Homemade Buttery Croutons
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Easy Homemade Sourdough Croutons are the perfect blend of crispiness and chew, with a subtle kick that elevates any soup or salad they accompany. You won’t believe how effortlessly these croutons come together—or how much better they taste than anything you’ll find on store shelves. Once you try them, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought croutons again!
Homemade is so much better!
I absolutely love making Caesar salad—it’s quick, easy, and requires just a handful of ingredients. But one evening, with a big group coming over for dinner, I realized at the last minute that I had forgotten to pick up croutons. Instead of running to the store, I decided to make my own. I grabbed some bread from the pantry, tossed in a few spices, and the results were a game-changer. I’ve been making homemade croutons on repeat for years since that night!
Homemade croutons are not only incredibly delicious, but they’re also a fantastic way to use up any leftover bread. Once you try them, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for store-bought!
You’ll love to toss the croutons in a simple salad with these two dressing. Homemade Honey Mustard dressing and my Lemon Vinaigrette! I’ll even add them to my Classic Wedge Salad sometimes.
What kind of bread should you use?
The best bread for croutons includes sourdough and French baguette, both of which offer a satisfying crunch and robust flavor. Sourdough adds a tangy richness, while French baguette provides a dense, chewy texture perfect for creating crispy, flavorful croutons.
You could also use ciabatta, multigrain or challah. Really, any bread you have on hand will work. I prefer to use bread that is not sliced so I can make large cubes.
Ingredients for oven-baked croutons
- Bread cut into cubes – I love sourdough croutons!
- Olive Oil – Use a high quality olive oil.
- Butter – Salted or unsalted butter is fine.
- Spices – Italian Seasoning, Cayenne Pepper, Salt, Black Pepper and Garlic Powder.
Would you prefer to cook them in the air fryer? Try this air fryer crouton recipe. The flavor is the same and they come out perfect in just 6 minutes.
How to Make Easy Homemade Croutons
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using a sharp, serrated knife, slice the bread into 1-inch thick slices. Then, cut each slice into 1-inch wide strips. Finally, turn the strips and cut them again into 1-inch cubes. You should have about 6 cups of bread cubes.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, melted butter, Italian seasoning, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper (if using). Whisk together until the mixture is well combined.
Step 3: Add the cubed bread to the bowl with the seasoning mixture. Gently toss the bread cubes until they are evenly coated with the mixture. Make sure each piece is well-covered for maximum flavor.
Step 4: Once the bread cubes are coated, spread them out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. This ensures they bake evenly and get nice and crispy.
Step 5: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy. Stir the croutons halfway through baking to ensure even cooking.
Step 6: Once baked, remove the croutons from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Kitchen tools for making simple crouton recipe
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Buy Now → How to store homemade croutons
The best way to store homemade croutons is to keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. This will help maintain their crispness for up to a week. If you want to store them for a longer period, here’s how you can freeze them:
- Cool Completely: Make sure the croutons are completely cool before storing them. This prevents moisture from getting trapped, which can make them soggy.
- Airtight Container: Place the croutons in an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag. If using a freezer bag, squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing.
- Freeze: Store the croutons in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheat Before Using: To use frozen croutons, take them out of the freezer and let them come to room temperature. For extra crispness, you can reheat them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-10 minutes before serving.
What to serve with sourdough croutons
Don’t forget to add these little bread bites to your favorite soups.
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Easy Homemade Croutons
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 cups Bread About 1 Loaf
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- pinch Cayenne Pepper Optional
Instructions
- Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Cut the Bread: Start by taking a loaf of your favorite bread (French, sourdough, or even a sturdy sandwich bread works well). Using a sharp, serrated knife, slice the bread into 1-inch thick slices. Then, cut each slice into 1-inch wide strips. Finally, turn the strips and cut them again into 1-inch cubes. You should have about 6 cups of bread cubes.6 cups Bread
- Prepare the Seasoning Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, melted butter, Italian seasoning, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Whisk together until the mixture is well combined.1/4 cup Olive Oil, 1/4 cup Butter, 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, 1 teaspoon Black Pepper, 1/2 teaspoon Salt, 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder, pinch Cayenne Pepper
- Coat the Bread Cubes: Add the cubed bread to the bowl with the seasoning mixture. Gently toss the bread cubes until they are evenly coated with the mixture. Make sure each piece is well-covered for maximum flavor.
- Spread on Baking Sheet: Once the bread cubes are coated, spread them out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. This ensures they bake evenly and get nice and crispy.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy. Stir the croutons halfway through baking to ensure even cooking.
- Cool and Store: Once baked, remove the croutons from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
