Crunchy croutons are essential for any salad and are a great addition for soups, stews and so many other things. Imagine being able to customize the flavors of any crouton to the meal it is going with in 10 minutes of prep time or less! You are the master of all the flavors of your croutons forevermore!
Why You will Love Making Croutons
Fast and Simple – Croutons take 10 minutes of prep and they cook while you get the rest of the salad or soup ingredients together.
Delicious and Versatile – Adding croutons to salads and soups is delicious and you can create croutons that match the flavors too. Our favorite crouton flavors are garlic, taco seasoning, and everything bagel.
Flavor Blast in Every Bite – I love making croutons for salads and soups, because they add a crunch and flavor that elevates the food to a new level. When you get a crouton it is packed with the spices you decided to add.
Uses up Stale Bread – Any recipe where I can use stale bread is a win! I love that I can use almost any bread to make croutons.
Ingredients and Substitutions for Croutons
Bread – You can use almost any bread for this recipe: stale bread, savory bread, fresh bread, frozen bread, etc. I would avoid sweet breads because the sweetness may not work with the savory spices we are adding.
Oil – I usually use olive oil, but any liquid oil will work. If you want to use a solid oil, try melting it first before adding it to the bread.
Garlic Powder – You can add more, less, or omit the garlic as your family likes.
Italian Herb Spice Blend – I make my own Italian herb blend following this recipe from Mary’s Nest. You can add more, less, or omit the Italian herb seasoning as your family likes.
Salt – Use a fine ground sea salt for this recipe so that is sticks to the croutons well. You can add more, less, or omit the salt as your family likes.
Pepper – I like to use black pepper, but feel free to try any other color. You can add more, less, or omit the pepper as your family likes.
How to Make Croutons
Preheat your oven to 375℉ (190℃).
Pour your cubed bread and all the seasonings into a bowl. Mix well.
Add the oil and mix again to coat the bread.
Pour onto a baking sheet and bake at 375℉ (190℃) for 30 minutes. At 15 minutes stir the bread to make sure they are browning evenly.
It really is that easy! You have made some delicious croutons that your family will snack on throughout the day.
Tips for Making Croutons
If you like crispy croutons, then cut your bread cubes about half an inch (one cm) or smaller.
If you like a crispy exterior and a soft interior, then cube your bread in half an inch (one cm) or larger.
Don’t overcrowd your pan. You want a pan that has space between all the croutons so that they can dry. If you over crowd them, they will take much longer to become crispy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I Fix Soft Croutons?
Yes, put them back into the oven at 375 for 15 minutes and check to see if they are crispy enough.
You can also leave them out at room temperature without a lid so that they dry out naturally throughout the day.
Can I Leave out the Garlic?
Yes, you can leave out the garlic if you don’t like garlic.
Can I Leave out the Salt?
Yes, feel free to leave out the salt if you are avoiding salt.
Can I add Other Spices?
Yes! Customize the croutons to any dish you are making.
Can I Turn these Croutons into Breadcrumbs?
Yes, blend the croutons up and they become wonderful breadcrumbs.
How to Store Leftovers
Croutons store in an air tight container for about 3-5 days. If you want to reheat them, heat the oven 375°F (190°C) and bake for 10-15 minutes.
Simple Garlic Croutons
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Large Pan 9×13 or Bigger
- 1 Spoon
- 1 Set of Measuring Spoons
- 1 Measuring Cup for 1 Cup
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Bread Cubed
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- 2 teaspoons Italian Herb Blend optional
- 1-2 Tablespoons Oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375℉ (190℃).
- Pour your cubed bread and all the seasonings into a bowl. Mix well.
- Add the oil and mix again to coat the bread.
- Pour onto a baking sheet and bake at 375℉ (190℃) for 30 minutes. At 15 minutes stir the croutons to make sure they are browning evenly.
- Enjoy right out of the oven or cool and store.
Notes
What is Your Favorite Crouton Flavor Combination?
Let us know in the comments down below what your favorite flavor combination for croutons is!
Other Articles You May Enjoy
How to Make Soup for Beginners
Strata is a Simple, Savory, Make Ahead Breakfast
Fresh Milled Flour Basics You Need to Know
Pin For Later
Love how simple and quick this crouton recipe is! It’s a great way to use up leftover bread and adds such a nice crunch to salads. Would love to see more seasoning variations!
I love how simple it is too!
I can work on more seasoning variations soon. Our favorites are to add taco seasoning and garlic powder. Another is everything bagel seasoning alone. It really is to taste, so feel free to experiment while you wait!
Thank you for commenting!