A golden, buttery panko crumb that adds crunch to almost anything – salads, pasta, soups, tacos, veggies, seafood and even dips!
Buttery, salty, cheesy crunch – the kind of finishing touch that makes your entertaining spreads that little bit more special.
This is one of those little extras that makes a recipe feel special without adding much effort. A handful of panko breadcrumbs toasted with butter (or olive oil) and a pinch of salt, turns into a golden, crunchy topping that takes just minutes. I stir through a little parmesan at the end for extra flavour.
Meal-prep friendly magic: make a batch once, then sprinkle across multiple meals for days.
Once you’ve made Crispy Panko Breadcrumb Topping, you’ll find yourself sprinkling it on everything – over caesar salads, my Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos, pasta dishes, roasted veggies, soups, salads or even baked fish. It’s a fast, budget-friendly way to add crunch and flavour, and a great way to dress up weeknight meals.
Easy to hold, fun to eat – set out the toppings and let everyone load theirs just the way they like.
How can I use it?
Honestly, this little sprinkle works just about anywhere you want extra crunch and flavour. Some of my favourite ways to use it:
Soups – A handful on top of Toasty Roasted Pumpkin Soup gives you that same satisfaction as dunking bread or croutons (but with less effort).
Veggies – Toss roasted broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, roasted tomatoes or zucchini (courgettes) with a spoonful before serving – instant flavour upgrade.
Seafood – Scatter over baked fish or prawns (shrimp) to mimic that crunchy breadcrumb crust, without the fuss.
Breakfast and snacks – Sprinkle on top of avocado toast, smoked salmon or even eggs.
Entertaining – Use it as a topping for dips like hummus, baba ganoush or whipped feta, or sprinkled over grilled veggies like asparagus or green beans – it makes them look and taste restaurant-worthy.
It’s one of those “finishing touches” that takes a good recipe and makes it feel great, with just a few extra minutes at the stove.
Everyday basics: panko, olive oil, butter and parmesan turned into the crunchiest, most flavour-packed topping in under 5 minutes.Everyday basics: panko, olive oil, butter and parmesan turned into the crunchiest, most flavour-packed topping in under 5 minutes.
If you enjoyed Crispy Panko Breadcrumb Topping, I think you’ll love:
Golden, buttery, crunchy panko breadcrumbs that add instant flavour and texture. Crispy Panko Breadcrumb Topping is ready in minutes, endlessly versatile and meal-prep friendly.
Prep 2 minutesmins
Cook 3 minutesmins
Total 5 minutesmins
Servings: 4
Ingredients
1tspolive oil
1tbspunsalted butter
30g(½cup)panko breadcrumbs (see note 1 for other breadcrumb types)
¼tspsea salt flakes
1tbspfreshly grated parmesan
Instructions
(keeps your screen active)
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large frying pan over medium–low heat. Add the panko and the salt and stir continuously for 2–3 minutes until golden and crisp.
Remove from the heat and stir through the parmesan. Set aside on a plate to cool before using.
Nutrition information
Nutrition Facts
Crispy Panko Breadcrumb Topping
Amount per Serving
Calories
80
% Daily Value*
Fat
6
g
9
%
Saturated Fat
3
g
19
%
Trans Fat
0.2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
2
g
Cholesterol
12
mg
4
%
Sodium
232
mg
10
%
Potassium
19
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
6
g
2
%
Fiber
0.3
g
1
%
Sugar
0.5
g
1
%
Protein
2
g
4
%
Vitamin A
133
IU
3
%
Calcium
30
mg
3
%
Iron
0.4
mg
2
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Note 1 – This recipe is ideal made with panko breadcrumbs. Their odd shapes make this topping textural and delicious. However, you could also use regular breadcrumbs, gluten-free breadcrumbs or homemade breadcrumbs made from day-old bread or sourdough. However, the texture will be less crunchy.
MAKE AHEAD
Can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 3 days.
LEFTOVERS
See the make ahead instructions above for storage. Re-crisp in a dry frying pan over medium–low heat for 1–2 minutes before using. Not suitable to freeze.
For recipes labelled ‘gluten-free’ or ‘dairy-free’, the ingredients included in the recipe are typically gluten- or dairy-free. However, it is the user’s responsibility to carefully check the ingredient panels on the specific brands of products purchased and used. Simple Home Edit cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions.