Homemade Croutons

Crispy golden homemade croutons are seriously easy to make in only 30 minutes using your favorite loaf of fresh or stale bread.

Why this recipe works

Homemade croutons are good for more than just salads. I love using them when I make crockpot stuffing during the holidays or for garnish on top of creamy tomato soup. You can even crush them and use them as breadcrumbs for just about any recipe. The options are endless.

They’re crazy quick to make yourself and are great for using up that loaf of stale bread on the counter. Plus, they come together easily with a handful of herbs and seasonings. Crispy, crunchy, golden cubes of perfection using ingredients you most likely already have on hand. Why spend money on store-bought croutons when they are this easy to make?

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

BREAD – You can use most types of bread to make croutons. I used a French loaf, but in the past I’ve used Italian bread, baguettes, and even sandwich bread!

SEASONING – You will lose some of the seasoning during mixing and baking. If you want your croutons a little saltier, sprinkle a little more garlic salt on right before the croutons go in the oven. Feel free to season your croutons to your liking using your favorite combination of herbs, spices, and seasonings.

How to Make Homemade Croutons

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Preheat oven to 375 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut bread into cubes and place in a large mixing bowl.
3. In a small bowl combine garlic powder, pepper, garlic salt, thyme, and parsley.
4. Drizzle olive oil over the bread cubes and mix together with gloved hands. Gently squeeze and rub the cubes to spread the oil out the best you can. Be careful not to break the cubes up.
5. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the cubes and mix with your hands again.
6. Spread seasoned bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. You will likely have to work in batches.
7. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, turning at the halfway point. Watch them carefully so they don’t burn.
   
   EXPERT TIP – For golden brown croutons bake for 12-15 minutes. If you like yours a little more well done bake for up to 20 minutes.
   
   
8. Remove to a wire rack and let cool.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Truthfully, you can make croutons out of just about any kind of bread you have on hand. However, there are some that hold up during the cooking process better than others. Heartier breads like French bread, Italian bread, sourdough, brioche, and ciabatta have given us great results but you can just as easily make croutons out of regular sandwich bread as well, just know they may turn up quite a bit smaller than thicker breads. Each different type of bread will have its own texture and thickness, so play around and see what you like best.

It’s not necessary to use stale bread, but it does make things a little easier. Stale bread is of course easier to slice into cubes and it also crisps up quicker in the oven. However, you can use a fresh loaf as well! We have tested it both ways.

Store the fully cooled croutons in an air-tight container or sealed ziptop bag with the air removed. Keep at room temperature for 1-2 weeks in a cool, dark place such as the pantry or cabinet.

Serving Suggestions

Aside from the obvious salad topper, homemade croutons are great for laying over casseroles, crushing into breadcrumbs, or as a fresh replacement to store-bought bread cubes when making stuffing/dressing.

More Bread Recipes

• Dutch Oven Bread
• Homemade Italian Bread
• Homemade Multigrain Bread
• 1963 Homemade White Bread

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