--- title: "Panko: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates" description: "Panko are light, flaky Japanese breadcrumbs that fry up crisper than regular crumbs and soak up less oil. How to use them and what to swap in." url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/panko" --- # Panko Panko are light, flaky Japanese breadcrumbs that fry up crisper than regular crumbs and soak up less oil. How to use them and what to swap in. Also called Panko breadcrumbs, Japanese breadcrumbs. Panko are Japanese-style breadcrumbs. They are made from white bread without crusts, baked so it stays pale, and ground into large, airy flakes rather than fine crumbs. Because the flakes are bigger and drier, they fry up crisper, stay crisp longer and soak up less oil than ordinary breadcrumbs. ## How to use it To bread food for frying: 1. Pat the food dry. Set up three plates: seasoned flour, beaten egg and panko. 2. Dust the food with flour, dip it in egg and let the extra drip off. 3. Press it into the panko so the flakes stick on all sides. 4. [Deep-fry](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/deep-fry) at 170 to 180°C (340 to 355°F) or [shallow-fry](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/shallow-fry) in about 1 cm (½ inch) of oil until [golden brown](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/golden-brown). This is how _tonkatsu_ (pork cutlet), chicken katsu and fried shrimp are made. Panko also works as: * A crisp topping for mac and cheese, [gratins](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/gratin) and baked fish. Toss with melted butter or oil first so it browns. * A binder in meatballs and burgers, where it keeps them tender. * A crunchy garnish. [Toast](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/toast) it in a dry pan, stirring, until golden, then season with salt, herbs or lemon zest. ## Substitutes * Make your own: pulse crustless white bread into coarse crumbs, spread them on a baking sheet and dry them at 150°C (300°F) for 10 to 15 minutes, without letting them brown. * Coarse dried breadcrumbs. They are denser, so the coating is harder and less light. * Crushed cornflakes or crackers, for a crunchy coating. ## How to store it Keep it sealed in a cool, dry cupboard. Once opened, use it within a few months, or freeze it to keep it fresh longer. Stale panko smells flat or rancid. ## Common mistakes * Baking panko-crusted food without fat. It stays pale and dry. Spray or toss with oil. * Frying at too low a heat. The coating soaks up oil and goes soggy. Panko is made from wheat bread, so it contains gluten. [Gluten-free](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/gluten-free) versions are made from rice and are easy to find. ## Recipes that use it 32 recipes from the sites we collect. * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Air-Fryer-Chicken-Nuggets-1-6.jpg)Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipewww.skinnytaste.com · 15 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/air-fryer-chicken-nuggets/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Air-Fryer-Salmon-Patties-8.jpg)Air Fryer Salmon Pattieswww.skinnytaste.com · 25 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/air-fryer-salmon-patties/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Waffled-Salmon-Cakes-6.jpg)Easy (10-minute) Waffled Salmon Cakeswww.skinnytaste.com · 15 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/waffled-salmon-cakes/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/healthy-baked-chicken-nuggets.jpg)Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggetswww.skinnytaste.com · 30 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/healthy-baked-chicken-nuggets/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Air-Fryer-Salmon-Sandwich-5.jpg)Air Fryer Salmon Fish Sandwichwww.skinnytaste.com · 15 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/air-fryer-salmon-sandwich/) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2022/10/chicken-parmesan-1.jpg)Chicken Parmesanwww.onceuponachef.com · 45 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/easy-chicken-parmesan.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2024/03/Crispy-Tilapia-Fingers-Hero-5.jpg)Crispy Pan Fried Fish Fingerswww.onceuponachef.com · 60 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/pan-fried-fish-fingers.html) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Tzatziki-Fish-Tacos-6.jpg)Tzatziki Fish Tacoswww.skinnytaste.com · 25 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/tzatziki-fish-tacos/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Crispy-Air-Fryer-Chicken-Tenders-4.jpg)Air Fryer Chicken Tenderswww.skinnytaste.com · 35 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/air-fryer-chicken-tenders/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Air-Fryer-Honey-Mustard-Pork-Chops-4.jpg)Honey-Mustard Air Fryer Pork Chopswww.skinnytaste.com · 265 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/honey-mustard-air-fryer-pork-chops/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Aloha-Shrimp-Teriyaki-Burgers.jpg)Aloha Teriyaki Shrimp Burgerswww.skinnytaste.com · 105 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/aloha-teriyaki-shrimp-burgers/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/salmon-burger-with-sriracha-mayo.jpg)Naked Salmon Burgers with Sriracha Mayowww.skinnytaste.com · 20 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/naked-salmon-burgers-with-sriracha-mayo/) ## Related terms * [Deep-fryDeep-frying cooks food fully submerged in hot oil, usually 170 to 190°C (340 to 375°F), for a crisp shell and a moist inside. Here is how to do it safely.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/deep-fry) * [Shallow-fryShallow-frying cooks food in about 1 cm of hot oil in a pan, so it comes halfway up the sides. You turn it once for a crisp crust on both sides.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/shallow-fry) * [Golden brownGolden brown is the deep, even gold color food turns as it browns in the oven or pan. It signals flavor from browning and that baked goods are cooked.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/golden-brown) * [Gluten-freeGluten-free on a label means under 20 parts per million of gluten in the EU, UK and US. Here is what that covers and how to cook gluten-free at home.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/gluten-free) * [GratinA gratin is a dish baked in a shallow pan until the top forms a golden crust, often of cheese or breadcrumbs. See how to get it tender and browned.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/gratin) * [ToastTo toast is to brown food with dry heat until it turns golden and smells nutty. Bread, nuts, seeds, spices and coconut all gain flavor from toasting.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/toast) [More in pantry ingredients](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/pantry-ingredients)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)