Shake N Bake is a popular seasoned coating mix that allows you to easily bread and bake chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and more. While the original Shake N Bake recipe does add flavor on its own, there are many different ways you can enhance and boost the taste to take your Shake N Bake dishes to the next level. Adding extra seasoning, herbs, spices, and ingredients to the Shake N Bake coating gives it more complexity, transforms the flavor profile, and makes it more robust and delicious. This article will provide tips and recommendations for how to add more flavor and vibrancy to your standard Shake N Bake breading.
Add More Seasoning to the Coating Mix
One of the easiest ways to add more punch to your Shake N Bake coating is to mix in additional seasoning before applying it to your meat or fish. Here are some seasoning ideas to mix into your Shake N Bake:
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Ground mustard
- Cayenne pepper
- Black pepper
- Dried oregano
- Dried basil
- Dried parsley
- Dried dill
Start with 1-2 teaspoons of extra seasoning mixed into your Shake N Bake and adjust to your taste preferences. Combining 2-3 complementary spices and herbs can give the coating more layered flavor. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your own custom spice blends!
Use Flavored Shake N Bake Varieties
In addition to the Original flavor, Shake N Bake makes several flavored and recipe-specific coating mixes. Using one of these pre-made flavor varieties is an effortless way to get more taste into your Shake N Bake dishes. Here are some of the flavored Shake N Bake options to try:
- Cajun Style
- Chicken
- Pork
- Mesquite BBQ
- Honey Dijon
- Lemon Pepper
- Crispy Salmon
The Cajun Style coating has a spicy kick from cayenne and other seasonings. The Chicken and Pork varieties are customized with herbs and spices to complement the meat. Mesquite BBQ offers a smoky charcoal and maple flavor. For a sweet and tangy blend, use the Honey Dijon. Lemon Pepper delivers brightness from lemon zest and black pepper. The Crispy Salmon one has brown sugar, maple, and onion for flavor that works well with fish.
Coat with Wet Ingredients Before Breading
You can easily infuse more flavor into your Shake N Bake dishes by brushing or drizzling wet ingredients onto the meat or fish before dredging it in the Shake N Bake. Try these options:
- Barbecue sauce
- Honey mustard
- Ranch dressing
- Italian dressing
- Teriyaki sauce
- Soy sauce
- Hot sauce
- Lemon juice
- Beer or wine
The sauce, dressing, or marinade will add another layer of taste to the coating and seep into the meat while baking. Barbecue sauce gives a sweet and smoky flavor. Italian dressing brings herbs and vinegar. Lemon juice adds bright citrus zing. Get creative with your favorite condiments and wet ingredients!
Blend Fresh Herbs into the Coating
Incorporating fresh herbs into your Shake N Bake breading gives it a vibrant, aromatic flavor. Try mixing in any of these chopped fresh herbs:
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Mint
- Chives
The parsley, cilantro, basil, and mint will all provide a bright green freshness. Oregano, thyme, rosemary, and sage lend an earthy aroma and flavor. Start with 1-2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs blended into the Shake N Bake coating.
Coat in Flavored Breadcrumbs
For extra crunch and flavor texture, you can coat your Shake N Baked meat or fish in flavored breadcrumbs after baking. Try any of these flavored breadcrumb options:
- Parmesan
- Italian
- Panko
- Cheddar
- Ranch
- Garlic
- Onion
- Cajun
The Parmesan and cheddar breadcrumbs add a savory, cheesy flavor. Italian breadcrumbs provide herbs and garlic notes. Panko breadcrumbs will give an ultra-crispy texture. Cajun breadcrumbs pack a spicy punch. Just pat on some flavored breadcrumbs after baking your Shake N Baked food for more crunch and taste.
Marinate Before Breading
For the most flavor infusion, you can marinate your meat or fish in a marinade or buttermilk before coating and baking with Shake N Bake. Try soaking in any of these options:
- Buttermilk
- Yogurt
- Lemon juice
- Wine vinegar
- Teriyaki marinade
- Italian dressing
The acids in the buttermilk, yogurt, lemon juice, and vinegar will tenderize the meat and allow the flavors to penetrate deeply. Teriyaki and Italian dressing marinades will impart even more seasoning. Let your meat or fish soak for 30 minutes up to overnight before dredging in the Shake N Bake.
