Perfect Italian Breadcrumbs {from Scratch!}

Homemade Italian Breadcrumbs are easy to make, economical, a great way to use up old bread, and YOU control the ingredients! Or leave out the herbs for plain seasoned breadcrumbs.

Homemade Italian Breadcrumbs with text overlay.


 

If you decide to make a batch of homemade Italian Breadcrumbs, you'll definitely want to try this quick and easy Italian Baked Chicken or these family-friendly Shake 'n Bake Chicken Nuggets!

Y'all know I'm a sucker for make-your-own pantry staples. And today's homage to that theme can be used in countless recipes year-round...simple, effortless, Italian Breadcrumbs!

Italian Bread Crumbs Recipe in bowl with spoon.

To be perfectly honest, y'all, this one is kind of silly. I mean, breadcrumbs? Who can't figure out how to make those? Yet plenty (most?) of us purchase them from the grocery store in a little canister, full of preservatives and artificial ingredients and far more expensive than the pennies that a few slices of bread would cost.

Furthermore, even if you already grind up your own bread into plain breadcrumbs, you might wonder what proportion of herbs to use for Italian Breadcrumbs, since plenty of recipes call for those. Well, no need to Google a recipe the next time you're wondering...I'm going to take care of you right here today!

How to Make Italian Bread Crumbs by adding bread and herbs to food processor.

Why Make Homemade Breadcrumbs?

Italian Breadcrumbs (or homemade seasoned breadcrumbs) take, like, two minutes to make, after which they can immediately be used. Or you can pop them in the fridge or freezer until your next recipe that requires them.

Super simple, no weird additives or preservatives (what exactly is calcium propionate anyway?), and totally economical, particularly since the bread you turn into these crumbs can be old, dried out, and something you were probably about to throw away anyway.

Just think of it as upcycling your bread! 😉

Ingredients

Aerial view of labeled ingredients to make Italian Bread Crumbs recipe.
  • Bread. When you get to the end of a loaf of bread, whether it's The Very Best Homemade Whole Wheat Bread or your favorite store-bought variety, that last heel can be kind of dried out. So I typically toss it in a baggie in the refrigerator or freezer, where it hangs out until it's been joined by a few more rejected bread buddies. There may end up being a lone hamburger bun in there, an old dinner roll, a bit of leftover French bread, some of it 100% whole wheat, some made with white flour. Whatever has seen better days (but isn't stale or molded, of course), I save in my trusty little baggie until I have enough bread to make dirtying my food processor worth my while.
  • Dried herbs. I like to use parsley, basil, oregano, and thyme for that "Italian seasoning" vibe, but feel free to tweak the herbs to your liking.
  • Spices. Specifically, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You could add some onion powder as well if that floats your boat.
Italian Style Breadcrumbs close-up with spoon.

Can You Use Fresh Bread?

If you want to make this Italian Breadcrumbs recipe but your bread is too fresh, preheat the oven to 250°F and place the slices of bread directly on the oven rack.

Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until the bread is dried out and toasty.

Remove the slices from the oven, allow to cool, and then proceed with the recipe.

How to Make Italian Breadcrumbs

Making your own Italian Breadcrumbs is pretty much effortless and takes a matter of minutes! I always grind my dried bread in a food processor, but a blender should work as well.

  1. Cut or tear your stale bread into hunks and put it in a large food processor or blender.
  2. Add dried herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Ingredients in food processor to make Italian Breadcrumbs.
  1. Process, blend, or pulse until fine crumbs form.
How to Make Italian Bread Crumbs in food processor.
  1. Use your Italian Breadcrumbs immediately or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer (depending on how long before you plan on using them).
Glass jar and wooden spoon with Italian Bread Crumbs.

Embarrassingly easy, right?

Customizing the Recipe

Not only are these homemade Italian Breadcrumbs less expensive and healthier than store-bought, but you can also control the sodium and/or tweak the herbs, if desired.

  • For example, if you are watching your sodium intake, feel free to decrease amount of salt. You can also make your breadcrumbs with ¼ teaspoon of salt to begin with, taste, and then add the remaining ¼ teaspoon if you feel it's necessary.
  • If you just loooove basil (or any other herb), go ahead and sprinkle in some extra.
  • Oh, and if you happen to be a lucky duck with fresh herbs at your disposal, you may definitely incorporate those...just increase the amount used by three times, since the flavor of dried herbs is three times more concentrated than fresh.
Close-up of Italian Bread Crumbs in jar.

How to Store Them

After the bread has been processed, simply transfer your Italian Breadcrumbs to an airtight container and refrigerate or freeze for future recipe-making convenience!

If you plan on using your breadcrumbs soon, they will keep in a jar in the refrigerator just fine.

Or, if you made a big batch that needs to last longer, place it inside two layers of freezer baggies and squeeze out any air. Homemade breadcrumbs will stay fresh for several months this way.

Whenever you need some Italian Breadcrumbs for a recipe, you can thaw for a few minutes at room temperature and then measure out. Or you can portion breadcrumbs by the cup or half-cup into small baggies before freezing. Just be sure to label the bag with the amount!

Easy as pie! Er, breadcrumbs. 😉

Italian Bread Crumbs in jar with spoon.

So your assignment today? Go forth and make homemade Italian Breadcrumbs (or plain seasoned breadcrumbs, if that's more your speed)! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain...in fact, I predict you'll never buy breadcrumbs again. 😉

More Homemade Make-Your-Own Kitchen Staples

Italian Bread Crumbs in glass jar.

