How long do Panko Breadcrumbs last? (Simple Answer)

If you have never used panko, let me tell you that you are missing an incredible ingredient. 

Panko is a type of Japanese breadcrumb, one of the reasons why most Japanese fried foods are just too crispy to our normal fried food. 

You wanted to make a similar kind of dish that you ate in the Japanese restaurant and thought to bring some panko for the recipe from the store or make some at home. 

If you have some leftovers or wonder what the difference between panko and normal breadcrumbs is, this is the best article for you. 

I am here to answer all your queries regarding how long do panko lasts and some known facts about storing panko efficiently.

Let’s learn about the shelf-life of panko breadcrumbs in more detail.

Don’t have time, here’s a Quick Answer.

	Counter	Fridge	Freezer
Panko Breadcrumbs Opened	2 – 3 weeks	1- 3 months	6 months

How long do Panko Breadcrumbs last after Opening?

Panko breadcrumbs are a kind of breadcrumbs that are made using a different process. They are completely dried out and have a flake structure. 

These are some reasons your panko would last a little longer than usual. 

There are several brands selling panko breadcrumbs. You bought a pack from the store and opened it to use panko. 

You weren’t able to finish the complete package of panko. It’s fine; panko can last up to 2 weeks in your pantry if you have stored it properly. 

Did you know: That panko has a flake structure rather than crumbs? Due to this, panko absorbs less oil than usual and is way crisper than regular.

How long do Unopened Panko Breadcrumbs last?

Storing unopened panko bread crumbs is much easier than the opened ones. 

This is because all the packages of panko are commercially packaged, which keeps them safe from moisture. 

Considering that you stored your panko breadcrumbs in the said conditions, your panko breadcrumbs would last around 12 months.

For more information, you can look over the package of panko to know the “Best By” date or “Use by” date. 

Just remember that “Best By” determines the quality of the product and not the safety. But if it has “Use by” dates, then be careful once you pass this date. 

How long do Panko Breadcrumbs last in Fridge?

Panko breadcrumbs should be stored in dry conditions. 

The moisture of the fridge may be harmful to the panko breadcrumbs. But for some necessary reason, you had to store your panko in your Fridge. 

It’s fine, just store them properly, and you will be good to go. If you don’t, the bread’s starch will crystallize, compromising its texture.

Knowing all this, if stored panko breadcrumbs are in the fridge, as we said then they would last around 1 to 3 months. 

How long do homemade Panko Breadcrumbs last?

Technically, panko breadcrumbs can never be made similarly at home. This is because making panko uses a process that is expensive to replicate at home. 

But you can get somewhat similar kinds of results from homemade recipes of panko.

And panko breadcrumbs made at home have a lower shelf-life than store-bought panko. 

If you store them at room temperature, your panko bread crumbs will last around 1 week.

If you store homemade panko in the fridge, its shelf-life will increase. Panko would stay fresh for almost 1 month. 

And if stored in the freezer, your homemade panko would last around 6 months. 

How to Store Panko Breadcrumbs?

Panko is a simple and exciting food item. And storing panko is one of the easiest tasks ever. 

Here are some of the points that will help you easily store your panko, either homemade or store-bought.

The first thing you need to remember is that panko is a product that stays good even at room temperature. 

If you have purchased a package of panko from the store, you can simply store that package in a dry and dark corner of your pantry, and you will be all set for the next 12 months. 

There is no need to store an unopened package of panko in the fridge. 

If you have opened your package of panko or have made some at home, then transfer the panko to an airtight container. 

You can store this container in the pantry if you use it within a week or 2.

Or store the container in the fridge if you are not going to finish using panko quickly. 

Store panko in the freezer in the rarest conditions, such as if you have bought too many panko packages from the store. 

But not all the packages would be used soon. So store them in the freezer. 

How do you keep Panko Breadcrumbs fresh?

Proper storage of panko in an airtight container is one of the best ways to keep your panko fresh. 

 Your panko can seem to crumble and can lose its texture of panko over time either because it is old or it was stored in a cold environment. 

In such conditions, you can simply take a pan and saute panko for about 1 or 2 minutes until they retain its texture. 

Once you do this, you can easily use panko again.

You can also do this process in the microwave. Cover a baking tray with a baking sheet, and spread out panko evenly on the tray. 

Heat it, and you will be all ready to use panko again. 

You can use the same pan mentioned above or the microwave method to give back some texture to panko when it comes time to thaw them. 

Is it ok to use Expire Panko Breadcrumbs?

If your panko is made at home and it’s past 6 months, you should never use it.

You should finish your panko within a month if you have kept it in the pantry. 

However, the same isn’t the case with the panko breadcrumbs bought from the store. 

Store-bought panko can last around 12 months if it is unopened. And can last fresh even after that period for at least 1 or 2 months. 

Can expired Bread Crumbs make you sick?

You have to keep in check the “Best By” date written on the package. Or the ‘Use by” date. 

Better to use them before they expire. But even if you use them after your expiration date within 1 or 2 months, it’s completely fine. 

Why do you ask? Because there won’t be any consequences in the panko causing any sickness as the package is unopened? 

But, if your panko has mold or fungi growing and you use it, you will get sick by eating such expired panko. 

How to tell if Panko Breadcrumbs are bad?

Panko is an interesting condiment that adds that most-needed crispiness to all your favorite fried items. And however long its shelf-life, maybe it will go bad eventually.

Here are some cues to recognize that panko breadcrumbs have gone bad. 

If your panko breadcrumb has lost its color (discoloration), it’s a sign that it has become stale. You can hear it on the pan, but it’s better if you do not use stale panko because it’s unhealthy. 

If your panko has mold or fungi growing on top of your panko breadcrumbs, you know it better to discard it as soon as possible.

If your panko breadcrumbs are crumbled, technically, you can use it, but it won’t get the same texture when fried. 

Tip: You can use crumbled or soft panko breadcrumbs to thicken the soups 

Conclusion

I hope I have answered all your queries regarding how long panko breadcrumbs will last and how you can store them properly.