Is Bread Crumbs Ultra Processed?
Not Typically Ultra-Processed
Bread crumbs are highly processed (Level 3). Basic bread crumbs are simply dried and ground bread, but commercial varieties frequently add sugar, high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, and artificial flavors.
Key Findings
- •Panko bread crumbs are generally less processed than traditional American bread crumbs
- •The main processing concern is the base bread — if it contains 20 ingredients, so do the crumbs
- •Homemade bread crumbs from quality bread are Level 1-2 with zero additives
Why Is Bread Crumbs Level 3?
Simple bread crumbs require only bread that has been dried and ground — a straightforward mechanical process. However, most commercial bread crumbs start with industrial bread that already contains dough conditioners and preservatives, then add further ingredients. Panko bread crumbs tend to be simpler, made from crustless white bread with fewer additives. Italian-seasoned bread crumbs add herbs but also commonly include sugar, corn syrup, and partially hydrogenated soybean oil. The base bread used is the primary driver of processing level.
Bread Crumbs Processing Level Distribution
How 1,000 bread crumbs products break down by processing level:
Average ingredient count: 27.4 · Average nutrition score: 6.9/10
Bread Crumbs Brand Comparison
Comparing the least to most processed bread crumbs products in our database:
| Product | Brand | Level | Score | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hol-grain, Brown Rice Bread Crumbs | Hol-grain | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Watusee Foods, Organic Plain Chickpea Bread Crumbs | Watusee Foods | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Hol-grain, Brown Rice Bread Crumbs | Hol-grain | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Watusee Foods, Organic Plain Chickpea Bread Crumbs | Watusee Foods | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Hol-grain, Brown Rice Bread Crumbs | Hol-grain | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Watusee Foods, Organic Plain Chickpea Bread Crumbs | Watusee Foods | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Hol-grain, Brown Rice Bread Crumbs | Hol-grain | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Plain Bread Crumbs, Plain | Pope | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Original Bread Crumbs, Original | 365 Whole Foods Market | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Plain Panko Gluten Free Crumbs, Plain | 4c | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
How to Read Bread Crumbs Labels
- 1
Plain panko often has the simplest ingredient list — sometimes just wheat flour, yeast, salt, and oil
- 2
Avoid bread crumbs listing high fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated oils
- 3
Italian-seasoned bread crumbs frequently contain sugar and corn syrup beyond just herbs
- 4
Making bread crumbs at home from stale bread is the simplest option — Level 1-2
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bread crumbs ultra-processed?
Most commercial bread crumbs are Level 3, highly processed. The base bread often contains dough conditioners and preservatives, and seasoned varieties add sugar and corn syrup. Plain panko tends to be simpler.
Are panko bread crumbs healthier than regular bread crumbs?
From a processing standpoint, panko bread crumbs typically have shorter ingredient lists — often just wheat flour, yeast, salt, and oil. Regular seasoned bread crumbs frequently contain added sugars and partially hydrogenated oils.
Can I make bread crumbs at home?
Yes. Drying stale bread and pulsing it in a food processor creates Level 1-2 bread crumbs with no additives. This is the simplest way to control the processing level.