24 Dinner Recipes with Panko Breadcrumbs for a Crispy Bite (2024)

You'll love these crispy and crunchy dinner recipes made with panko breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs (aka Japanese-style breadcrumbs) make the perfect coating on proteins like fish, pork and chicken. Recipes like Panko- & Parmesan-Crusted Baked Scallops and Crispy Baked Turkey Nuggets with Honey-Mustard Slaw are healthy, delicious and oh-so-satisfying.

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Panko- & Parmesan-Crusted Baked Scallops

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These easy baked scallops have a delightful balance of crunchy, golden-brown topping and tender, sweet scallops. They feel decadent like scallops should, thanks to the tasty lemon-butter sauce. Look for uniform scallops; if they're particularly large, you might need to bake them for more than 10 minutes.

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Panko-Crusted Pork Chops with Asian Slaw

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24 Dinner Recipes with Panko Breadcrumbs for a Crispy Bite (1)

Panko breadcrumbs and a high-heat oven lend satisfying crispiness to pork chops without frying. The miso-flavored chops pair with coleslaw, here updated with snow peas, red bell pepper and Asian flavors like ginger, to round out this healthy 400-calorie meal that's ready in under an hour.

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Crispy Panko-Parmesan Baked Shrimp

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This easy baked shrimp dish is crispy, lemony, garlicky, buttery and simply delicious! Toasting the panko before topping the shrimp makes for a super-crispy topping. Serve these flavorful shrimp with over angel-hair pasta and add a green salad or a side of vegetables for a quick dinner that's simple enough for weeknights but fancy enough to serve to company.

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Bruschetta-Topped Crispy Baked Chicken

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A fresh tomato-and-basil topping on panko-crusted chicken cutlets makes an easy meal for family or casual entertaining.

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Parmesan-Crusted Cod with Tartar Sauce

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Panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese give this healthy baked fish recipe delectable crunch for a healthy homemade alternative to fish sticks or fried fish. For the best taste, be sure to use olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray to coat the fish. Serve with roasted carrots and steamed green beans.

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Buttermilk Fried Tofu with Smoky Collard Greens

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Dipping tofu in buttermilk makes the coating stick for a crispy pan-fried tofu, reminiscent of fried chicken. Spicing up the collards with paprika coats them with smoky flavor while keeping this dish vegetarian. And this quick, easy and healthy dinner comes together in just 25 minutes, so it's great for busy weeknights.

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Pork Chops with Garlicky Broccoli

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A little Parmesan in the pork chops' crunchy coating makes it extra-flavorful. The broccoli is simple yet special--try it alongside just about anything you're cooking, but it pairs perfectly with the pork here for a satisfying healthy dinner ready in just 30 minutes.

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Panko-Crusted Chicken

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This recipe is the perfect way to add some extra flavor to your dinner. Combine this recipe with your favorite vegetables and a serving of whole-grains to make a balanced meal.

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Walnut-Rosemary Crusted Salmon

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Salmon and walnuts are both great sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Pair this easy salmon recipe with a simple salad and a side of roasted potatoes or quinoa.

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Southern-Style Oven-Fried Chicken

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A blend of dried spices gives the crispy panko coating on these oven-fried chicken thighs plenty of flavor, and marinating the chicken in buttermilk makes it moist and juicy. If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, you can roast the chicken in a baking dish in Step 5. Serve with your favorite vegetables (bake them alongside the chicken to make it easy) for a healthy comfort food dinner that requires just 20 minutes of active prep time.

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Crispy Baked Turkey Nuggets with Honey-Mustard Slaw

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The crispy coating on these baked turkey nuggets is a flavorful blend of Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. The nuggets pair nicely with the sweet and tangy slaw and honey-mustard dipping sauce.

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Pistachio-Crusted Grouper with Mango-Pomegranate Salsa

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Grouper has a relatively mild flavor, but by adding the bold flavors of pistachio, mango and pomegranate, your taste buds will be delighted! This easy-to-prepare dinner takes just 40 minutes.

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Air-Fryer Popcorn Shrimp

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These air-fried popcorn shrimp get crispy and crunchy with very little oil. The unique flavors are inspired by Mexican fare, with a smoky, spicy dipping sauce and full-flavored shrimp coating. Look for the smallest shrimp you can find so they will cook evenly.

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Skillet Chicken Parmesan

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If you can't find cutlets for this easy chicken Parmesan recipe at your supermarket, place a boneless, skinless breast flat on a cutting board, hold it steady with your palm and, using a sharp knife, slice the breast horizontally into two thin pieces.

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Healthy Oven-Fried Pork Chops

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These whole-wheat panko breadcrumb-coated pork chops get just as crispy as fried chops, but they're healthier. Oven-frying saves you fat and calories while producing chops that are crispy on the outside, yet juicy inside. Serve with steamed broccoli and baked sweet potato for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

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Greek Chicken with Roasted Spring Vegetables & Lemon Vinaigrette

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This Greek-inspired chicken and vegetable sheet-pan meal is bursting with flavor. The chicken is coated in a mayonnaise and bread crumb mixture, roasted alongside asparagus, cremini mushrooms and grape tomatoes and then served with a lemon-feta vinaigrette.

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Crispy Fish Tacos with Charred Corn & Crema

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These tasty fish tacos offer all you need in a taco--they're crunchy, spicy, creamy and acidic, all in perfect balance. The corn and crema add a little extra flair to this fish taco recipe, making it perfect for guests.

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Salmon & Crab Cakes

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These craveworthy fish cakes are made with a blend of crabmeat and pink salmon and coated with a panko-oat crust. Served on a bed of lemony arugula with a yogurt dip, this 45-minute entree is a great choice for a healthy family dinner.

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Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Wings

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Forget the fryer--these baked garlic-Parmesan chicken wings get a crispy coating (without tons of oil) from panko breadcrumbs combined with grated Parmesan cheese. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar glaze gives this healthy appetizer a sweet and tangy finishing note.

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Fish Amandine

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In this quick dinner recipe, fresh tilapia fillets are dipped in a buttermilk-panko coating, sprinkled with almonds and Parmesan, drizzled with melted butter and red pepper and baked until flakey. It may sound complicated, but it takes just 20 minutes from start-to-finish!

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Sheet-Pan Baked Parmesan Chicken with Asparagus & Potatoes

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This one-pan dinner combines savory Parmesan cheese and panko-coated chicken breast with asparagus and potatoes tossed with spices to create an easy meal the whole family will love.

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Pork Cutlets with Maple-Spiced Apples & Red Cabbage

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Pork and apples and red cabbage are meant for each other. Here all three appear in a mélange that brings together the Japanese tradition of panko-crusted pork chops with the New England tradition of seasoning with maple syrup and cider vinegar. Serve with a wild rice pilaf.

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Chicken Potpie with Cauliflower Topping

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You won't miss the crust on this chicken potpie-we promise! We cut the carbs by swapping in a riced-cauliflower-and-panko topping for a thin and crispy top layer that's more nutritious than pie crust (but every bit as satisfying).

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Air-Fryer Fish Cakes

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Typically deep-fried, these tasty fish patties get a little zip from sweet chili sauce and fresh cilantro. Any white fish will work, so select what looks freshest at the best price. The squeeze of lime at the end really brings everything together perfectly, so don't skip it.

24 Dinner Recipes with Panko Breadcrumbs for a Crispy Bite (2024)

FAQs

Is panko crispier than bread crumbs? ›

“Bread used for panko is airier and has more air pockets than regular bread, so when it is made into panko and fried, it is much crunchier and crispier and stays that way longer than regular breadcrumbs,” Yamash*ta says.

How long do homemade panko breadcrumbs last? ›

Once cooled, they can be frozen for later use, or stored in a cool dry place such as your pantry for up to 3 months. Classic panko bread crumbs are made without adding any herbs, but some recipes do call for added herbs or parmesan cheese to your panko mixture.

Should you toast panko before baking? ›

Panko doesn't always have to be fried to get that crunchy goodness, as evidenced by these breaded chicken cutlets and zucchini fries which are both made in the oven. Pro tip: The key is toasting the panko until golden, then breading and baking the final dish.

