10 Matzo Meal Substitutes (With Proper Crumbly Texture)

Are you in a bind and need a Substitution for Matzo Meal? While it’s a common ingredient in Jewish recipes, it may not be common in your pantry or at your local grocery store. The great news is that several alternatives are available that work just the same.

Most of these 10 great matzo meal substitutes are household staples that are readily available in your pantry and the grocery store. Users do need to be wary, as many options are not Passover-friendly. 

Substitution for Matzo Meal

Plain Breadcrumbs

Matzo meal is often used in recipes as a breading or a binder. For this reason, plain breadcrumbs will make an excellent substitution.

It is very important to note that most of these products contain yeast so they cannot be used during Passover.

Additionally, matzo meal contains less moisture, so you’ll find that breadcrumbs do not expand the same way. 

You can make your own yeast-free breadcrumbs. Simply buy a loaf of Passover bread that hasn’t been made with yeast.

After it becomes stale, break it into pieces and then use a food processor to get the fine grain of breadcrumbs. Naan and pita bread are also options to use.

Almond Meal

Ideal for both sweet and savory dishes an almond meal is another great substitute for a matzo meal. This ingredient is kosher, so it can be used any time of the year, including during Passover.

It offers excellent taste, especially in baked goods. When using it in baked goods, you will need to let the food cool completely before cutting it so that it does not collapse. 

It’s made from ground almonds and has a coarse texture, containing the skins. Because of its texture, it makes a great substitute for coating meats or topping casseroles. It’s also readily available at most grocery stores and easily made at home. 

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Panko Crumbs

Panko crumbs are not suitable for use during Passover but make a great substitution for foods you need to coat and fry.

Because of the way they are made, these crumbs stay crisp longer than traditional breadcrumbs. They also don’t absorb as much oil and they have a flaky texture.

This alternative is not ideal for baking. However, they offer a healthier option than traditional breadcrumbs as they are lower in fat, sodium, and calories.

They can be used as a Substitution for Matzo Meal in recipes for meatballs, meatloaf, Pesach rolls, kneidlach, kugel, and matzo fried chicken. 

Matzo Cake Meal

Matzo cake meal is essentially the same as matzo meal except that it is ground much finer. When choosing matzo meal substitutes, this one is suitable for recipes like matzo balls; however, it will result in a denser consistency.

This is because more matzo cake meals will have to be used in place of the matzo meal since it is ground so finely. 

It does not absorb liquid well, so it’s ideal for baking desserts that have a delicate crumbs. Because it’s made from already baked matzo, it won’t develop the same structure in cakes that wheat flour does.

Saltine Crackers

Saltine crackers are a great Substitution for Matzo Meal in a pinch.

Process them in a blender to make them the consistency you want or place them in a plastic storage bag and use a rolling pin on them until they are finely crushed. 

This is an ideal option for binding and breading, making excellent meatloaf or matzo balls.

Ensure you only use the unsalted type as you are trying to recreate the bland flavoring of the matzo meal. Additionally, this is an option that needs to be used outside of Passover.

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Plain Crushed Biscuits

When you’re making a sweet treat, plain biscuits can be an excellent alternative. Anything from rice crackers to scones will work.

You’ll need to process them so that they are a fine consistency like a matzo meal.

Do this either with a blender or a rolling pin. Because these options contain sugar, they are not suitable for savory dishes. 

They work best as an ingredient in a sweet pie crust. Whenever you use biscuits as a substitution in a sweet recipe, you will need to decrease some of the sugar in the recipe to accommodate for the sugar in the biscuits. You cannot use this substitute during Passover. 

Coconut Macaroons

Coconut macaroons are typically enjoyed as cookie-like sweets. However, when you’re searching for matzo meal substitutes for desserts, these treats will make a great crust.

They will need to be processed to a consistency similar to that of a matzo meal. Then they can be used as a base for tarts, cheesecakes, and sweet pies. 

This is not a Passover-friendly option. However, it can be used any other time of the year. The crust bakes quickly, requiring only 15 to 20 minutes in the oven. It will provide a unique flavor addition to your dessert that will leave your guests wowed. 

Semolina

Semolina is a type of flour made from durum wheat. It tends to be coarser than traditional flour and may have a different color depending on the variety of durum it came from.

It can be used in savory, sweet, and baking dishes. It makes an excellent substitute for matzo meals when making matzo balls. 

This is another alternative that cannot be used during Passover. For those with allergies and sensitivities, semolina is very high in wheat gluten so this will need to be taken into consideration before using it.

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Quinoa Flour

When making savory dishes, quinoa flour makes an excellent substitute for matzo meals. It has a slightly bitter undertone that makes it unsuitable for most sweet treats.

However, it will work with sweet recipes that have a strong flavor that can overpower its taste, such as chocolate chip cookies. 

This is a very popular option because it is gluten-free. Additionally, it can be used any time of year, including during Passover.

It is great for enhancing the nutritional content of your food as well as the texture and flavor. Quinoa flour functions as a great all-purpose flour. 

Rice Crumbs

Rice crumbs are a gluten-free Substitution for Matzo Meal. They’re great for coating vegetables and meat.

This option offers an excellent, crispy texture that is sure to make it a favorite in your household. Additionally, this option is kosher. 

You can easily make your own rice crumbs from a rice square cereal like Rice Chex. Either process the cereal in a blender or place it in a plastic bag and crush it with a rolling pin.

Ensure that you make the cereal into a fine grain. The result is very similar to panko crumbs.

Conclusion

With all the options available, if you run out of matzo meal, you’ll never run short of substitutions. With gluten-free and Passover-friendly choices to choose from, there’s something for occasion and need.

Whether baking a sweet treat or a savory dish, there is a Substitution for Matzo Meal that will work for your recipe. Chances are you already have one of the many options in your pantry. If not, your local grocery store is sure to have one on hand.