Quick Answer
There are several tasty alternatives you can use in place of bread crumbs in meatloaf recipes. Some of the most popular options include crushed crackers, oats, panko bread crumbs, mashed potatoes, ground nuts, cooked rice, quinoa, stuffing mix, cornflakes, bran cereal, and crushed tortilla chips. The key is to use an ingredient that will help bind the meatloaf mixture together.
Bread Crumb Substitutes
If you don’t have bread crumbs on hand, don’t worry! You can still make delicious meatloaf using a variety of pantry staples. Here are some of the best alternatives to use in place of bread crumbs in meatloaf recipes:
Crackers
Crushed crackers like saltines, Ritz, or even graham crackers work well in place of bread crumbs. The crackers add crunch and absorb excess moisture from the meat mixture. Crush about 1 cup of crackers to substitute for 1 cup of bread crumbs.
Oats
Rolled or quick oats can be used instead of bread crumbs. Oats help bind the meatloaf and add great texture. Use 1 cup of dry oats in place of 1 cup of bread crumbs.
Panko Bread Crumbs
Panko are Japanese-style bread crumbs that create an ultra-crispy coating on foods. Use panko in place of regular bread crumbs for a crispier meatloaf crust. The substitution ratio is 1:1.
Mashed Potatoes
Cooked mashed potatoes work beautifully in meatloaf. They bind the mixture well and make the texture light and moist. Use 1 cup mashed potatoes instead of 1 cup bread crumbs.
Nuts
Finely chopped or ground nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts can replace bread crumbs. Nuts add great flavor and crunch. Use about 1/2 to 3/4 cups ground nuts for 1 cup bread crumbs.
Cooked Rice
Cooked white or brown rice subs nicely for bread crumbs. The starch in rice helps hold the meatloaf together. Use about 1 cup cooked rice in place of 1 cup bread crumbs.
Quinoa
This trendy superfood grain has a light, fluffy texture that makes a good substitute for bread crumbs. Use 1 cup cooked quinoa instead of 1 cup bread crumbs.
Stuffing Mix
Use leftover stuffing or dry stove top stuffing to replace bread crumbs. Stuffing seasoning gives great flavor. Substitute 1 cup stuffing for 1 cup bread crumbs.
Cornflakes
Crushed cornflakes add great crunch and texture to meatloaf. Use about 1 cup coarsely crushed cornflakes in place of 1 cup bread crumbs.
Bran Cereal
Fiber-rich bran cereals like All-Bran, Fiber One, or Bran Buds work well in place of bread crumbs. Use about 1 cup bran cereal instead of 1 cup bread crumbs.
Crushed Tortilla Chips
Crushed tortilla chips add Mexican flair to meatloaf. Use about 1 cup of crushed chips instead of 1 cup of bread crumbs for a touch of spice.
| Bread Crumb Substitute | Substitution Ratio |
|---|---|
| Crackers (saltines, Ritz, graham crackers) | 1 cup crackers for 1 cup bread crumbs |
| Oats (rolled or quick) | 1 cup dry oats for 1 cup bread crumbs |
| Panko bread crumbs | 1:1 |
| Mashed potatoes | 1 cup mashed potatoes for 1 cup bread crumbs |
| Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts) | 1/2 to 3/4 cup finely chopped nuts for 1 cup bread crumbs |
| Cooked rice (white or brown) | 1 cup rice for 1 cup bread crumbs |
| Cooked quinoa | 1 cup quinoa for 1 cup bread crumbs |
| Stuffing mix (dry or leftover) | 1 cup stuffing for 1 cup bread crumbs |
| Crushed cornflakes | 1 cup cornflakes for 1 cup bread crumbs |
| Bran cereal (All-Bran, Fiber One, Bran Buds) | 1 cup bran cereal for 1 cup bread crumbs |
| Crushed tortilla chips | 1 cup chips for 1 cup bread crumbs |
Tips for Using Bread Crumb Substitutes
When using a bread crumb alternative in your meatloaf, keep these tips in mind:
- Make sure to use dry ingredients – excess moisture can make the meatloaf fall apart.
- If using a wet ingredient like mashed potatoes or cooked rice, reduce other liquids in the recipe.
- Pre-cook raw oats to help them blend better into the meatloaf mixture.
- Finely chop or grind nuts, crackers, or cereal so they incorporate evenly.
- You may need to add an egg or extra bread crumbs if the substitute ingredient is extra mushy.
