Homemade Italian Bread Crumbs are the perfect way to elevate your favorite dishes . Made with day-old bread and aromatic herbs and seasonings, these breadcrumbs are crispy, golden, and full of Italian zest. They're perfect for everything from topping casseroles to breading chicken – trust me, you'll never want to buy store-bought breadcrumbs again!
Ready to elevate your dishes with a touch of homemade magic?
These seasoned bread crumbs are a game-changer in the kitchen! Made from day-old bread and a blend of aromatic herbs and spices, they add the perfect crispy texture and burst of Italian flavor to any meal.
Whether you're topping off a casserole, making cast iron meatloaf, meatballs, meatball subs, or breading chicken, these homemade breadcrumbs come together effortlessly.
They will have you wondering why you ever settled for store-bought.
Ingredients
- Bread: Use day old bread ground in your food processor to make your breadcrumbs. Gluten-free bread will work beautifully.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps toast the breadcrumbs to a perfect golden brown. You could use olive oil if you prefer.
- Italian Seasoning: I like the convenience of using a premixed blend, but if you don't have it on hand, use a mixture of parsley, oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary.
- Garlic Powder: Enhances the flavor profile with a hint of garlicky goodness.
- Onion Powder: Contributes a subtle sweetness and depth to the mix.
- Sea Salt: Use your favorite fine salt and adjust the salt level to taste.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground will have the most flavor.
How to Make Breadcrumbs
For the full Italian bread crumbs recipe with measurements, see the recipe card below.
Skillet Method
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
Combine seasonings in a small dish.
Add breadcrumbs to the skillet and sprinkle with seasonings.
Increase heat to medium. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning.
Tips and Tricks
- Picking Bread: Day-old bread slices rather than fresh bread work best for making breadcrumbs, but keep in mind many kinds of bread will work. We love making this with focaccia bread, but whole wheat or even brioche bread will also work.
- Customize: Feel free to adjust the amount of the seasonings and make additions if you like. Red pepper flakes and pecorino romano cheese are both great additions.
- Adjust the Quantity: Make a larger batch of Italian breadcrumbs and freeze portions for quick use in future recipes. You can use the slider below in the recipe card below to scale the recipe if you like.
- Avoid Overcrowding: When using the oven method, spread the breadcrumbs out evenly on the baking sheet to ensure they toast properly.
- Cooling is Key: Let the breadcrumbs cool completely before storing them to maintain their crispiness.
- Storage: You can store your Italian-style breadcrumbs in an airtight container for about four days. For longer storage, I recommend the freezer rather than the refrigerator. They will last longer, and in my experience, the freezer preserves the texture better.
Tools
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- Food Processor or High-Speed Blender
- Baking Sheet or Large Skillet
Recipes to Use Homemade Italian Breadcrumbs
- Brussels Sprout Casserole: This creamy Brussels sprout casserole is a family-friendly dish that's perfect for cozy dinners.
- Macaroni and Cheese with Breadcrumbs: Elevate your mac and cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping that adds an irresistible crunch.
- Quinoa Patties: These quinoa patties are a delicious everyday option for a quick, nutritious meal that's super easy to prepare.
- Slow Cooker Eggplant Parmesan: Slow cooker eggplant Parmesan is a no-fuss, one-pan wonder that comes together effortlessly while you go about your day.
Homemade Italian Bread Crumbs
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- To make your breadcrumbs process about 2 ½ ounces of bread in a food processor until ground. (Weight will vary according to the type of bread; feel free to use the slider in the recipe card to scale the recipe.)
Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Melt the butter in the microwave. Combine the butter, breadcrumbs, and seasonings in a bowl and toss to coat.
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cook for 3 minutes. Toss and cook for another 3 minutes. Stir again. Cook for another 3 minutes, until golden brown.
Skillet
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. In a small dish, stir together Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the breadcrumbs to the skillet and sprinkle with the seasonings. Increase the heat to medium. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the breadcrumbs are crispy and toasted.
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