Bread crumbs are small pieces of bread that are often used in cooking and baking. They can be made from fresh or stale bread and are typically created by tearing or grinding the bread into tiny bits. Bread crumbs are commonly used as a coating for fried foods, as a filler in meat dishes, or as a topping for casseroles. There are different types of bread crumbs, including fresh bread crumbs, dry bread crumbs, and panko. Fresh bread crumbs are soft and moist, while dry bread crumbs are crispier and have a longer shelf life. Panko is a Japanese-style bread crumb that is lighter and flakier, making it popular for achieving a crunchy texture in dishes.