This Easy Cheesy Crumb Recipe Will Elevate All Your Salads!

Way #1: How to Make Cheesy Crumbs from Panko

Ingredient List:

• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2–3/4 tsp seasoned salt (No seasoned salt? Use 1/4 tsp each granulated garlic + smoked paprika, 1/8 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp kosher salt)
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 3 tbsp grated Pecorino Romano Cheese (the kind that looks like sand)

Way #2: How to Make Cheesy Crumbs from a Homemade Bread Crumb

Ingredient List:

• 4 pieces of old hard bread (if not rock hard, dry out in a 200°F oven)
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2–3/4 tsp seasoned salt (see above if you don’t have)
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 3 tbsp finely grated Pecorino

Cheesy Crumbs FAQ:

Can I make these gluten-free? Yes. Use gluten-free bread or gluten-free panko. Everything else stays the same.

Can I substitute Parmesan for Pecorino? Yes. Pecorino is saltier and sharper, but Parmesan works beautifully.

How long do they keep? Baked crumbs: up to 1 week in an airtight container at room temperature. Skillet crumbs: best within 3–4 days. If they lose crispness, re-toast briefly in a dry skillet.

Can I freeze them? Yes. Freeze in an airtight bag and allow to come to room temperature before using. You may need to re-toast in a dry skillet or in oven.

Why sift out the fine breadcrumb dust (for baked version)? The fine powder burns easily! You need to sift out any floury bits before proceeding with the recipe.

Easy Cheesy Breadcrumbs 2 Ways

Course: SaladsDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Panko Version

• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/2-3/4 tsp seasoned salt (if you don’t have seasoned salt, use scant 1/4 tsp each granulated garlic and smoked paprika, 1/8 tsp sugar and kosher salt to taste)

• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)

• 3 tbsp grated Pecorino cheese (the kind that looks like sand works best)

• Homemade Bread Crumb Version

• 4 pieces of a few days old sandwich or sourdough bread (it needs to be rock hard- if it isn’t there yet, dry it out in a 200°F oven for about 1 hour)

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1/2-3/4 tsp seasoned salt (if you don’t have seasoned salt, use scant 1/4 tsp each granulated garlic and smoked paprika, 1/8 tsp sugar and kosher salt to taste)

• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)

• 3-4 tbsp Pecorino cheese

Directions

• Panko Cheesy Crumbs: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the crumbs and toast for a few minutes. Add the seasoned salt and Italian seasoning (if using) and continue toasting, stirring often, until golden, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in Pecorino, and cool on a paper-towel lined plate.
• Homemade Bread Crumb Cheesy Crumb: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a small sheet pan with parchment paper. Using a food processor, pulse the broken bread pieces into crumbs just smaller than a pencil eraser. Using a fine mesh strainer, sift out whatever got pulverized into flour (it will burn). Toss the crumbs with oil, seasoned salt, Italian Seasoning (if using) and Pecorino. Bake 15 minutes, stirring once halfway through cook time. Cool completely.