Italian Herb Breadcrumbs

One of the easiest ways to add extra flavour to everyday meals is by keeping a jar of seasoned breadcrumbs in the pantry. They take just seconds to sprinkle over a pasta bake, coat chicken for homemade schnitzel, or add a crispy topping to roasted vegetables.

These Italian Herb Breadcrumbs begin with homemade breadcrumbs, which I make from leftover frozen bread rather than letting it go to waste. In this week’s Friday Pantry Day video, I show you exactly how I turn those breadcrumbs into two different pantry staples: these Italian Herb Breadcrumbs and my Homemade Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix.

Once you’ve made the breadcrumbs, transforming them into seasoned breadcrumbs takes only a couple of minutes. It’s one of those simple recipes that you’ll probably find yourself making again and again because they’re so handy to have sitting in the pantry.

Like all homemade breadcrumb recipes, this one is incredibly easy to scale. I used 200g of breadcrumbs for this recipe, but you can easily double or triple the seasoning depending on how much bread you have available. A standard 700g loaf of bread makes a surprisingly generous number of breadcrumbs, making it an easy way to stock the pantry while reducing food waste.

Watch the Video

In this week’s Friday Pantry Day video, I show you how I turn leftover frozen bread into homemade breadcrumbs before using them to create two different pantry staples: these Italian Herb Breadcrumbs and my Homemade Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix.

It’s a simple process that not only reduces food waste but also gives you two versatile pantry staples you’ll find yourself reaching for throughout the year.

Watch here: How to Never Waste Stale Bread Again

Links to Other Pantry Recipes

This week’s homemade breadcrumbs can also be turned into:

• Homemade Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix

You may also enjoy:

• Homemade Instant Potato Soup Mix
• Homemade Rice Risotto Mix
• Homemade Chicken Gravy Mix | Pantry Staple Gravy Powder

Recipe Card

Ingredients

• 200g homemade dried fine breadcrumbs
• 2 Tbsp Italian herb seasoning

Method

1. Place the homemade dried fine breadcrumbs into a large bowl.
2. Add the Italian herb seasoning.
3. Stir well until the herbs are evenly distributed throughout the breadcrumbs.
4. Transfer to a clean, airtight jar.
   • Condition the breadcrumbs during the first week of storage before storing long term (see Stacey’s Kitchen Tips below).

Ways to Use Italian Herb Breadcrumbs

These seasoned breadcrumbs are perfect for:

• Crumbing chicken, fish, or pork
• Topping pasta bakes and lasagna
• Sprinkling over macaroni cheese
• Adding to meatballs or meatloaf
• Coating homemade schnitzel
• Topping stuffed mushrooms or baked vegetables

Stacey’s Kitchen Tips

• Freeze leftover bread ends until you have enough to make a batch of breadcrumbs.
• Homemade breadcrumbs must be completely dry before storing.
• To condition the breadcrumbs, gently shake the jar once a day for the first week. If you notice any condensation inside the jar, return the breadcrumbs to the oven until completely dry before storing again.
• Homemade breadcrumbs can also be turned into my Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix for another easy pantry staple.

Variations & Substitutions

• Add grated Parmesan powder for extra flavour.
• Stir through garlic powder for garlic herb breadcrumbs.
• Add a pinch of chilli flakes for a little heat.
• Use your favourite dried herb blend.
• Easily double or triple the recipe depending on how many breadcrumbs you have available.

Storage, Freezer & Make-Ahead Notes

• Store in an airtight jar in a cool, dry pantry.
• Once the breadcrumbs have been properly conditioned, they are shelf stable.
• Best used within 6–12 months.
• Always use a clean, dry spoon when serving.

Final Thoughts

This is another recipe that proves how versatile homemade breadcrumbs can be. With just one extra ingredient, you’ve transformed a simple pantry staple into something that adds instant flavour and crunch to everyday meals.

I love having a jar of these Italian Herb Breadcrumbs sitting in the pantry because they’re so easy to reach for. Whether I’m coating chicken, topping a pasta bake, or adding a crispy finish to roasted vegetables, they bring extra flavour with very little effort.

Once you’ve started making your own breadcrumbs, you’ll discover just how many different pantry staples can be created from one simple ingredient. It’s an easy way to reduce waste, save money, and make the most of every loaf of bread.

Stacey