what are panko bread crumbs?
Header image: Chowhound. Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb traditionally used as a coating for deep-fried foods such as tonkatsu. The biggest difference between panko and standard breadcrumbs is that panko is made from bread without crusts, says Pam Becker, media representative for Progresso, which makes both types. Panko's crustless bread is coarsely ground into airy, large flakes that give fried foods a light, crunchy coating.