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Copycat Italian Shake and Bake

Author: Laurie Fleming
Published: May 27, 2025

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This Copycat Italian Shake and Bake Recipe offers a quick and easy way to make a crispy, flavorful coating for chicken, pork, or vegetables right at home. With a blend of Italian seasonings, Parmesan, and a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious meal with a golden, crispy finish. It’s a perfect alternative to store-bought mixes, adding a homemade touch to your favorite dishes!

Copycat Italian Shake and Bake with crispy coating and Italian seasoning.

Craving the crispy, flavorful goodness of Shake and Bake but want to make it at home? Try this Copycat Italian Shake and Bake Recipe!

With a delicious blend of Italian seasoning, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan, this easy-to-make version will give you that perfect crispy coating for chicken, pork, or even veggies, all without the store-bought mix.

If you love homemade Shake & Bake, try my recipe for Homemade Shake and Bake (Copycat Shake and Bake – Keto), Copycat Shake ‘N Bake Recipe, or Copycat BBQ Glazed Shake & Bake.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

✅ Easy to Make: With simple ingredients, this homemade version is quick and hassle-free.

✅ Crispy & Flavorful: The Italian seasoning and breadcrumbs create a perfectly crispy coating for any meat or veggie.

✅ Customizable: You can adjust the seasoning to your taste, making it as mild or flavorful as you like.

✅ Healthier Alternative: Skip the store-bought mix and control the ingredients for a healthier, homemade option.

✅ Versatile: Use it on chicken, pork, or even veggies – the possibilities are endless!

Ingredients Needed

Breadcrumbs: Provide a crunchy, golden base for the coating.
Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a rich, savory flavor to enhance the taste.
Italian seasoning: Brings a fragrant, herb-packed flavor boost to the mix.
Garlic powder: Elevates the savory taste of the coating with a subtle garlic flavor.
Onion powder: Offers a mild, sweet depth to balance the seasoning.
Paprika: Imparts a hint of smokiness and vibrant color to the coating.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning, helping to bring out all the flavors.
Olive oil: Adds moisture to the coating and helps it crisp up perfectly in the oven.

How To Make Copycat Italian Shake and Bake

Mixing breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and spices in a bowl.

Prepare the Coating: In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the ingredients.

Drizzling olive oil into the breadcrumb mixture to moisten it.

Add Olive Oil: Drizzle in olive oil and stir until the mixture is slightly dampened. This helps the coating crisp up during baking.

Coat Your Protein: Dip your chicken, pork, or vegetables into a bit of olive oil or an egg wash, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing down gently to ensure it sticks.

Cooked pork chops in the air fryer basket.

Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), or preheat your air fryer temperature to 400 degrees F, for 3-5 minutes. Place the coated items on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, or air fry at 12-15 minutes, or until golden and crispy, depending on the thickness of the protein. Once baked, remove from the oven and serve immediately with your favorite sides. Enjoy your crispy, flavorful homemade shake and bake!

💡 Recipe Tips for Copycat Italian Shake and Bake

Use Fresh Breadcrumbs: For the best texture and flavor, use fresh breadcrumbs instead of pre-packaged ones. You can easily make them at home by toasting bread and pulsing it in a food processor.
Add More Seasonings: Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your liking! Add extra garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, or even dried oregano for more flavor depth.
Ensure Even Coating: For a more even coating, gently press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken or pork to make sure it sticks and crisps up properly.
Air Fryer Option: You can use an air fryer for even crispier results! Simply cook at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your meat.
Make Extra: Double or triple the coating mix to have extra on hand for future meals. Store any leftover mixture in an airtight container for up to a week.

Storing

Store any leftover Copycat Italian Shake and Bake mixture in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to 2 weeks or freeze it for up to 3 months. Be sure to allow it to cool completely before storing if it has been used and is leftover.

Recipe Faqs

❓ Can I use this for other proteins? Yes, you can use this Copycat Italian Shake and Bake for chicken, pork, fish, or even vegetables for a delicious, crispy coating.

❓ Do I need to use olive oil? Olive oil helps the coating crisp up, but you can substitute it with melted butter or vegetable oil if preferred.

❓ Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! You can prepare the shake and bake mixture ahead of time and store it in an airtight container for later use.

❓ Can I make it spicier? For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or chili powder to the mix.

❓ Can I use gluten-free breadcrumbs? Yes, you can easily substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.

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