Description
Easy homemade croutons made from bread, seasoned and baked for a crispy texture perfect for salads and soups.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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