Do panko breadcrumbs need to be refrigerated after opening? ›

Storage. Fresh panko can be stored at room temperature before opening, and frozen after opening. Put dried panko into an airtight container and store at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Can you use panko without flour? ›

I don't use flour with the panko in this recipe. Parmesan cheese: Use grated cheese in the crumb mixture, and shavings from a hunk of Parmesan to make a pretty garnish for the finished platter of chicken (or just use more grated Parmesan). Parsley: Always use fresh chopped parsley for the best color and flavor.

Is panko baked or fried? ›

Commercially, they are made from special crustless loaves, baked using electrical currents, but if you want to make them at home you can just cut the crusts away. Panko are not typically breadcrumb-shaped, instead being sliced into large, thin flakes with more surface area, and a light, airy texture.

Which is healthier, panko or breadcrumbs? ›

Believe it or not, panko breadcrumbs are healthier than golden/natural breadcrumbs. That's right. Despite your parents' constant proselytising about crusts being the most nutritious part of the bread, crust-less panko breadcrumbs are lower in fat, salt and calories than regular breadcrumbs.

Can diabetics have panko bread crumbs? ›

These dishes include complex carbs like whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs, and air frying makes them lower in saturated fat and sodium compared to traditional breading and deep frying, so they can be enjoyed by those following a diabetes-friendly eating pattern.

Can I use 2 year old bread crumbs? ›

Using Expired Bread Crumbs

Expired bread crumbs can be safe to eat if they do not exhibit signs of spoilage. However, quality can diminish over time. It is crucial to check for freshness and use sensory cues such as smell and texture. If stored properly in a dry, cool place, they may last beyond their expiration date.

Why are panko breadcrumbs so expensive? ›

Panko crumbs are prepared using only the inside white part of the bread. Since no outside crusts are used, they are much whiter than traditional breadcrumbs that are made by grinding all of the bread including the crusts. For these reasons, Panko crumbs tend to be more expensive than traditionally prepared breadcrumbs.

Do you put flour or egg first in panko? ›

The correct dredging order is flour first, then egg, then crumbs. Season all stages of breading foods. That means season the flour with salt and pepper and season the crumbs with salt and pepper. The only exception is when the crumb mixture includes salty ingredients.

What goes first breadcrumbs or egg? ›

The standard breading technique involves first dredging the item with flour, dipping it in egg wash, and then finally coating it with breadcrumbs. This works because the flour sticks to the food, the egg sticks to the flour, and the breadcrumbs stick to the egg.

How to panko fry without eggs? ›

Flour and Water Slurry

To make this egg substitute for frying, combine 1 tablespoon of flour with 2 tablespoons of water until the mixture is lump free. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/8 teaspoon of salt if desired. Use this mixture as you would regular eggs when frying foods.

Is panko healthier than bread crumbs? ›

Believe it or not, panko breadcrumbs are healthier than golden/natural breadcrumbs. That's right. Despite your parents' constant proselytising about crusts being the most nutritious part of the bread, crust-less panko breadcrumbs are lower in fat, salt and calories than regular breadcrumbs.

Can I substitute panko bread crumbs for regular? ›

You can use panko and regular breadcrumbs interchangeably, but the texture will be a little different. Other panko substitutes you might want to try include cracker crumbs, crushed melba toasts, matzo meal, crushed tortilla or potato chips, dry stuffing mix, or crushed cornflakes.

What's the difference between panko bread crumbs and panko flakes? ›

There are two varieties of panko: white panko, which is made from white bread without any crust, and tan panko, which is made from the entire loaf. The bread is processed into large flakes, rather than crumbs, and then dried. Panko has a light, airy, and delicate texture that helps it crisp as it cooks.

How are panko breadcrumbs cooked? ›

Each Authentic Panko crumb has tiny little air pockets (giving it the airy texture) so when frying, hot oil goes into the air pocket and browns the crumb, but when pulled out of the fryer, the hot oil drains out. Providing your menu item a great light crispy coating without a greasy taste.

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