Toasted Breadcrumbs Recipe

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 05/22/22
Toasted Bread Crumbs

Diana Rattray

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 18 servings
Yield: 3 cups

Breadcrumbs are a great ingredient to have on hand in the kitchen. Good for stuffing or dressings, they are also a tasty addition to vegetable casseroles, pasta dishes, macaroni and cheese, or potato gratins. The best part is that they're easy, quick, and inexpensive to make at home.

Extra-virgin olive oil is recommended in this recipe, though you can choose a flavored oil (e.g., truffle, garlic, or basil) to make them extra special. For the best results, use good quality bakery bread or homemade, with or without the crust. In a pinch, any sliced bread will work just fine, and breadcrumbs are a terrific way to use up stale bread.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups (840 grams) cubed day-old bread, from about 12 slices

  • 4 to 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • Kosher salt, or coarse sea salt, to taste

  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Heat the oven to 325 F.

  3. Place the bread in a food processor. Pulse briefly to make coarse or fine breadcrumbs, depending on your preference. 

  4. Place the breadcrumbs in a bowl and toss them with 4 tablespoons of olive oil. If they need extra moisture, add the extra tablespoon.

  5. Sprinkle with a small amount of kosher salt or coarse sea salt. If desired, toss them with the optional chopped parsley.

  6. Arrange the crumbs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until nicely browned and dry.

  7. Enjoy.

Tips

  • When using day-old bread or bread slices, tear it into smaller pieces before processing.
  • For finer breadcrumbs, let the baked crumbs cool for 5 minutes and process or finely crush them into a flour-like consistency.
  • To store breadcrumbs, place them in a food storage bag, seal, and freeze for up to six months, thawing them before using. 
  • Breadcrumbs are a versatile ingredient. Here are a few suggestions to use them: Use them to bread chicken breasts, veal, chicken nuggets, or fish sticks.
  • Make any salad of your liking and add 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs after mixing the vegetables with the dressing.
  • Use the crumbs as an ingredient in beef, turkey, or chicken meatballs. They add flavor and volume while acting as a binder.
  • Use the crumbs as a thickener in vegetable soups.
  • Mix 1 cup of breadcrumbs with 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and sprinkle the mixture on top of pasta bakes, vegetable casseroles, or creamy chicken preparations.

Recipe Variations

Although plain crumbs are delicious, you can add extra flavor. Use the same amounts as indicated in the recipe, then add one of the following to the mixture before baking:

  • Umami Flavor: Add 1 tablespoon of powdered mushroom flavor. If you can't find it, use 1 tablespoon of dehydrated mushroom soup.
  • Garlic: Add 1 tablespoon of garlic powder.
  • Onion: Add 1 tablespoon of onion powder. Alternatively, use 1 tablespoon of celery salt.
  • Italian Spices: Mix 1/4 tablespoon each of dry rosemary, oregano, sage, parsley, and basil.
  • Spicy Mexican: Add 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon of chile flakes.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
57 Calories
4g Fat
4g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 18
Amount per serving
Calories 57
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 61mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 4g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 13mg 1%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 11mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)