19 Delicious Ways to Use Panko Breadcrumbs

Crispy Tonkatsu

Let’s begin with a timeless favorite. Tonkatsu is the quintessential Japanese dish featuring a breaded, boneless pork chop. 'A simple yet special recipe,' says Trish. 'It’s another perfect use for panko breadcrumbs.'

Chicken Kiev

Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, with a surprise garlic-butter filling—this chicken dish is sure to wow. 'It’s one of the best chicken dishes you’ll ever have,' says Chef John. 'It’s also one of the best garlic and butter experiences you’ll ever taste.'

Mashed Potato Cakes with a Crispy Panko Crust

Panko elevates leftover mashed potatoes to a whole new level of deliciousness. Treat them like you would a fish cake, and coat them in panko crumbs for an extra crunch. 'This idea of dredging them in panko is brilliant,' says Trish. 'I’ll definitely do this from now on.'

Crispy Panko-Coated Chicken Breasts

Panko is just as perfect with chicken as it is with pork. 'Delicious,' says Carrie. 'I loved the crispy panko coating! It was such an easy recipe, packed with flavor! I added a sprinkle of Parmesan on top. So tasty!'

Chef John's Scotch Eggs

Panko breadcrumbs create the perfect coating for Scotch eggs. 'In my version, I keep the egg soft, so when you bite in, you experience the amazing contrast between the molten yolk and the crispy sausage exterior,' says Chef John.

Pumpkin Lobster Mac and Cheese

Panko makes an excellent topping for casseroles that would typically be finished with breadcrumbs or potato chips. Here's a more refined, adult-friendly mac and cheese recipe that demonstrates this perfectly.

Shrimp Cakes

"I love Asian-style shrimp or fish cakes, but I often avoid them because they're loaded with too much filler or binder," says Chef John. Not with this recipe. "If you want to experience shrimp cakes in their purest form, this is the recipe to try. It takes just a few minutes with a food processor." Serve them with Chef John's Thai-Style Sweet Chili Sauce.

Smoky Black Bean Burgers

Make your burger game better with panko. 'WOW, these are AMAZING!' says Maybelle. 'I never leave reviews, but these were too good to keep quiet about. They came together so quickly, and from now on, I’ll never buy pricey veggie burgers again.'

Japanese-Style Deep-Fried Shrimp

Panko gives deep-fried foods a light, crispy texture. For this recipe, fresh shrimp are seasoned with garlic powder and then triple-dipped: first in a beaten egg wash, next in a flour and paprika mixture, and finally in panko crumbs. The shrimp turn out wonderfully light, crispy, and golden brown. 'Absolutely fabulous,' says Lola. 'The panko makes all the difference.'

City Chicken

What happens when a humble country chicken goes urban? It becomes pork! This breaded, deep-fried meat-on-a-stick isn’t chicken at all—it’s actually chopped pork tenderloin (or pork shoulder). Chef John tells the tale of this 'mock chicken drumstick': 'City cooks, who couldn't find chicken, used scraps from the cheaper pork of the time to create a similar dish.' Serve it with honey mustard for an extra kick!

Chicken Parmesan

Panko is one of the key ingredients in Chef John's revamped, absolutely mouthwatering Chicken Parmesan recipe. 'Loved it,' says Tanya. 'The chicken turned out perfectly, and the panko breadcrumbs really elevated the dish. This is now my go-to chicken parm recipe.'

Chef John's Cassoulet

'This is the world’s greatest baked bean recipe and a true French classic,' says Chef John. Begin by simmering white beans with garlic, onions, bay leaves, and a whole clove. Then mix in bacon, sausage, and duck confit, and let it all simmer together. Top it with a panko mixture and bake until bubbly and golden.

Savory Ricotta Tart

Panko is light enough to shine in dishes like this ricotta cheese tart. 'I love the simplicity of combining high-quality ricotta with fresh herbs, all baked with just enough eggs to hold it together,' says Chef John.

Baked Jalapeno Poppers

Panko is perfect for lightly breaded appetizers like jalapeño poppers and stuffed mushrooms. 'These poppers were amazing,' says Monica. 'I made them with the surplus of jalapeño peppers from my garden, combined two cheeses with a Mexican cheese blend, and topped them with panko crumbs.'

Crispy Onion Rings

The light, crispy texture of panko breadcrumbs makes them a must for perfect onion rings. Chef John's secret ingredient? Instant mashed potatoes. 'Absolutely amazing,' says Stacie. 'My family are onion ring lovers, and they declared this recipe the best. They stay crunchy even after cooling!'

Panko-Breaded Pork Parmigiana

Boneless pork cutlets are coated in a delicious panko crust. 'With rich marinara and melted mozzarella on top, these crispy Parmesan-crusted pork chops are a worthy rival to the classic chicken version that everyone loves!' says France C. 'For extra sauce, double the marinara!'

Broccoli Bacon Ranch Tots

No matter your age, these broccoli tots are the best way to enjoy your greens. 'Packed with the delicious flavors of bacon, Cheddar, and ranch, all in a low-carb, low-calorie bite!' says Julie Hubert. 'Serve them hot with ketchup, Sriracha, ranch dressing, or any favorite dipping sauce! For a fun twist, they also make amazing savory waffles!'

Tomato and Feta Galette

This dish is perfect for late summer when tomatoes are at their peak. Spread a mixture of Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, feta, and parsley over puff pastry, then layer with sautéed onions and garlic, followed by fresh tomato slices. Top your galette with fresh basil for garnish. 'A light, savory meal to use up all those garden tomatoes,' says tcasa.

Vietnamese Lemongrass Meatballs

A touch of panko gives these ground pork meatballs a fantastic texture. Broiled to perfection and paired with a zesty dipping sauce, these Vietnamese-inspired meatballs offer a delightful mix of spicy, salty, tangy, and sweet flavors. 'We love serving these tasty meatballs over rice or in lettuce wraps,' says lutzflcat. 'They're also perfect as appetizers, and any leftovers can be stored in a resealable bag in the freezer.'

• Essential Pantry Ingredients in the Japanese Kitchen
• 5 Alternatives for Breadcrumbs When You Want a Crunchy Topping
• The Best Japanese Restaurant Dishes to Make at Home