Use 3/4 cup cracker crumbs for 1 cup dry breadcrumbs. For meatloaf and burgers, rolled oats work cup for cup, and one slice of dried bread makes about 1/3 cup crumbs.
Ratios from university extension services and King Arthur Baking. Checked .
Breadcrumbs substitutes, best first
- For 1 cup dry breadcrumbs3/4 cup cracker crumbsBest for: meatballs, coatings, casseroles
NMSU, Mississippi State, Colorado State; Illinois lists 1 cup crackers.
- For 1 cup dry breadcrumbs1 cup rolled oatsBest for: meatloaf, burgers, patties
University of Illinois Extension.
- For 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs1/4 cup cornmealBest for: coatings
Purdue.
- For 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs1 cup soft (fresh) breadcrumbsBest for: stuffings, meatballs
Purdue.
- For 1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs1 slice dry bread, crumbledBest for: make your own
Mississippi State; 1 slice soft bread = 3/4 cup soft crumbs.
Why the swaps work
Breadcrumbs absorb moisture to bind ground-meat mixtures and give a crisp coating; crackers, oats and cornmeal do the same jobs.
Questions people ask
Can I use oats instead of breadcrumbs in meatloaf?
Yes, 1 cup rolled oats per cup of breadcrumbs (University of Illinois).
How many breadcrumbs does one slice of bread make?
About 1/3 cup dry or 3/4 cup soft crumbs (Mississippi State).
Sources
- In a Pinch: Ingredient Substitution, Guide E-131 (New Mexico State University Extension)
- Ingredient Substitutions and Equivalents, P1690 (Mississippi State University Extension)
- Ingredient Substitutions, Fact Sheet 9.329 (Colorado State University Extension)
- Cooking Substitution Guide (University of Illinois Extension)
- Substitutions and Equivalents in Food Ingredients, CFS-145-W (Purdue Extension)