Homemade Croutons Recipe
Golden, crispy croutons can take even the most scrumptious salad or creamy soup to the next level. The best part is you can make them super fast with bread you already have with this homemade croutons recipe.
I know you might be thinking, “Aren’t store-bought croutons good enough?” Well, let me tell you, once I started making my own croutons, there was no turning back. This homemade croutons recipe requires very little prep time and just minutes to bake.
The results far outweigh the tiny effort because they improve almost every dish. They are perfect for the usual suspects like Caesar salad or chef salad and beyond. You can sprinkle them on a cozy bowl of tomato soup or add some crunch to a creamy grilled cheese sandwich.
Homemade croutons bring a crispy texture to mac and cheese, too. Other soups I enjoy them with include gazpacho, onion soup, and cream of broccoli. The possibilities are endless!
Best bread for making croutons at home
While my recipe for homemade croutons calls for French bread, you can try just about any type of bread depending on the texture and flavor you’re going for. I like how French baguettes are easy to cube and produce a delicate crouton.
Italian ciabatta is another good choice, especially for Caesar salads or Mediterranean dishes. It creates croutons with a distinctly airy and crispy texture. Rye bread croutons are also great on salads and salty soups like potato and ham.
Another popular choice is sourdough bread, which makes especially tasty croutons. Tangy sourdough croutons have a nice contrast with sweeter tomato soups and green salads studded with fresh or dried fruit. You can even make croutons with the denser varieties of sandwich bread.
With any of these varieties, it really doesn’t matter if you use fresh or stale, leftover bread. However, stale bread is easier to cut into cubes. If your loaf is fresh, you can leave it out overnight at room temperature to allow it to dry some.
Ingredients needed to make homemade croutons
To make these crunchy, delicious croutons, you will need the following ingredients:
- French loaf bread: As I noted earlier, I prefer a baguette for croutons because of the neutral flavor and airy texture that allows added seasonings to absorb so well.
- Butter: While my family prefers croutons with a rich, buttery flavor, some folks prefer to drizzle the bread cubes with oil, instead. You might try both ways to see which you prefer!
- Salt: These croutons have just a touch of salt for flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic infuses a rich, savory flavor and comforting aroma.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated parm brings nutty notes and enhances the croutons’ crunchy texture.
Kitchen equipment needed:
- Large bowl
- Bread knife
- Small microwave-safe dish or saucepan
- Mixing spoon
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Frequently asked questions about homemade croutons
Below are a handful of the most popular questions about making your own croutons. If you have other questions I haven’t answered here, please ask in the comments!
How do you keep homemade croutons crunchy?
First, be sure you bake them long enough to where they are golden brown and crisp on the outside. Then let them cool and dry completely on a wire rack. Move the croutons to an airtight container, and store them at room temperature. If they still lose their crunch, you can revive them by baking them again in a single layer a few minutes before serving.
How long do homemade croutons keep?
Homemade croutons will last about 2-3 weeks when stored properly, as noted above. However, they’re usually best (freshest and crunchiest) when consumed within 1-2 weeks.
What are some other herbs to use on croutons?
Use your imagination and favorite herb and spice combinations to season your bread cubes any way you like! A few I’ve tried include rosemary, oregano, dried parsley, thyme, black pepper and even ranch and Italian seasoning packets.
More Grandma-Approved Recipes To Try
- Sweet and Savory Pumpkin Chili
- Creamy Cheesy Potato Soup
- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
- Crispy Cheese Wafers
- The Best Broccoli Salad Recipe
How to make homemade croutons
Below is my step-by-step guide for making your own croutons.
Easy Homemade Croutons
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Bread knife
- Small microwave-safe dish or saucepan
- Mixing spoonÂ
- Large baking sheet
- parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1/2 French loaf bread cubed into 3/4-inch pieces (~4 cups)
- 1/4 cup butter melted (1/2 a stick)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cube a loaf of bread of your choice into small crouton-sized pieces until you have 4 cups.
- Combine melted butter, salt and garlic powder in a large mixing bowl and add the bread pieces. Toss to cover.
- Place the croutons in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.
