Crispy Italian Breadcrumbs Recipe

Introduction

Crispy Italian breadcrumbs are a simple way to add texture and fresh herbal flavor to your dishes. Made from stale bread and aromatic herbs, they transform everyday meals with a satisfying crunch. This recipe is quick, easy, and perfect for topping pasta, salads, or roasted vegetables.

Ingredients

• 6 ounces stale bread (about 6 slices)
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh thyme (finely chopped)
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the bread in the bowl of a food processor along with the rosemary, thyme, and dried parsley. Blitz until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
2. Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over low heat. Add the whole garlic cloves and cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the oil to absorb the garlic flavor.
3. Step 3: Remove the garlic cloves from the pan, then stir in the breadcrumbs and salt. Increase the heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes until the breadcrumbs turn golden and crispy.
4. Step 4: Remove the pan from heat and transfer the crispy breadcrumbs to a baking sheet to cool completely.
5. Step 5: Serve the breadcrumbs on top of your favorite pasta or dishes to add crunch and flavor. They pair especially well with lemon butter garlic pasta.

Tips & Variations

• Use any sturdy stale bread like sourdough or country loaf for best texture.
• Add a pinch of chili flakes for a spicy kick.
• Substitute fresh herbs with Italian seasoning if fresh is unavailable.
• Omit garlic for a milder flavor, or mince it finely and mix directly into breadcrumbs before cooking.
• For extra crispness, dry the breadcrumbs in a low oven before frying.

Storage

Store cooled crispy breadcrumbs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Reheat them briefly in a dry skillet to restore crispness before serving if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh bread instead of stale bread?

Stale bread works best because it’s drier and creates crispier breadcrumbs. If using fresh bread, toast it lightly in the oven to dry it out before processing.

How can I use these crispy breadcrumbs?

They are perfect as a crunchy topping for pasta, salads, roasted vegetables, or soups. They add texture and a burst of herbal flavor to many dishes.

Crispy Italian Breadcrumbs Recipe

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These Crispy Italian Breadcrumbs are a flavorful and crunchy topping made from stale bread, fresh herbs, and garlic-infused olive oil. Perfect for adding texture and an herby punch to pasta dishes, salads, or roasted vegetables.

• Author: nova
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: About 1 cup of crispy breadcrumbs 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Breadcrumbs

• 6 ounces stale bread (about 6 slices)
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh thyme (finely chopped)
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

For Cooking

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Prepare the bread crumbs: Place the stale bread along with the finely chopped fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, and dried parsley into the bowl of a food processor. Blitz the mixture until it forms coarse crumbs, not too fine to ensure crunchiness.
2. Infuse the olive oil with garlic: Pour the olive oil into a saucepan and add the whole garlic cloves. Heat the oil on low for about 3-4 minutes, allowing the garlic to infuse its flavor deeply into the oil without burning.
3. Cook the breadcrumbs: Remove the garlic cloves from the infused oil. Add the breadcrumb mixture and salt to the pan. Increase the heat to medium and cook the breadcrumbs, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes, until they turn a beautiful golden brown and become crispy.
4. Cool the breadcrumbs: Take the pan off the heat and transfer the toasted breadcrumbs onto a baking sheet. Let them cool completely to maintain their crisp texture before storing or serving.
5. Serve: Sprinkle these crispy Italian breadcrumbs on top of your favorite pasta dishes, salads, or roasted vegetables to add a delightful crunch and herbaceous flavor. They’re especially delicious on lemon butter garlic pasta.

Notes

• Use stale bread to achieve the best texture for breadcrumbs.
• Make sure not to burn the garlic as it will impart a bitter flavor to the oil.
• Store cooled breadcrumbs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
• These breadcrumbs can be used as a topping or incorporated into meatballs or casseroles for added texture and flavor.

Keywords: crispy breadcrumbs, italian breadcrumbs, garlic breadcrumbs, herb breadcrumbs, pasta topping, crunchy breadcrumbs, homemade breadcrumbs