Can You Use Expired Bread Crumbs? Pro Food Recipes

Last Updated on July 16, 2023 by Amanda P. Brown

You can use expired bread crumbs if they don’t taste sour, moldy, stale, or off smell. However, if you want to know whether Can you use expired bread crumbs, then you can read this article. This article discusses whether can you freeze bread crumbs, do bread crumbs go bad, how to know when bread crumbs have expired, how long bread crumbs last, etc. Let’s check it out below:

Do Bread Crumbs Go Bad

Yes, bread crumbs can go bad. Generally, bread crumbs are created from dried bread, Which gets worse after a certain period. If bread crumbs aren’t stored correctly or left for a long time, they can go bad. For example, when bread crumbs are in contact with moisture, they may become soggy. As a result, it can cause bacteria or mold to grow. 

Also, if your bread crumbs smell strange, have a sour taste, are tasteless, have a change in color or texture, are crusty, have mold growth, and are very dry, then they have gone bad. Moreover, you can also use these bread crumbs for longer by storing them properly in a dry, cool place or an airtight container. Also, you can contact the manufacturer if needed. 

Can You Use Expired Bread Crumbs

You can use expired dried bread crumbs. But using expired bread crumbs is not recommended in most cases. Because with time, their qualities start to deteriorate. Also, harmful bacteria, germs, molds, and pathogens grow in it, harming health. So, it is always better to avoid expired bread crumbs.

How to Determine Whether Bread Crumbs Are Expired?

Below are some tips to determine whether bread crumbs are expired:

1. Strange or Unpleasant Smell

If your bread crumbs have a strange or unpleasant odor beyond their normal smell, they have gone bad. 

2. Mold

If you notice mold growth on your bread crumbs, then you have to understand that bread crumbs have expired.

3. Discoloration

If white, green, or black spots appear in your bread crumbs, they have expired or gone bad.

4. Check the Expiry Date

You can check the expiry date on the packaging of the bread crumbs to know if your bread crumbs have expired, which will help you know if your breadcrumbs have expired.

5. Taste

Although it is not recommended to taste expired bread crumbs, if you’re confused about whether or not your bread crumbs have expired, you can taste a little. If they give a sour, stale, or unpleasant odor when taken by mouth, they have gone bad. 

6. Changes in Appearance

The bread crumbs have gone bad if your breadcrumbs are hard, extremely moist, dry, or clumped together. 

Moreover, if you can see any of the above symptoms on your bread crumbs, you have to understand that they are not edible and have expired, and it is best to throw them away. 

How Long Do Bread Crumbs Last?

Generally, the lifespan of your bread crumbs depends on the type of bread crumbs you’re using. If you use dry bread crumbs and keep them away from humidity. Then they are long-lasting and may last for up to 6 months. Also, if you use fresh bread crumbs, they have some moisture. However, if you store them properly, they can last a few months in the freezer and a week in the cupboard. 

Moreover, bread crumbs usually come in two forms: homemade and store-bought, which can be stored in different ways like a freezer, fridge, and pantry. Let’s see how long bread crumbs last in the table below:

Bread crumbsFreezerFridgePantry
Homemade bread crumbs6 months1-2 months2 weeks
Store-bought bread crumbs1 year 1-3 months
Homemade dried bread crumbs12 months6 months2 weeks
Opened bread crumbs Usually 6 months ( but in the fridge 1 month) 
Unopened bread crumbs Usually 6 months ( but in the fridge 1 week or more) 

Can You Freeze Bread Crumbs

Yes, bread crumbs can be frozen. However, you can freeze bread crumbs if you’d like to keep them for a long time. In this case, you transfer the breadcrumbs to a sealable plastic bag, and you can easily store them in the freezer until there is no major change in their texture.

Read More:

What Happens if You Eat Expired Breadcrumbs?

Generally, expired bread crumbs increase the hazard of harmful pathogens, bacteria, or mold consumption. Which has a huge impact on health. So, it is always better to avoid expired bread crumbs. However, here are some of the health problems that eating expired breadcrumbs can cause:

  • Diarrhea 
  • Stomach ache
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Digestive discomfort
  • Cold
  • Vomiting
  • Food poisoning

How to Save Bread Crumbs

Bread crumbs are usually little pieces of dry bread, which is essential to store correctly. Because breadcrumbs are prone to being chewed by bugs or rodents if not stored correctly, they may go bad or have a reduced shelf life. However, below are some methods of saving bread crumbs; let’s explore them:

Airtight Container/bag

You need to ensure that your bread crumbs are in an airtight container or bag. Because keeping your bread crumbs in an airtight container helps them last longer; otherwise, they may be bad quickly. 

Freezer

If you’d like to keep your breadcrumbs longer, place them in the refrigerator. In this case, you can store them in the freezer by keeping them properly in an airtight container. 

Keep in a Dry and Cool Place

You can easily store your breadcrumbs in a dry and cool place. But you need to ensure that they’re not exposed to moisture. Because they are exposed to moisture, they will develop mold, undesirable textures, and odors, which can cause the breadcrumb to go bad. 

Read More: How Long Does Cooked Brisket Last in the Fridge?

FAQs

Can I Use 2-year-old Bread Crumbs

Generally, you can use appropriately stored 2-year-old bread crumbs, but it is better not to use them because 2 years of breadcrumb storage is a long time. However, instead of using these 2-year-old bread crumbs, you can use a homemade bread crumb or buy a new container of bread crumbs.

What Can I Use Instead of Breadcrumbs

Here are some things you can use instead of breadcrumbs:
·       Panko- ¼ cup
·       Other unsweetened cereals or crushed cornflakes- ¼ cup
·       Soft bread crumbs- ¾ cup
·       Regular rolled oats- 2/3 cup
·       Pretzel or cracker crumbs- ¼ cup 

Final Verdict

Usually, bread crumb is an ingredient used in the cooking process, which is used to make various foods crispy and crunchy, such as chicken wings. However, from the above article, you already know if can you use expired bread crumbs. This article will also assist you in selecting a good breadcrumb. Hope you will benefit from following this article.

You May Also Like to Read:

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top
1 Shares
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin1