Crispy Garlic Bread Crumbs
Learn how to make crispy garlic bread crumbs!
Sometimes the simplest of recipes have the greatest impact!
These crispy garlic bread crumbs are an amazing way to elevate and add texture to salads, pastas, and vegetable sides dishes.
They’re crunchy, flavorful, come together in less than 10 minutes, and lend a delicate garlic flavor to everything they adorn. You can even prep them ahead (full instructions below) to enjoy all week long.
These garlic bread crumbs are made with panko bread crumbs, a Japanese-style of bread crumbs used in traditional dishes like tonkatsu. They are flakier and coarser in texture, which results in a much better bread crumb topping!
If you can’t find panko bread crumbs, I recommend using homemade bread crumbs (pulsed to a coarse texture), as demonstrated in this arugula pasta recipe.
Note: Do not substitute store-bought bread crumbs for this recipe, as they tend to be far too fine in texture.
Flavor Variation Ideas: One of my favorite things about these bread crumbs is that you can flavor them in so many ways! Infuse the olive oil with other aromatics (such as shallots or onion) or stir in finely chopped fresh herbs (such as finely chopped parsley, thyme, or rosemary).
How to Make Crispy Garlic Bread Crumbs:
- Assemble the Ingredients. You’ll need just a few pantry staples to make these crispy garlic bread crumbs: extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, panko bread crumbs, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a medium (8 to 10-inch) skillet over medium heat. Add the smashed garlic cloves and sauté, stirring often, until fragrant and lightly golden brown in color, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the panko bread crumbs to the pan and stir to coat evenly in the oil mixture. Continue cooking, stirring frequently and tossing, until deeply golden in color, about 4 to 6 minutes. Season with the salt and pepper.
- Immediately transfer to a large bowl to cool completely (enjoy or discard the garlic cloves before storing).
Ways to Use Crispy Garlic Bread Crumbs:
- Salad Topping – my favorite way to use these bread crumbs is as a topping on salad, particularly hearty ones like Caesar salad, in lieu of traditional croutons. Unlike croutons, the crispy bread crumbs distribute themselves into the nooks and crannies and add amazing crunch to every bite.
- Pasta Dishes – it might sound redundant to top pasta with bread crumbs, but it is a game changer! Sprinkle on spaghettini with roasted tomatoes, creamy pappardelle or stove-top macaroni and cheese, pesto pasta, or any dish that would benefit from a boost in texture.
- Vegetable Side Dishes – elevate simple side dishes, such as (the best) roasted broccoli, sautéed beet greens or Swiss chard, grilled vegetables, and much more.
How to Store Crispy Garlic Bread Crumbs:
Crispy garlic bread crumbs can be made ahead! Once cool, transfer the garlic bread crumbs to an airtight container, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and store at room temperature. Use within 3-5 days.
If you’re looking to skip the bread, but looking for a similarly texture-filled flavor bomb to sprinkle on dishes, try these Crispy Garlic Chips. They are out of this world!
Crispy Garlic Bread Crumbs
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons (45 mL) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 large garlic cloves smashed
- 1 cup (80g) panko bread crumbs or homemade coarse bread crumbs
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- finely chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, thyme, or rosemary optional
Instructions
- Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a medium (8 to 10-inch) skillet over medium heat. Add the smashed garlic cloves and sauté, stirring often, until fragrant and lightly golden brown in color, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the panko bread crumbs to the pan and stir to coat evenly in the oil mixture. Continue cooking, stirring and tossing frequently, until deeply golden in color, about 4 to 6 minutes. Season with the salt and pepper, and add the finely chopped fresh herbs (if using).
- Immediately transfer to a large bowl to cool (enjoy or discard the garlic cloves before storing).
- Storage Instructions: Once cool, transfer the garlic bread crumbs to an airtight container, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and store at room temperature. Use within 3-4 days.
Tips for Success:
- If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, skip the smashed garlic cloves and stir in finely chopped garlic (or micro-planed) garlic when you add the bread crumbs to the pan.
2 Comments on “Crispy Garlic Bread Crumbs”
I LOVE these crispy garlic breadcrumbs! I seriously make a batch and then sprinkling them on everything for days! My favorite ways to use them are pasta, roasted veggies, and salads but I really feel like the uses are endless. Super simple recipe with such an impact on your final dish!
Thanks so much Christine!!!