These cozy, crunchy garlic bread crumbs are a perfect topping for pasta dishes, casseroles, salads, grain bowls, and more! Ready in 5 minutes and great for meal prep.
One thing I always have on my countertop: A jar of these crispy, garlicky toasted bread crumbs. This quick, easy recipe is a regular part of my meal prep routine - and it's my favorite way to add texture and flavor to just about anything.
Make these bread crumbs ahead of time and keep them in an airtight container on the counter: They'll stay crispy all week long!
Ingredients overview
Scroll to the recipe card below for a full ingredients list with exact quantities.
- Panko breadcrumbs have more texture than regular store-bought breadcrumbs, and yield a crisp topping that stays crunchy over time. Look for plain, unseasoned breadcrumbs.
- Garlic powder adds a punch of flavor. Some brands of garlic powder are more intense than others: Adjust the amount you use to suit your tastes.
- Kosher salt helps the flavors pop - don't skip it!
- Fresh cracked black pepper adds a bit of depth (but you can omit this ingredient if you prefer).
Variations and substitutions
- Add extra herbs and spices. This recipe is so forgiving: Add dried herbs (basil, rosemary, thyme) or more spices (onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes) to customize the flavor.
- Swap the butter for extra virgin olive oil or another neutral oil if you prefer.
Step by step instructions
Melt butter in a large skillet, then add your panko bread crumbs and seasonings. Stir everything together, then toast - stirring frequently - for 2-4 minutes until your breadcrumbs are a deep, golden brown.
Once the breadcrumbs start to brown, the toasting process will move very quickly: Keep an eye on them as they cook and stir frequently for even browning!
Pro Tip: Because the pan is hot, the breadcrumbs will continue to brown after you turn off the heat. To prevent burning, keep stirring them for a few minutes once the heat is off, or transfer toasted breadcrumbs to a separate bowl to cool.
Storage
Store cooled, toasted breadcrumbs in an airtight container on the counter at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Alternatively, you can store toasted breadcrumbs in the fridge or freezer, but they don't retain their texture quite as well. We recommend making just what you need for the week and keeping these breadcrumbs on the counter!
Pro Tip: If you use olive oil instead of butter, these breadcrumbs will last on the counter for a week or more. We like the flavor of butter best, and we usually eat these within a few days - but if you'd like to keep them longer, or if you're dairy-free/vegan, use olive oil.
FAQs
Yes! Sauté fresh minced garlic cloves (or a thinly sliced garlic clove) in the melted butter over medium low heat until fragrant, then add bread crumbs and toast normally. If you use fresh garlic, we recommend refrigerating leftover bread crumbs and reheating as needed.
Yes! We like to chop leftover bread slices into crumbs with a food processor, then let the fresh bread crumbs dry completely on a sheet pan on the counter (this process can take a day or two). You can also bake homemade bread crumbs at a low temperature to crisp them up faster. Homemade breadcrumbs have lots of texture and size variation, making them very similar to the store bought panko breadcrumbs we recommend here (also called Japanese breadcrumbs).
We love adding mix-ins like fresh herbs (parsley, dill, basil), lemon or lime zest, or grated parmesan cheese to these breadcrumbs after they're toasted.
The heat from toasted breadcrumbs can wilt fresh herbs and melt grated cheese, so we find it's best to let the crumbs cool completely before adding fresh elements.
If you add fresh mix-ins like herbs or cheese (as opposed to dried herbs and spices), be sure to store breadcrumbs in the fridge instead of on the counter.
Alternatively, you can store plain toasted garlic breadcrumbs on the counter as directed and stir in any fresh ingredients just before serving,
How to use toasted garlic breadcrumbs
Use garlic breadcrumbs to top pasta dishes, caesar salad, vegetables (try our parmesan roasted broccoli or some blue cheese asparagus!) or your favorite macaroni and cheese recipes. Some of our favorite places to add a bit of crunch with toasted breadcrumbs:
📖 Recipe
Garlic Toasted Breadcrumbs
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: Makes 1 cup 1x
- Category: Meal Prep
- Cuisine: American
Description
These quick, crispy garlic toasted breadcrumbs are perfect for meal prep! Keep a batch on the counter and use them as a topping for pastas, salads, grain bowls, and more.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add breadcrumbs, garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper; stir to combine.
- Toast, stirring frequently, for 2-4 minutes until golden brown. Note: This process will move quickly. Keep an eye on the breadcrumbs, stir them frequently for even browning, and remember that they will continue to darken in the hot pan even once the heat is off.
Notes
Additions and Substitutions. Add additional dried herbs (parsley, rosemary, thyme, Italian seasoning) or spices (cayenne, cumin, onion powder, red pepper flakes) to these bread crumbs for additional flavor. Use olive oil instead of butter. Omit the black pepper if you prefer.
Storage. Let breadcrumbs cool completely, then store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days (if you use olive oil instead of butter, toasted breadcrumbs will keep on the counter for a week or more). You can store breadcrumbs in the fridge or freezer for several weeks, but they won't stay as crispy: Toast refrigerated or frozen breadcrumbs in a hot skillet for a minute or two to crisp them back up when you're ready to use them.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Tablespoon
- Calories: 34
- Sugar: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 69 mg
- Fat: 1.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Protein: 0.9 g
- Cholesterol: 1.9 mg
Jessie @ Life As A Strawberry
I make a batch of these garlic bread crumbs *almost* every single week. I add a dusting of crispy breadcrumbs to just about everything, from salad to pasta to potato salad. One of my favorite ways to add flavor and texture, even when I don't have much time to cook! Keeping a jar of these around makes even speedy weeknight dinners feel like they came from a restaurant.