Make deliciously crispy, golden brown croutons with this easy method. Customize the seasonings for croutons packed with flavor and you’ll want to eat these straight off the pan!
When I was a kid, I used to pick off the croutons of my salad and save them for last. Honestly, I still do this, because croutons are the best part!
Sadly, I went for several years without eating croutons on my salads, partly because they’re just a bonus topping, but also because they’re not that healthy. Store-bought croutons have all sorts of unnecessary ingredients.
I missed that delicious crunch though, so I figured out how to make croutons at home that are super easy, better than storebought, and absolutely fantastic!
BEST HOMEMADE CROUTONS RECIPE
I love homemade croutons for a few major reasons:
- They’re crunchy – a must in my book!
- You can use any kind of bread – fresh or old. Sourdough bread too!
- They’re allergy-friendly – just use allergy-friendly bread! Gluten-free, dairy-free, whatever kind suits your needs.
- They’re seasoned with my Homemade Italian Seasoning blend – YUM!
While I sometimes use fresh bread to make croutons homemade, I usually use slightly stale bread that’s a couple of days old OR bread that came out of the oven a little less fluffy than we like.
Re-using bread to make Homemade Breadcrumbs or these homemade croutons is a great way to prevent food waste, and in turn, save money!
Avoiding food waste is one of the tips I teach in my course Grocery Budget Bootcamp. Enrollment is currently closed, but if you need a bit more help saving on groceries, sign up here for the FREE Fight Inflation Workshop. I can’t wait to share three AMAZING sessions focused on saving money on groceries NOW – despite the rising cost of food!
SIMPLE CROUTON RECIPE INGREDIENTS
You only need 3 ingredients to make this simple crouton recipe!
- Bread. Whatever loaf of bread you have on hand. Perfect for older bread that isn’t quite as fresh for sandwiches.
- Olive oil. You can also use melted butter.
- Seasonings: Homemade Italian Seasoning (or another desired spice blend such as garlic powder, parsley, thyme, oregano, and other dried herbs), plus salt + freshly ground black pepper to round out the flavor.
If you want spicy croutons, try Homemade Blackened Seasoning! You could also use Homemade Poultry Seasoning or Homemade Greek Seasoning for different flavors. You could even add in a bit of Parmesan for cheesy croutons!
HOW TO MAKE CROUTONS
Showing you how to make croutons is just as short as the ingredient list!
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 375F.
Step 2. Cut the bread into ½” to ¾” pieces and place in a large bowl.
Step 3. Drizzle the bread with olive oil and sprinkle the seasonings on top. Toss well until all of the bread cubes are coated.
Step 4. Arrange the bread on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Use parchment paper for quick cleanup! Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown and crispy, tossing halfway through.
Step 5. Remove the croutons from the oven and let them cool completely before using them on your favorite soups or salads.
Store homemade croutons in an airtight container on the counter for a few days. You can also keep them in the fridge for up to a week, or you can put them in a freezer bag and freeze for several weeks.
TO SERVE HOMEMADE CROUTONS
The best salads have a variety of flavors and textures, and homemade croutons add savory richness and crunch! Top one of these yummy salads:
Crutons are actually also really good on top of soups. That robust crunch complements the creamy texture of a pureed soup really well.
HOMEMADE CRUTONS FAQS
How do you make croutons from scratch?
This crouton recipe gives you the basics, but if you TRULY want from-scratch croutons, you need homemade bread too.
Whip up a loaf of No-Knead Overnight Artisan Bread or Man Bread and use half for croutons. Or just go ahead and make a double batch of croutons – they’re so good!
Can you make homemade croutons on the stovetop?
Yes! You’re still toasting the seasoned bread, but instead of tossing the oil with the bread, heat it in a cast-iron skillet (I have this 12” cast iron skillet) and add the seasoned bread. Cook, stirring often, until you have golden, toasty croutons!
Pioneer Woman croutons use this method but with butter instead of oil.
What are the best tasting croutons?
The best tasting croutons need two things: a good blend of spices, and a good crunch. This crouton recipe has both!
EASY FLAVORFUL BREAD RECIPES:
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Croutons
Make deliciously crispy, golden brown croutons with this easy method. Customize the seasonings for croutons packed with flavor and you’ll want to eat these straight off the pan!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Breads
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Cut the bread into ½” to ¾” cubes and place in a large bowl.
- Drizzle the bread with olive oil and sprinkle the seasoning blend, salt, and pepper on top. Toss well until all of the bread cubes are coated.
- Arrange the bread onto a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown, tossing halfway through.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool completely before using on your favorite soups or salads!
Notes
- Store homemade croutons in an airtight container on the counter for a few days. You can also keep them in the fridge for up to a week, or you can put them in a freezer bag and freeze them for several weeks.
