If you’ve ever wondered how to make Easy Homemade Croutons, you’re in for a treat! These crispy bites are a fantastic way to add a little extra crunch to your salads, soups, or casseroles. Plus, they’re so easy to whip up with leftover bread.
This recipe solves stale bread waste by turning dry cubes into crunchy croutons, saves time with simple steps, and prevents soggy leftovers.
I often find myself with a half-eaten loaf of gluten-free bread sitting there, and I hate wasting food. This recipe helps me solve that problem! Turning that leftover bread into croutons means less waste and a delicious addition to our meals. And the best part? You can customize them just the way you like.
Making croutons doesn’t take much time. You can prep them in about 5 minutes and they’ll be ready in 20. That’s just 25 minutes to go from old bread to crispy snacks! With a few seasonings, you can create all sorts of savory flavors that match your taste.
If you love trying new things, you might enjoy making a salad to go with your croutons. If you want a refreshing pairing, check out this Mexican Street Corn Salad.
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Crispiness level: You can easily adjust how crispy you want your croutons to be, so they fit perfectly in your salads or soups.
- Flavor variety: With just a few seasonings, you can customize the taste to match any dish, whether you’re feeling herbaceous or garlicky.
- Waste reduction: This recipe uses up leftover bread, which means you’re not only cooking delicious croutons, but also minimizing food waste.
- Storage convenience: Store them in an airtight container, and they stay fresh for up to a week, making it easy to add crunch to your meals throughout the week.
Homemade Croutons Recipe Easy
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cool Time: 0
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 - 6 cups 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Various
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Easy homemade croutons made from bread, seasoned and baked for a crispy texture perfect for salads and soups.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of bread (about 12 ounces) (340 grams), cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup olive oil (60 milliliters)
- 21/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, homemade or store-bought
- 11/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/41/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/21/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 11/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional, for added heat)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). This will help the croutons become crispy. Cut the loaf of bread into even cubes of about 3/4-inch each for consistent baking.
- Toss in Some Oil: Place the bread cubes into a large bowl and drizzle the olive oil over them. Toss the cubes well, ensuring that each piece is lightly coated with the oil for a golden finish. Do not skimp on the oil, as that could lead to dry croutons.
- Season & Flavor Up: Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, fine sea salt, and black pepper over the oiled bread cubes. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the seasonings. Feel free to get creative with additional herbs or spices.
- Spread & Bake: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer. Ensure they have enough space between them to allow for even cooking and crispiness.
- Check & Stir: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. At the halfway point, stir the croutons to promote even cooking, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Cool & Crunch: Once the croutons are golden brown, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes. This cooling will give them a satisfying crunch as they firm up. Avoid leaving them in the oven too long after baking, or they could become too hard.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Store in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Expert Tips: If croutons start to brown too fast, reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees F (about 14 degrees C). For croutons that are too soft, return them to a hotter oven for a few minutes to crisp them up again.
- Check for consistent cooking by ensuring all bread cubes are cut to the same size. For added flavor, consider mixing in your favorite spices or cheese to the oil before tossing the bread.
- Reheating Instructions: If needed, reheat in the oven at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 5-10 minutes until crispy.
- Serving Suggestions: Top a Caesar salad with the croutons for added crunch, serve with tomato soup for a classic comfort dish, or use in stuffing or casserole recipes for texture.
- Recipe Variations: Swap Italian seasoning for taco seasoning for a unique twist. To enhance flavor, try adding cheese before mixing with the oil. Use different types of bread like sourdough or baguette for varied taste and texture.
- Ingredient Notes: For best results, use day-old bread to avoid excess moisture. Alternative options for olive oil include melted butter if preferred. Choose whole grain or gluten-free bread if desired to meet dietary needs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Ingredient Notes
- Loaf of bread: Grab your favorite type, baguette, sourdough, or even whole grain works well. Cut it into even cubes for baking consistency!
- Olive oil: This adds a nice richness to your croutons. A good quality extra virgin olive oil really brings out the flavor. You can swap it for melted butter if you like!
- Italian seasoning: This blend adds that herb kick we all love. If you’re out, try some dried oregano and basil together for a close match.
- Garlic powder: It brings a warm, savory note that pairs perfectly. Fresh garlic can work too; just mince it and use less than you’d think!
- Black pepper: A dash of black pepper adds a subtle heat. If you like it spicier, crushed red pepper could be a fun twist.
Recipe Tips
- If you notice your croutons browning too fast, reducing the oven temperature by 25 degrees can help them cook more evenly.
- For firmer croutons, extend the baking time by five-minute intervals until you reach your desired crunchiness.
- If croutons come out unevenly cooked, make sure to cut all bread cubes about three-quarters of an inch for consistent results.
- If your croutons end up too soft, a quick return to a hotter oven for a few minutes can help crisp them back up.
- For a flavor boost, consider adding your favorite spices or cheese to the oil before tossing the bread cubes.
Serving Suggestions
Top a Caesar salad with easy homemade croutons for added texture and crunch. Serve alongside tomato soup or incorporate into stuffing or casseroles.
You can incorporate these croutons into various dishes, such as a creamy chicken casserole or layered salads. They also work well in soups, adding substantial texture to each bite.
Add a drizzle of olive oil or sprinkle fresh herbs to enhance the flavor of the croutons. A touch of garlic powder can also elevate the overall enjoyment of your dish.
Recipe variations
- You can use taco seasoning instead of Italian seasoning for a fun, zesty kick in your croutons.
- Add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese to the mix for a savory flavor boost that pairs wonderfully with salads.
- Either opt for sourdough or a crispy baguette for your bread base; both options can provide a delightful texture.
- If you’re making lots of croutons, double the recipe to 2 loaves of bread and adjust the olive oil to 1/2 cup.
Save This Recipe!
How to Store?
To keep your easy homemade croutons fresh, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Keep them in a cool, dry spot.
Refrigeration: If you need to prolong freshness, place croutons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Freezing: Wrap croutons in aluminum foil and place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before use.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this Easy Homemade Croutons or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
