Pangritata (Pangrattato) Crispy Breadcrumbs for Pasta

🍞Ingredients

You really only need three ingredients to make pangritata,

1. Breadcrumbs- Make your own breadcrumbs with dry day-old bread whizzed up in a food processor, or cheat a little and use fluffy light panko breadcrumbs, which are what I prefer to use.
2. Extra Virgin Olive Oil- Good quality extra-virgin olive oil adds to the overall flavour and creates the crunch.
3. Flakey Sea Salt- I love using good flakey sea salt as it adds that essential extra crunch.

Then choose your optional flavourings!

• Thyme or Oregano- Dried thyme and/or oregano are a must for me. You can leave them out, but I love how they add an extra flavour profile.
• Nutritional Yeast Nutritional yeast is deactivated yeast,  sold in flakes, it has a cheesy, slightly nutty flavour and is high in B12, folic acid, selenium & zinc. It's brilliant for adding a cheesy flavour to dishes. This isn't a traditional addition, so feel free to leave it out. But I LOVE it!
• Chilli Flakes- optional, but those who love chilli will love the addition.
• Garlic powder or fresh garlic- I don't add this to my pangritata, but you can if you like!
• Lemon Zest- optional but fresh. Good for a summer pasta.

👩‍🍳Instructions

Making pangritata is super simple! Head down the page to see the recipe card for the full quantities.

If you want to make it with your own homemade breadcrumbs, use some white crusty bread that has been left out to dry up a bit, then blitz it up in a food processor

1. In a non stick pan, add the breadcrumbs.

2) Add the spices and seasonings Drizzle olive oil and gently toast over a medium heat.

3) Finally add the nutritional yeast and toast a little longer. Be careful not to burn the pangritata!

4) The pangritata/pangrattato should be golden and crispy crunchy when ready. Taste and add more salt or seasonings as needed!

Hint: Keep an eye on the pan when you are toasting the breadcrumbs. You really do not want to burn them, and they turn from golden to char quite quickly!

🌿Substitutions & Variations!

This recipe is super simple, so you can really choose your own flavourings to suit your own pallets.

• Gluten-free- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs. Either make your own or buy some.
• Other herbs- Dried parsley, oregano and thyme are all delicious. You could also use dried dill or chives.

🍳Equipment

You really only need a good non-stick frying pan for this pangritata recipe, unless you make your own breadcrumbs, in which case a food processor would be handy.

I love using my Kenwood processor. It's very old now, but you can find a similar one on Amazon.

🍯Storage

I like to make these crispy breadcrumbs in big batches and keep them in an airtight container, ready for immediate sprinkling over pasta dishes. The pangritata keeps for up to a week as long as no moisture gets into the container!

I like to sprinkle Pangritata or Pangritatto on pasta and soups. Take a look at the links below for some yummy ideas you where could sprinkle it onto:

• Creamy Cannellini Bean Tomato Pasta
• Smoked Garlic & Wild Mushroom Pasta
• Spiced Black Bean and Roasted Tomato Soup
• Soothing Butternut Squash and White Bean Soup

This is one of our super quick vegan recipes. If you like simple and quick recipes, then check out this round up of over 35 Delicious Lazy Vegan Recipes.