Homemade Croutons are a simple and delicious way to add crunch and flavor to your dishes. Made with just a few pantry staples, they’re a great way to use up leftover bread and transform it into a crispy, golden topping for soups, salads, or even snacking. Once you try these homemade croutons, you’ll never go back to store-bought ones!
This easy homemade crouton recipe takes just 20 minutes and requires minimal ingredients, yet the result is a flavorful, crispy treat: golden on the outside and light and airy on the inside. With endless seasoning options and versatility, these croutons will elevate any dish you pair them with. They disappear fast, so be sure to make a double batch!
If you like this recipe, try our gluten-free Rice Croutons next.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make. These homemade croutons come together in just 20 minutes with minimal ingredients, making them the perfect addition to any meal. Whether you’re looking to use up leftover bread or simply want a quick snack, these croutons are the perfect solution.
- Crispy and golden perfection. The baking process ensures that every piece is crispy on the outside, while the inside stays light and airy. The perfect crunch you’ll get from these croutons adds texture and depth to any dish they accompany.
- Endless customization. You can adjust the seasonings to fit your tastes, whether you prefer a classic garlic flavor, Italian herbs, or something more adventurous like smoked paprika. This recipe allows you to get creative and make the croutons as bold or subtle as you like.
- Great way to use up leftover bread. Instead of tossing out stale or leftover bread, you can repurpose it into a delicious, crunchy topping for soups, salads, or even snacking. It’s a simple, waste-reducing way to enjoy food that would otherwise be discarded.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
To make these easy homemade croutons, you will need the following ingredients (see recipe card below for quantities):
- bread – Use any type of bread you prefer, such as sourdough, baguette, ciabatta, whole wheat, or white bread. Stale or slightly dried bread works best for croutons.
- olive oil – Helps achieve a golden, crispy texture and enhances the flavor. You can substitute with melted butter or avocado oil for a different taste.
- garlic powder – Adds savory depth. Feel free to swap it out with nutritional yeast, onion powder, or freshly minced garlic.
- dried herbs – We use Italian seasoning to flavor the croutons, but feel free to use a mix of thyme, rosemary, or oregano. You can also use fresh herbs if available.
- salt and black pepper – Essential for seasoning the croutons and bringing out the flavors. Adjust to taste.
Equipment
You’ll also need measuring spoons, a large baking sheet, a large mixing bowl for tossing the bread, and a sharp knife for cutting the bread into cubes.
Instructions
- Season. In a large mixing bowl, add bread cubes and evenly drizzle with olive oil. Add Italian seasoning and garlic powder and toss well until evenly coated.
- Bake. Place the bread cubes in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake in a 375°F preheated oven until golden, about 15-20 minutes. Tossing halfway through baking to cook evenly on both sides.
- Cool. Let cool completely and season with salt and pepper. You can store the leftover croutons in a sealed container for up to a week.
Expert Tip: Avoid Overcrowding
For extra crispy croutons, make sure to spread the bread cubes in an even layer on the baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding to ensure they bake evenly on all sides.
More Tips and Tricks
- Use stale bread. Stale bread holds up better in the oven and absorbs the olive oil and seasonings better than fresh bread.
- Cut the bread evenly. Try to cut the bread into cubes that are roughly the same size for even baking.
- Season generously. Don’t skimp on the seasonings! Make sure the bread is well-coated in oil and spices to maximize flavor.
- Flip halfway through. To ensure that all sides of the croutons are crispy, flip them halfway through the baking time.
- Store properly. Let the croutons cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for about a week.
Recipe Variations
- Cheesy. Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or cheddar to the croutons before baking for a cheesy twist.
- Spicy. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika to the seasoning mix for a bit of heat.
- Herb. Use fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil for a fragrant, earthy flavor.
- Garlic butter. Melt butter with garlic powder and toss it with the bread cubes for a rich, garlic-flavored crouton.
Storage
How to Store
Store leftover croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They will stay crispy and fresh for several days. If you’re storing them for longer, keep them in the fridge.
How to Freeze
If you have extra croutons, freeze them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, just bake them from frozen for 10 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
How to Serve
Homemade croutons are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. They’re perfect for adding a crunchy texture to your favorite soups (we love it with tomato soup!) or as a topping for fresh salads to make them more filling. You can also sprinkle them on top of grain bowls or roasted vegetables for added flavor and crunch. For a quick snack, enjoy croutons on their own or dip them in hummus or guacamole. If you’re feeling adventurous, try using croutons as a topping for your favorite pasta dishes or on top of casseroles for a satisfying crunch.
These are my favorite dishes to top with homemade croutons:
FAQ
The basic ingredients for croutons are bread, oil or butter, and seasoning. The bread is cubed, then tossed with oil (like olive oil) or melted butter, and seasoned with salt, pepper, and optional herbs or spices. The bread is then baked until golden and crispy. You can customize the seasoning depending on the flavor profile you're going for, such as garlic powder, Italian herbs, or even cheese for a savory kick. Croutons can be flavored to fit any dish you pair them with.
Yes, you can use virtually any type of bread for croutons. Sourdough, baguette, ciabatta, whole wheat, white bread, or even gluten-free bread all make great croutons. It’s important to use slightly stale bread because it holds up better in the oven and absorbs the oil and seasonings more efficiently. Fresh bread may not achieve the same crispy texture and could become soggy. If you’re using fresh bread, you can toast it lightly in the oven before cutting it into cubes.
If your croutons aren’t turning crispy, it could be because they haven’t been baked long enough or the oven temperature is too low. Make sure to bake the croutons at 375°F (190°C) and flip them halfway through to ensure they cook evenly on all sides. Also, using too much butter or oil can make the croutons greasy, so be sure to use a light coating. If the bread cubes are too large, they may also need more time in the oven to crisp up fully.
If your bread is very hard, you can still make croutons by simply cutting it into cubes and following the usual recipe. However, if the bread is too tough to cut, you can soften it slightly by wrapping it in a damp towel and microwaving it for 20-30 seconds. This will make it easier to cut. Once cubed, follow the regular instructions for tossing the bread in oil or butter and seasoning, then bake it until it’s golden and crispy.
To make croutons in a frying pan, heat a small amount of oil or butter over medium heat. Once hot, add your cubed bread and toss to coat the pieces in the oil. Stir occasionally, allowing the bread cubes to toast evenly on all sides. Depending on the heat, it may take 5-10 minutes for the croutons to become golden and crispy. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning. Once they’re crispy, remove from the pan and season to taste. These stovetop croutons are great for a quick, no-bake option!
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Recipe
Homemade Croutons
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Homemade Croutons are a simple and delicious way to add crunch and flavor to your dishes. Made with just a few pantry staples, they’re a great way to use up leftover bread and transform it into a crispy, golden topping for soups, salads, or even snacking. Once you try these homemade croutons, you’ll never go back to store-bought ones!
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of bread, cut into ¾-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder or nutritional yeast
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, add bread cubes and evenly drizzle with olive oil. Add Italian seasoning and garlic powder and toss well until evenly coated.
- Place the bread cubes in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake until golden, about 15-20 minutes. Tossing halfway through baking to cook evenly on both sides.
- Let cool completely and season with salt and pepper. You can store the leftover croutons in a sealed container for up to a week.
Notes
How to store: Store leftover croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They will stay crispy and fresh for several days. If you’re storing them for longer, keep them in the fridge.
How to freeze: If you have extra croutons, freeze them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, just bake them from frozen for 10 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Topping
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
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