. Thanks

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lisaapetrie6339]

Love this message

[@tendogman8222]

Nice video… Thanks… 👍

[@nikkirodriguez9529]

Great time saver Darcy! Can you do the same with cornbread? We use bread crumbs and cornbread when making our dressing for the holidays. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Yes you can! Bur cornbread is much higher in fats that regular bread, so you can freeze it or make it a little closer to not have to worry about the rancidity issue - or test it :) Do some now and see how long they last for you in your home.

[@daniellemarceaux7937]

thanks for the idea I'll have to remember that when I have day old bread or bread I don't want to use like you said that would be good thing then i wouldn't wasteing food and i hate wasting food but the only question i have is how do bagels do

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

They work! They are dense, and need to be cut in small pieces, but they can be ground. I find them too dense for croutons (depending on the type), but they can be bread crumbs, too, especially cut long and thin instead of chunks. But it's a great way to make bagel chips, too!

[@daniellemarceaux7937]

@@ThePurposefulPantry that is very true never thought of that that is a very good idea

[@genationbydesign9123]

I have a question that has to do with making vegetable and fruit powders... I was wondering if it is possible and maybe even easier and quicker to use a blender to puree the fruit or vegetables first... and then dehydrate ? I mean if they are going to be made into powder anyways??? I watched your fruit leather videos... so why cant you just blend everything and dehydrate to make a powder out it... Anyways Newbie question Your thoughts... I will check back to see if you answered...Thank you for the awesome video and instruction

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I prefer the chunk method over leather. That's me. You can make leather.

[@susansramblings7848]

I like to make garlic bread and then use that as bread crumbs and croutons .inexpensive way to flavor your food

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Sounds great! I just didn't use it here because of the issue of oils and storage - and wanted to keep it simple. But yes! It's fun! And sweet croutons with banana bread - SO FUN!

[@susansramblings7848]

@@ThePurposefulPantry love the idea of banana bread crumbs..oh and think of all the ways we could use them..yum yum yum!

[@heidisargent267]

Hello. Thank you for all your videos. I feel more confident using my dehydrator. In your video I noticed your beautiful cutting board. Can you tell us about it? I've been looking for a cutting board I like for a while now. Thank you.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

It's the cutting board that America's Test Kitchen recommended as their favorite. It's VERY heavy, very large, but really solid. (my Amazon affiliate link: amzn.to/2VBdfhw )

[@Valleybeautiful]

I've been doing this for years but just using any dried out bread that would otherwise get thrown away. I was shocked at the price of bread crumbs and decided I was never paying for them again. because I just do a few pieces of whatever we have at a time my container of bread crumbs is a mix of all types of bread from wheat to hot dog buns to sourdough. I've never been able to tell when I use it that's there's multiple types of bread. also because many times I'm only doing a few pieces that are already on the dry side, I don't even put them in my dehydrator. I just let tear up the bread into smaller pieces and let it sit out and dry the rest of the way. it usually hardens up quickly.

[@patrice3603]

I do that with gluten free bread because what they sell as gluten free bread crumbs is not actually bread crumbs.

[@mssixty3426]

Pretty crumby/crummy hehehe!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I felt I needed a #punny hashtag or something :D

[@mssixty3426]

@@ThePurposefulPantry 😄

[@debbiegolden-alvarez9555]

Can you break down uses of 1)Oxygen absorbers vrs 2)Desiccant absorbers or are the the same thing? 3)Moisture absorbers? Txs 🤗

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Already did: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYClhmSrmbhljdEsi=Q2CBYa83-SpqIn8C

[@JoVo1111]

You said in the video that you don’t like to use those edge trays for fruit leathers. Do you mind telling me why? I just ordered some for that purpose. Thank you new friend. 😊

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Because I don't like how hard they can be to get the leather off sometimes, and I don't always make leather to eat, I make it to powder and store, and so it needs to be drier, which can be hard to get off those sheets. And if you do leather right, it's not needed anyway, because your leather shouldn't be so watery that it travels.

[@julieneilson7302]

❤ . I have just emptied my freezer of all my bread bits and now in the dehydrator. I’m wondering if baguette bread could be dehydrated to make crostini? ( if I don’t add oil to the sliced bread…. How long would it last in a sealed jar?)

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Not quite the same way as it is when baked. Bread last a long time.

[@lisaaustin6403]

Im just getting into this. But i bought bread last night to make my own crutons. Where are you from. Dosnt the machine dry the food

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

The machine dries the food - that's the purpose of it!

[@JoVo1111]

I’m just full of comments apparently. Lol To make my bread crumbs last a really long time is I store them in the freezer. That goes for store bought too. This is, assuming you have freezer space. 😊

[@jessicaquiroz7178]

Can the bread crumbs be done in the oven, too?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Yes you can!

[@upnorthhomestead5965]

I was given a few bags of garlic salad cubes. I am going to grind it to use as bread crumbs. If I use oxygen absorbers and vacuum seal. How long do you think I am safe to store in glass jars?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Not at all because of the amount of fat likely in those cubes (if they are like croutons). They don't have an extremely long shelf, life, so just store them in an airtight container and try to use them.