Perfect Italian Breadcrumbs {from Scratch!}

Homemade Italian Breadcrumbs are easy to make, economical, a great way to use up old bread, and YOU control the ingredients!
Course: Pantry Staples
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 6 ½-cup servings (recipe makes approximately 3 cups)
Calories: 81kcal
Print Pin Rate

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces old/dried out bread, rolls, buns, etc., approximately equivalent to 4 to 5 slices of bread
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Tear stale bread into large pieces. Place in a large food processor or blender. Add dried herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Process/blend/pulse until fine crumbs form.
  • Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer (depending on how long before you use them).

Video

Notes

  • If you are watching your sodium intake, feel free to decrease amount of salt. You can also make your breadcrumbs with ¼ teaspoon of salt to begin with, taste, and then add the remaining ¼ teaspoon if you feel it's necessary.
  • Tweak the herbs to your liking, or if you prefer to use fresh, be sure to increase the amount used since the flavor of dried herbs is more concentrated.
  • If you plan on using your breadcrumbs soon, they will keep in the refrigerator just fine.
  • If storing breadcrumbs in the freezer, place inside two freezer baggies and squeeze out any air. They will stay fresh for several months this way. Whenever you need breadcrumbs for a recipe, you can thaw for a few minutes at room temperature and then measure out. Or you can portion breadcrumbs by the cup or half-cup into small baggies before freezing.

Nutrition

Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 329mg | Potassium: 57mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 2mg
Made this recipe? I'd love to see on IG!Mention @FiveHeartHome or tag #FiveHeartHome!

Post originally published on July 5, 2014, and updated on May 20, 2021, and February 2, 2023.

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Recipe Rating




37 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I let old bread dry, at room temp, and I use a Ninja air fryer, on dehydrate setting for 2 hours, after shredding the bread on a veg grater, course setting…I just made a batch using stale Italian, French baggett, and butter croissants….added 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon salt… because I dehydrated I just put in a zip lock bag and squeezed out the air…next time, I’ll skip the dehydrator and put in freezer….thanks for the awesome tip… will also try a blender vs hand grating…….that French bread bagget was so hard it was like shredding a tree limb…..lol

  2. 4 stars
    I just cleaned my freezer and found a lot of bread. I made a ton of bread crumbs as well as dried pieces for next time I make a stuffed turkey.

  3. 5 stars
    This is my go to recipe for meatballs and meatloaf. So much better than the store bought with all the junk. Plus, my leftover stale Italian bread slices never go to waste!

  4. I can't wait to try this recipe. The store bought Italian style breadcrumbs that I have used in the past include Romano cheese. If I want to add Romano or parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs, do you have a suggested amount? Thank you!

    1. I think you could add as much as you like, Jan! I'd probably start with 1/2 cup...and then stir in another 1/4 or 1/2 cup if I didn't think that was enough. 🙂

    1. Sure, Deronda! You can tweak this recipe however you like. 🙂 Just keep in mind that the breadcrumbs will be a bit bland without the salt. Garlic powder doesn't have sodium, so you should still be able to include that for flavor, unless you just don't like it. And if there's a sodium-free seasoning that you like to use in place of salt, you could add some of that as well. Hope that helps!

  5. 5 stars
    Really like this mixture, it makes chicken/pork etc much more interesting and flavoursome. I tend to dry the bread first, is that correct?

    1. Hi Trevor! I do use old, already-dry bread, but I don't make a point to dry it first. But you certainly can if you wish to!

  6. 5 stars
    Thank you! I was surprised to find high fructose corn syrup in bread crumbs. Just wanted to say thanks for the recipe!

  7. I already have plain panko bread crumbs .. how many cups of the panko would I need for the amount of spices you have on here?

    1. Hi Marni! I haven't tried this recipe using panko breadcrumbs, so I'm not sure how well the herbs and spices would stay distributed. But if you'd like to try, the yield of this recipe is approximately 3 cups of breadcrumbs, so that's probably the amount of panko I'd start with. Good luck!

  8. 5 stars
    I already make my own breadcrumbs so I just wanted a list of seasonings for my own Italian ones.
    If you toast the breadcrumbs they can be kept in a canister in your cabinet and the seasonings bloom as well.

  9. 5 stars
    Thanks for the recipe! I've been wanting to try making my own breadcrumbs but never got around to searching for a recipe. Then I stumbled upon your site via your recipe for your Italian Baked Chicken. Another thought for stale bread...my kids (like many, I assume), refuse to eat the crusts of their sandwiches. I hate throwing them away! Instead, cut them off before making the sandwich, and throw them in the baggie in the fridge, too!

    1. This is such a great use for those discarded sandwich crusts, Lauren! I hate wasting food, and I try to avoid processed items from the grocery store, so this ends up being a win-win. 🙂 Glad it's inspired you to make your own breadcrumbs as well. Hope you enjoy them, and thanks for taking the time to comment! 🙂

  10. 5 stars
    Thanks for this recipe! I was wondering - I already have some homemade plain dry bread crumbs; would I just start with your measurements of the dried spices and adjust to taste? Thanks!

    1. I think that would work just fine, Janet! Sometimes I have homemade plain breadcrumbs in the freezer and I just add Italian seasonings right before using them in a recipe that calls for Italian breadcrumbs. 🙂 Enjoy!

    1. I hope you enjoy using these in lieu of the storebought canisters of breadcrumbs. These taste better and you control exactly what's in them! 🙂

  11. 5 stars
    Oh wow, this is fantastic and you're right, so easy. I love to use Italian Bread Crumbs in so many things.

    1. It's very quick and easy to make your own breadcrumbs and it's nice to be able to control the ingredients and seasonings. Enjoy! 🙂

    1. You're very welcome, Liz! It's simple, but hopefully plenty of people find it useful. 🙂