Use as Topping for Casseroles
Shake N Bake also makes for a flavorful topping when baked on casseroles. Try sprinkling it on top of these dishes before baking:
- Macaroni and cheese
- Potato casserole
- Green bean casserole
- Squash casserole
The crunchy, savory Shake N Bake topping gives these comforting casseroles an extra punch of texture and flavor. Sprinkle it on liberally before baking so it forms a crispy, seasoned crust.
Bake Onto Vegetables
Shake N Bake isn’t just for meat! You can also coat vegetables in the seasoning blend before baking for a tasty dish. Try coating these vegetables:
- Zucchini
- Yellow squash
- Eggplant
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Green beans
- Asparagus
The Shake N Bake gives these healthy veggies a crisp, peppery exterior. Simply dip the vegetables in a wet ingredients like egg or milk, then coat in the Shake N Bake blend. Bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes until browned and crispy.
Use as Seasoning for Other Dishes
Don’t limit Shake N Bake just to a coating – you can utilize it as a general seasoning for all kinds of recipes. Sprinkle it on meats, vegetables, sides, and more for instant flavor. Try dashing it onto these dishes:
- Baked potatoes
- French fries
- Popcorn
- Hash browns
- Meatloaf
- Roast chicken
- Steamed vegetables
- Salads
- Roasted veggies
The Shake N Bake blend adds seasoning, crunch, and salty flavor to anything it touches! Keep a shaker of it handy in your kitchen anytime you need to add quick taste.
Make a Shake N Bake Crusted Fish
Here is a recipe for Shake N Bake crusted fish fillets, with extra flavor from fresh herbs and lemon:
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs white fish fillets (tilapia, cod, haddock, etc)
- 1 1⁄2 cups Shake N Bake breading
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1⁄4 cup milk
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pat fish fillets dry with paper towels. Cut into smaller pieces if needed.
- In a shallow bowl, mix together Shake N Bake, parsley, dill, and lemon zest.
- In another shallow bowl, beat eggs and milk together.
- Dip fish pieces in egg mixture, then dredge thoroughly in the Shake N Bake blend, pressing to adhere.
- Arrange breaded fish on prepared baking sheet. Bake 15-20 minutes until fish flakes easily and coating is crispy.
- Serve fish fillets warm with lemon wedges.
The fresh dill and parsley give the Shake N Bake coating a flavor boost, while the lemon brightens it up. This crusted baked fish is easy yet impressive!
Make Pork Chops with Spicy Shake N Bake
These Shake N Bake pork chops get kicked up with chili powder and cayenne pepper:
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless pork chops
- 1 cup Shake N Bake breading
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp hot sauce
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
- Pat pork chops dry. Trim off any fat.
- In a bowl, mix together Shake N Bake, chili powder, and cayenne.
- In another bowl, beat egg with hot sauce.
- Dip pork chops in egg mixture, then press into seasoned Shake N Bake.
- Arrange breaded chops on baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes until cooked through.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
The chili powder and cayenne give the Shake N Bake coating a spicy, southwestern flair. The hot sauce in the egg wash adds even more heat and tang. Serve with creamy coleslaw to balance the spices.
Make Oven-Baked Chicken Wings
These crispy oven-baked chicken wings use a Shake N Bake crust for flavor without deep frying:
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs chicken wings
- 1 1⁄2 cups Shake N Bake breading
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1⁄4 cup melted butter
- Ranch dressing, for dipping
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
- Pat chicken wings completely dry. Cut off wing tips.
- In a bowl, mix Shake N Bake with garlic powder.
- Dip wings in melted butter, then dredge in Shake N Bake mixture.
- Arrange wings on baking sheet. Bake 30 minutes until browned and crispy.
- Serve hot with ranch dressing for dipping.
The Shake N Bake gives these oven-baked wings a crisp, delicious crust without needing to deep fry. Enjoy as game-day finger food or a weeknight dinner.
Conclusion
Shake N Bake is a great shortcut to delicious breaded and baked dishes. With just a few extra ingredients added to the coating, you can take the flavor to the next level. Experiment with spices, herbs, sauces, marinades, and other add-ins to customize your Shake N Bake recipe. The possibilities are endless for making this breading mix your own signature blend. Amp up the flavor at home with these easy Shake N Bake tricks!