Crispy Homemade Shake and Bake Mix for Chicken, Pork or Fish

This homemade shake and bake mix is crispy, golden, and made from pantry staples-perfect for chicken, pork, or fish 👇👇

Crispy homemade shake and bake on a chicken leg.

Why I Love This Recipe

This easy homemade mix gives you that crave-worthy crispy coating without deep frying-just sprinkle, press, and bake. You can keep a batch in the freezer for quick weeknight dinners.

Quick to prep - just stir together and store
Healthy homemade recipe - no boxed mix or additives
Make-ahead friendly - lasts for weeks in the freezer
Super versatile - works on chicken thighs, pork chops, or white fish
Budget-friendly - made with ingredients you already have

Next up - Recipe ingredients are below 👇👇

The ingredients to make homemade shake and bake mix are in small individual bowls.

Recipe Ingredients

1 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp granulated sugar (optional)
1 ½ tsp paprika
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp ground black pepper
¼ cup avocado oil or vegetable oil

Makes enough for 6-10 servings of 4-8 pieces per meal.

Step-By-Step Instructions 👇👇

The dry ingredients are mixed together, then oil is added and mixed again to resemble the texture of damp sand.

STEP 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, stir together 1 cup plain breadcrumbs, ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 Tbsp salt, 1 Tbsp granulated sugar (optional), 1½ tsp paprika, 2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, and ½ tsp ground black pepper until evenly mixed.

STEP 2: Add the Oil

Drizzle in ¼ cup avocado oil or vegetable oil and mix with a fork until the mixture looks like damp sand.

Chicken legs are patted dry with a paper towel and then coated with buttermilk.

STEP 3: Prep the Meat

Pat your meat dry with a paper towel. Brush lightly with mayo, mustard, or buttermilk to help the coating stick.

Homemade shake and bake mix is sprinkled on chicken legs, and they are flipped and coated again.

STEP 4: Sprinkle and Press

Place the meat on a lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the shake and bake mix over the top, then gently press it down to help it adhere.

The chicken legs are placed on a wire rack on a baking sheet, and they are sprayed with oil and baked until crispy.

STEP 5: Spritz and Bake

Spray the tops of the coated meat with oil or cooking spray. Bake according to the protein you're using-see the full baking times in the next section below.

Protein-Specific Instructions

For Chicken Thighs or Legs (Bone-In, Skin-On)

Preheat oven to 425°F
Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top
Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until internal temp reaches 165°F

Want more chicken leg ideas? Try my baked chicken legs, oven-baked chicken legs, or these flavorful sweet and sour chicken legs.

For Pork Chops (Bone-In or Boneless)

Preheat oven to 400°F
Use parchment- or foil-lined sheet
Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until internal temp is 145°F

Craving more pork ideas? These baked breaded pork chops and brown sugar balsamic pork chops are both reader favorites.

For White Fish Fillets (Cod, Tilapia, etc.)

Preheat oven to 400°F
Line baking sheet with parchment
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork

Craving more pork ideas? These baked breaded pork chops and brown sugar balsamic pork chops are both reader favorites.

Crispy chicken legs made with homemade shake and bake mix.

Recipe Tips

Sprinkle, don't dip - Instead of dipping raw meat into the coating mix (which can contaminate the rest of the mix), spoon or sprinkle the shake and bake mix over the top of the meat and gently press it in. This keeps the unused mix clean and safe to store for next time.
Let the coated meat rest for 5-10 minutes - After applying the coating, let the meat sit on the baking sheet for a few minutes before baking. This helps the coating stick better during cooking.
Use a rack on your baking sheet - Placing a wire rack on top of a foil-lined baking sheet lets hot air circulate the meat as it bakes. This helps it cook more evenly and gives the coating a crispier texture.
Always spritz with oil - A quick spray of oil or cooking spray over the coated meat is essential. It helps the breadcrumbs turn golden brown and crisp up in the oven.
Avoid overcrowding the pan - Make sure there's space between each piece of meat on the baking sheet. If the pieces are too close together, they'll steam instead of bake, and the coating can turn soft instead of crispy.

Variations and Substitutions

Adding one of these to the shake and bake mix can change the flavor.

Parmesan Crusted - Add ¼ cup finely grated parmesan to the mix.
Spicy Kick - Add ½ tsp cayenne pepper or hot smoked paprika.
Gluten-Free - Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and omit panko.
Sweet + Savory - Add 2 tsp brown sugar for caramelization.

Love parmesan crusts? You'll also like my baked parmesan chicken wings-crispy and crowd-pleasing.

How To Store

Fridge: Store shake and bake mix in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Freezer: For best results, store in a sealed bag or container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

A plate filled with crispy chicken legs coated in homemade shake and bake mix.

FAQs

Can I use this in the air fryer?

Yes! Air fry at 400°F for 12-18 minutes, depending on protein type. Always spritz with oil before cooking.

Why is my coating pale or soggy?

Make sure your oven is fully preheated, your meat isn't too wet, and don't skip the oil spray.

Why did the coating fall off?

Use a binder like mayo or buttermilk, sprinkle and press, and let it rest for a few minutes before baking.

How much coating mix do I need per meal?

About ½ to ¾ cup for every 4-5 pieces of meat.

What To Serve It With

Round out your meal with a simple veggie or side-oven-cooked asparagus, lemon garlic broccolini, or baked honey cinnamon carrots all pair perfectly.
Need something heartier? Try garlic mashed potatoes, smashed potatoes, or garlic butter rice on the side.
You can also keep it fresh with a crisp salad like my classic spinach salad or Greek cucumber salad.

If you love crispy oven-baked meals, check out my oven-fried chicken, baked parmesan chicken wings, or tortilla chip chicken tenders for more crunchy coating inspiration.

Why I Love This Recipe

Recipe Ingredients