How to make Italian Style Bread Crumbs

To make Italian-style bread crumbs at home, you can follow these steps:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of dried bread (any type like white, wheat, or Italian bread)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp salt (optional)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Dry the Bread: 

• If your bread isn't stale, you can dry it in the oven. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C), cut the bread into small cubes, and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, until the bread is dry and crispy, but not browned.

2. Process the Bread: 

• Let the dried bread cool. Then, place it in a food processor and pulse until the bread turns into crumbs of your desired texture (fine or coarse).

3. Add Seasonings: 

• To the bread crumbs, add the garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. If you're using Parmesan cheese, mix that in as well.

4. Mix Well: 

• Combine everything thoroughly. You can pulse the mixture a few times in the food processor to evenly incorporate the seasonings.

5. Store: 

• Store the Italian bread crumbs in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to two weeks, or freeze them for longer storage.

Now you have homemade Italian-style bread crumbs ready for use!