Homemade croutons are a simple and delicious way to add crunch to your salads and soups. Making them at home is easy and lets you choose your favorite flavors. Plus, they are a great way to use up stale bread. Let’s dive into the world of croutons!
Why Make This Recipe
Why settle for store-bought croutons when making your own is so easy? Homemade croutons taste fresher, have a better texture, and you can customize the flavors to your liking. You can also use leftover bread, which helps reduce waste. It’s a win-win!
How to Make Homemade Croutons
Making homemade croutons is a quick process. Here’s how to do it:
Ingredients:
- 12-ounce (340g) loaf of crusty bread
- 1/3 cup (80ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons (43g) unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (191°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Tear or slice the bread into small bite-sized pieces. You should have around 6 to 8 cups of bread cubes.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the olive oil, butter, Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until the butter melts and everything blends together, about 3-5 minutes.
- Pour the mixture over the bread cubes. If you like, add the optional parmesan cheese, and stir until all the bread pieces are coated.
- Spread the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and stir. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 8 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let the baking sheet sit on a cooling rack. Let the croutons cool for 30 minutes; they will continue to crisp up as they cool.
- Store leftover croutons lightly covered at room temperature for up to 1 day. After that, store them tightly covered for up to 10 days.
How to Serve Homemade Croutons
You can use homemade croutons in many ways. They are perfect for topping salads, soups, or even pastas. Just sprinkle them on right before serving to keep that crunchy texture.
How to Store Homemade Croutons
Store any leftover croutons lightly covered at room temperature for up to 1 day. If you want to keep them longer, place them in an airtight container and store them in a cool, dry place for up to 10 days.
Tips to Make Homemade Croutons
- Use any type of bread you like, such as sourdough, French, or whole wheat.
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings to match your taste. You can add more garlic powder or even some chili flakes for a spicy kick!
- For even more flavor, try adding herbs like thyme or rosemary.
Variation
You can change up the cheese. Instead of parmesan, try using cheddar or feta for different flavors. You can also switch the seasonings to match your favorite dishes!
FAQs
1. Can I use stale bread to make croutons?
Yes! Stale bread works perfectly for croutons and helps reduce food waste.
2. How long do homemade croutons last?
Homemade croutons can last up to 10 days when stored in an airtight container.
3. Can I freeze homemade croutons?
Yes, you can freeze homemade croutons. Just place them in a sealed bag, and they will be good for up to 3 months. Be sure to re-crisp them in the oven before serving!
Now you have everything you need to make delicious homemade croutons! Enjoy the simple pleasure they bring to your meals.
Homemade Croutons
Ingredients
Bread and Seasonings
- 12 ounce 12-ounce loaf of crusty bread Use any type of crusty bread such as sourdough or French.
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder Can be adjusted for more flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese Optional, can be replaced with cheddar or feta.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (191°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Tear or slice the bread into small bite-sized pieces to make about 6 to 8 cups of bread cubes.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the olive oil, butter, Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until the butter melts and everything blends together, about 3-5 minutes.
- Pour the mixture over the bread cubes, add parmesan cheese if using, and stir until all the bread pieces are coated.
- Spread the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Baking
- Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and stir.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 8 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let the baking sheet sit on a cooling rack for 30 minutes to allow the croutons to crisp up.
