Crispy Pangrattato with Garlic and Olive Oil Recipe
Pangrattato, often referred to as ‘poor man’s Parmesan,’ is a simple Italian breadcrumb topping made by toasting breadcrumbs with olive oil and garlic. It adds a crispy, flavorful crunch to pasta dishes, salads, and vegetables, enhancing texture and imparting a deliciously savory note.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 1 cup pangrattato 1x
- Category: Topping
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably fresh or day-old crusty bread, finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather fresh or stale bread to make breadcrumbs or use store-bought breadcrumbs. Mince or thinly slice the garlic cloves for even flavor distribution.
- Heat Olive Oil: Place a skillet or frying pan over medium heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to warm up gently to infuse flavor without burning the garlic.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced or sliced garlic to the heated oil and sauté lightly for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
- Toast Breadcrumbs: Add the breadcrumbs to the skillet, stirring constantly to coat them evenly with the garlic-infused olive oil. Continue to toast the breadcrumb mixture for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they turn a golden brown color and achieve a crisp texture.
- Cool and Use: Remove the pangrattato from heat and allow it to cool slightly before sprinkling over pasta, roasted vegetables, or salads for a crunchy finish.
Notes
- Use fresh breadcrumbs for a lighter crunch or stale bread toasted and crumbled for a more rustic texture.
- Adjust the amount of garlic to taste; finely minced will blend in more, while sliced will give more bursts of garlic flavor.
- Store leftover pangrattato in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain crispness.
- Pangrattato can be enhanced with additions like chopped herbs (parsley, oregano), lemon zest, or grated cheese for varied flavor.
Keywords: Pangrattato, breadcrumb topping, Italian breadcrumbs, crispy topping, garlic breadcrumbs, pasta topping
