We all have it; those recipes in our collection that call for ‘Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Crumbs’ as the topping. You can pick up bread crumbs and store them on the pantry shelf, but those are usually tasteless and kind of stale. I used to keep a package of these on hand as a pantry staple. One day, while making a casserole, I realized I needed some bread crumbs. That’s it. Just one item was missing from my casserole.
I’m not a person who likes to run to the store for one item. There are several reasons for this, mostly because I don’t feel like putting on makeup for such a short trip. If I don’t put on makeup, I’m sure to run into several people I haven’t seen in years. They offer ‘comforting’ comments like, “You’re looking tired.” And, of course, I always go in for one item and come out with 10. Faced with a trip to the store, I decided, ‘How hard could it be to make bread crumbs?’ As it turns out, it’s not hard at all.
Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Crumbs
These bread crumbs are so simple to make. It takes 5 minutes (or less) of hands-on preparation time and only three ingredients. You can easily make these gluten-free or vegan with a couple of simple swaps. All you need to make your own bread crumbs is Italian or French bread, Cheese, and Italian seasonings. Here’s a money saving tip: I always look for bread in the deli overstock section. It’s much cheaper to buy the buns there.
Printable Recipe:
- 3 Italian or French Sandwich buns (8-inch length each)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 to 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning (always begin with 1 tablespoon and adapt for taste.)
- Break each bun in four pieces.
- Add the buns to a food processor or blender.
- Pulse for 15-20 seconds.
- Add in cheese and Italian seasoning to the bread crumbs.
- Pulse for 10 more seconds or until the crumbs are the consistency you prefer.
Quick Adaptations:
*To Make Gluten-Free Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Crumbs, substitute gluten-free bread.
*To Make Vegan Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Crumbs, substitute vegan bread and vegan cheese.
*You can use other herb and cheese combinations to suit your taste. To make Cheddar-Herb bread crumbs, omit the mozzarella cheese and Italian seasoning and add 1 1/2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese and 1 tablespoon dried chives. If you have fresh chives on hand, you can add 1/2 cup fresh diced chives in place of the dried chives. If you don’t like chives, feel free to substitute an equal amount of rosemary or dill.
Unused bread crumbs can be placed in an airtight bag and stored in the freezer for up to two months. Just pull them out and place them on top of the dish when you need them. If they are frozen, they will take a few minutes longer to brown than freeze bread crumbs.
Have you ever made your own homemade Italian Herb and Cheese bread crumbs? Do you have a favorite bread crumb combination that you like?
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That’s funny…lol, your reason for not wanting to run out to the store. Although it is true, when you are not prepared, is when you invariably meet tons of people. I’ve actually never made bread crumbs and this looks like a great recipe to try out.
I use Italian herb and cheese bread crumbs a lot in my kitchen. I love these flavors. And it’s so great to make it at home!
I didn’t know it is this easy to make bread crumbs. I am excited to try this recipe!
I have never made my own breadcrumbs so thank you for this. I would like to give this a try next time.
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Your Squash Gratin looks delicious and what a perfect excuse to make these Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Crumbs. Great idea! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
This looks easy enough to make and you can use them for so many things! I need to try these!!
My boyfriend uses breadcrumbs for so many recipes! I need to share this with him to try out! Yum!
I definitely need to make these soon. I usually buy them but I bet homemade are so much better.
Ooo, yummy! I would like making and using these special bread crumbs. My mind is spinning with all the ideas!
This recipe is amazing! I would use it to crust chicken breasts for a yummy chicken parm dish!
I like using bread crumbs for different dishes, especially chicken dishes. I like the sound of making my own herb and cheese ones!
These are so good! I make them too and the fam loves them. I haven’t made them in awhile so this is making me want to.
These homemade bread crumbs look so delicious! This is definitely one of the easiest things to make that is so much better than buying it from a jar.
That is easy enough to make. I’ve never tried making my own but now I see the uses are endless.
I haven’t made bread crumbs in ages. Homemade are so much nicer than shop bought. This sounds like a great recipe to try and I can imagine works well on the squash gratin.
I need to try this. I’ve never made my own bread crumbs before. I normally buy them from the store, but I bet I’d like these so much better!
I never tried making bread crumbs before. This recipe would be perfect to include in my recipes that require bread crumbs.
Oh my gosh yes I want these! I am totally going to do this. The breadcrumbs I have are always so boring in something like this looks so good.
I keep stale or older bread to make bread crumbs all the time. You can even freeze them to pull out and make whatever kind of bread crumbs you want. This is one of our favorites.