[@DutchAlaskagirl]

You added some of the crumbs from the cubes with oil to the jar of rough crumbs. Wouldn’t that limit the storage?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

One isn't likely to - and I don't store for long-term. These are short-term because any oil and fat in the recipe also is an issue.

[@cathlinejohnson1856]

I may have missed it if you mentioned it, but how long does the dehydrated bread last in mason jars? Thank you 😊

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Until it doesn't. It's hard to give an exact time depending on what kind of bread you are using, etc. Just know that it's not for long-term storage, rotate through it often, and check on it. Rancidity happens at different times for the amount of fat in your product and the heat in your pantry. It could be two months, it could be four. Your nose will tell you if it's turned rancid.

[@girlnextdoorgrooming]

What happens if you toss the bread crumbs in bullion powder?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Nothing more than seasoned bread crumbs

[@noahriding5780]

Do you have a suggestion for an alternative to wheat bread crumbs? thanks

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Use whatever bread you use now

[@joeygirl314]

@Noah Riding - if you’re looking for a more keto-friendly answer (or, perhaps gluten-free, since you mentioned wheat)…I’ve had success making a decent keto- or gluten-free bread recipe, and dehydrating for this purpose…OP is right - use what you have now…works great!

[@goldieleyva3002]

Can you let me know what blender that is that you are using please. It isn't the same one you have listed on the amazon store.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I use a Cosori coffee grinder, a Nutrininja bullet blender and a Vitamix.

[@stephaniemaxie9291]

I use cornbread in my dressing, I usually freeze leftover cornbread but I'm always trying to make more space in the freezer. Would dehydrating cornbread make it shelf.stable?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

As I mentioned - it's all shelf-stable until the fats become rancid. So you just need to be mindful to check on it if you opt to keep it on the shelf.

[@pennyp4187]

❤️

[@livingthegoodlifeinwales]

Hi Darcy. Fab video and I found you through Lady Leisa of @suttonsdaze. I have soooo much bread in my freezer so I need to do something with it. I have always made croutons and breadcrumbs to put them in the freezer. Want to make some and put these on my pantry shelves. Always worried about how long it would last in an airtight container. If no oil on the breadcrumbs will they really last 8 months or so? Thank you.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

All I can say is they will last until they don't :) They will last a long time if they only have a little oil/fats.

[@livingthegoodlifeinwales]

@@ThePurposefulPantry thank you for that.

[@gailreese4699]

I have some stove top stuffing I need to do something with . I want to put it in my blinder and chop it up would that be ok to use on chicken fingers?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Sure

[@gailreese4699]

@@ThePurposefulPantry Thank you .

[@kathonaker8363]

Could you do this with cornbread?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Yes - and I do believe I mentioned that in the video ;)

[@username00009]

Do you have ideas for making panko-style breadcrumbs? I just looked it up, and Pioneer Woman has a recipe, but she says the authentic mass-produced version is made by spraying dough into the small pieces for baking.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I don't try. If she has a version, give hers a try and see what you think about it. I just purchase it because it is not something easily replicated at home.

[@username00009]

@@ThePurposefulPantry thanks! I’ll report back here if I give it a try.

[@girlnextdoorgrooming]

TPW is a fraud in a lot of ways. She is no longer a folksy lady who sells a recipe show. Now she is Martha Stewart wanna be. Adam Ragusea has a wonderful video about Panko bread crumbs and why home made don't taste the same. He interviewed the owner of the company and gives a tour. This video and others will show you how full if it TPW is.

[@daniellemarceaux7937]

i was gifted some baget bread am not going to beable to get threw them before they dry out do you think they would be fine for bread crumbs i don't know but i hate wasting them so i was hoping you could help me

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

They can work. But they are dense, so cut them in thin slices to help. Flavor those slices and you have bagel chips!!!

[@shawnlorenz9215]

Can you vacuum seal them right away in jars?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Conditioning is always recommended when you are new and getting to know what foods are really like then they are fully dry - but I wouldn't bother vacuum sealing. Just use them in a timely fashion. Just like the commercial variety - bread products may not last forever because of rancidity.

[@shawnlorenz9215]

@@ThePurposefulPantry ok thank you. I just wanted to try out the new vacuum sealer that you recommended

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

If you do - put a muffin paper or paper towel over the crumbs so they don't interfere.

[@robinbrannan5932]

What temperature do you dry your croutons on please?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Not only is that information in the video, it's also in the associated blog post that's in the description box. ;)

[@robinbrannan5932]

@@ThePurposefulPantry thanks. I noticed that after I asked. 😐. Sorry. Should have been more patient. Lol

[@elsie3255]

So for making bread crumbs, small and large, you could put them in a ZipLock and beat the crumb out of them and not use the fancy, noisy, electric thingamabob that uses electricity, aye? :-)

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I do remember saying that, yep.

[@lisaaustin6403]

How do I get for food down to a powder

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

A coffee grinder, bullet blender or big blender.