Pangrattato (Italian Breadcrumbs)

Pangrattato is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. It adds a delicious crunchy texture to pasta dishes, and it's a great way to jazz up a simple salad. You can also use it as a crunchy topping to top soups or roasted vegetables. Plus, since it's so easy to make, you can whip up a batch whenever you need it.

Making your own pangrattato is a great way to use up stale sourdough bread and within a few minutes, you'll have a delicious topping or breading ingredient to use! Try it on top of Pasta Aglio e Olio (Garlic, Oil and Chili Pepper), or as a breading ingredient to make these Oven Baked Crispy Calamari, for extra flavor!

🧾 Ingredients

Pangrattato is a simple and versatile Italian condiment made from simple ingredients. 

• Breadcrumbs: Make your own breadcrumbs from stale bread, either white bread or whole wheat bread. The best choice would be, of course, sourdough bread. But any crusty bread will work fine. Fresh bread breadcrumbs are moist and tender, while stale breadcrumbs are dry and crisp. Both types can be used to make pangrattato, but stale breadcrumbs are preferred because they hold up better when fried.
• Garlic: Garlic is another essential ingredient that adds flavor and aroma to pangrattato. Fresh garlic is preferred, but garlic powder or granules could be used as a substitute.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Good quality extra-virgin olive oil is used to fry the breadcrumbs and garlic until golden brown and crisp. It is best to use extra virgin olive oil for its rich flavor and health benefits.
• Fresh herbs: They're optional, but can be used to get extra flavor, depending on the use. Herbs such as rosemary, thyme, fresh parsley, and basil can be added for extra flavor and freshness to pangrattato. They can be finely chopped or minced and added to the breadcrumb mixture before or after frying.
• Cheese: Grated cheese is another optional ingredient that can be added to pangrattato to enhance its flavor and texture. Parmesan cheese is the most traditional cheese used in pangrattato, but other hard cheeses such as Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano can be used as a substitute.

See the recipe card for quantities.

🍳 Substitutions

Gluten-Free: For a gluten-free alternative to pangrattato, you can use gluten-free breadcrumbs made from rice, corn, or quinoa. You can also use gluten-free croutons or crackers that have been ground into fine crumbs.

Vegan & Dairy-Free: If you want to add cheese to it but are looking for a vegan or dairy-free alternative to the pangrattato recipe, you can use nutritional yeast instead. Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that has a cheesy and nutty flavor. It can be found in health food stores or online. Alternatively, you can use vegan parmesan cheese or a combination of ground nuts and seeds such as almonds, pine nuts, and sunflower seeds to add texture and flavor to the crisp breadcrumbs.

🥣 Variations

• Fresh Herbs: To enhance the aroma of your pangrattato, try adding some fresh rosemary or oregano. You could also add some chopped basil or parsley.
• Citrus: If you want a more citrusy flavor, add some lemon zest or lemon juice to your pangrattato.
• Spicy: Add some red pepper flakes to the olive oil for a little extra kick to the breadcrumbs.

📋 Instructions with Photos

Step 1. Roughly chop the stale bread and add it to the food processor. Pulse until the bread is ground to small crumbs.

Step 2. In a pan on medium-high heat, add the olive oil and garlic. Cook for a minute, then add the breadcrumbs and fry for 2-3 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy.

Step 3. Cook for a minute, then add the breadcrumbs and fry for 2-3 minutes.

Step 4. Pangrattato is ready when the breadcrumbs turn golden brown and crispy.

🔪 Equipment

• Food processor. You can also use a mini food processor if you only need to crumble 2 oz of bread, but make sure it has sharp blades and it's powerful enough to take on stale bread which could be as hard as a rock.
• Frying Pan. A medium-large frying pan will work fine to fry the breadcrumbs.

Serving Suggestions

Pangrattato is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various ways to add texture and flavor to your dishes. Here are some ways you can integrate pangrattato into your cooking.

• With Pasta: Pangrattato is an excellent addition to pasta dishes. You can sprinkle it on top of your pasta to add a crispy texture to your dish. To integrate pangrattato with pasta, cook your pasta as usual, and then sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top of the pasta along with some olive oil. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese to enhance the flavor. Pangrattato is a classic topping to the Pasta Aglio e Olio (Garlic, Oil and Chili Pepper) and it's also the main ingredient in the Tuscan dish Pici alle Briciole.
• Topping for Dishes: Pangrattato can also be used as a topping for various dishes. You can use it as a topping for risotto, salads, soups, roasted vegetables, fish, and casseroles. To use breadcrumbs as a topping, cook them until it is golden brown and crispy. Then, sprinkle it on top of your dish before serving.
• Breadcrumb Coating: Pangrattato can also be used as a breadcrumb coating for meat and fish. To use pangrattato as a breadcrumb coating, mix it with some flour or use it on its own to coat your meat or fish. Then, fry the meat or fish until it is crispy and golden brown.

❄️ Storage & Reheating

Storing

To ensure that your pangrattato stays fresh and crispy, it is important to store it properly. The best way to store it is in an airtight container. This will help to prevent moisture from getting in and causing the breadcrumbs to become soggy. You can store breadcrumbs at room temperature in a dry storage area for up to a week.

Freezing

If you want to freeze your pangrattato, it is important to do so in an airtight container or freezer bag. This will help to prevent freezer burn and keep the breadcrumbs fresh for longer. Frozen pangrattato can last for up to 3 months in the freezer.

When you're ready to use your frozen breadcrumbs, simply take it out of the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. Once it has thawed, you can use it in your favorite recipes just like you would with fresh pangrattato.

Remember, the shelf life will depend on how it is stored. If you store it properly in an airtight container or freezer bag, it can last for up to a week at room temperature or up to 3 months in the freezer.

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