- Reduce oven temperature 25 degrees if concerned about overbrowning with starchy substitutes.
- Mix in any seasonings like onions, garlic, herbs, and spices to add lots of flavor.
The most important thing is to use a substitute ingredient that you have on hand and that will help bind the meatloaf mixture together. Avoid extra moist ingredients like yogurt, applesauce, or cottage cheese unless you reduce other liquids. Test the texture before baking and add an egg or more filler if needed.
Meatloaf Recipe with Crackers Instead of Bread Crumbs
Here is a tasty meatloaf recipe using crushed crackers instead of bread crumbs:
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1 cup crushed saltine crackers
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, pork, crushed crackers, onion, egg, ketchup, garlic, salt, and pepper until well blended. Shape into a loaf on a broiler pan.
- In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Spread over top of meatloaf.
- Bake for 1 hour until meatloaf is cooked through and topping is caramelized.
- Let rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
This meatloaf stays tender and moist thanks to the saltine crackers. Feel free to use Ritz crackers, graham crackers, or another type of cracker in place of the saltines. Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans for a hearty and comforting meal.
The Best Bread Crumb Substitutes for Meatloaf
When it comes to making meatloaf, bread crumbs serve an important purpose. They help bind the meat mixture together and absorb excess moisture that could otherwise cause the meatloaf to fall apart.
If you don’t have bread crumbs, there are plenty of pantry items you can use instead. Here is a quick look at some of the best bread crumb substitutes for meatloaf:
| Substitute | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Crackers | Add crunch and absorb moisture well |
| Oats | Bind the mixture and add great texture |
| Panko bread crumbs | Create an ultra-crispy crust |
| Mashed potatoes | Bind well and make the texture light |
| Nuts | Add flavor, crunch, and moisture absorption |
| Cooked rice | The starch helps hold the meatloaf together |
| Quinoa | Light, fluffy texture substitutes well for bread crumbs |
| Stuffing mix | Great flavor and binder |
| Crushed cereal | Crunch and fiber |
As you can see, you have lots of options for bread crumb substitutes when making meatloaf. Simply use what you have on hand to help bind the meat mixture. With the right substitute, your meatloaf will turn out just as delicious without the bread crumbs!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you use bread crumbs in meatloaf?
Bread crumbs serve several important purposes in meatloaf recipes:
- Binding – The starch in bread crumbs acts as a binder to hold the meatloaf together and prevent crumbling.
- Moisture – Bread crumbs help absorb excess moisture from the meat mixture.
- Texture – They add texture and body to the meatloaf.
- Flavor – Bread crumbs provide a mild flavor that enhances other seasonings.
- Browning – Bread crumbs promote nice browning and crust formation when meatloaf bakes.
So in short, bread crumbs make meatloaf more cohesive, moist, and flavorful!
What can be used instead of crackers in meatloaf?
If you don’t have crackers, some good alternatives include:
- Panko bread crumbs
- Crushed cornflakes or bran cereal
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Dry bread crumbs or stuffing mix
- Quick oats or mashed potatoes
- Ground nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans
- Cooked quinoa or rice
Any of these ingredients can substitute for crushed crackers or bread crumbs in meatloaf recipes. They provide texture, moisture absorption, and bind the mixture together.
Can I leave bread crumbs out of meatloaf?
It’s generally not recommended to leave bread crumbs completely out of meatloaf, as they serve an important binding and absorbing purpose. Without any bread crumbs or substitute filler ingredient, the meatloaf is likely to turn out dense, soggy, and prone to falling apart.
To make meatloaf without bread crumbs, your best bet is to use a substitute like crushed crackers, oats, mashed potatoes, or cooked rice. You may also need to add an extra egg or some panko crumbs to help hold the meatloaf together. Leaving out bread crumbs completely though is risky and will likely result in a poor texture.
Is meatloaf supposed to be moist or dry?
A perfect meatloaf should be moist but not soggy. Properly prepared meatloaf has a nice balance – moist and tender on the interior with some texture from the bread crumbs or filler ingredients. The outside crust should be slightly dry and browned.
To achieve ideal moistness, be careful not to overwork the meat mixture. Use a light hand when shaping so you don’t compact it too densely. Allowing the baked meatloaf to rest before slicing also helps preserve moisture.
If your meatloaf turns out too dry, try adding slightly more filler like bread crumbs or ketchup to the meat mixture. You can also brush the top with ketchup or sauce near the end of baking to keep it moist. Refrigerating overnight and slicing cold also helps prevent dryness.