What are panko breadcrumbs?
‘Panko’ translates as ‘breadcrumbs’ in Japanese. Coarsely ground, they come in two varieties – white panko, made from crustless bread, and tan panko, made from whole loaf. Panko breadcrumbs are good for making breaded foods such as goujons and katsu sando and, as they don’t easily absorb oil, result in a lighter, less greasy end product. They can also be used to give a crisp topping to gratin and macaroni cheese.
Where to buy panko breadcrumbs
Cooks’ Ingredients Panko Breadcrumbs, £2.49/150g, Waitrose
Yutaka Panko Breadcrumbs, £3.85/300g, Amazon
Panko breadcrumb recipes
Breaded plaice with sauce vierge
Coat this delicate fish in panko breadcrumbs and serve with a herby sauce vierge for a seasonal dinner idea ready in 30 minutes.

Chicory with mixed pulses and grains
Check out this chicory salad with lentils, borlotti beans and crunchy panko breadcrumbs. This easy recipe comes from Italian restaurant Bancone in Covent Garden.

’Nduja arancini
Check out this crunchy arancini idea with punchy ‘nduja, Grano Padano and saffron. This easy yet impressive recipe comes from Italian restaurant Bancone in Covent Garden.
