Homemade Croutons
Homemade croutons are a simple and delicious way to add crunch to your salads and soups. They are easy to make and customizable, utilizing leftover bread effectively.
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.
Notes
Store leftover croutons lightly covered at room temperature for up to 1 day, or tightly covered for up to 10 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months; re-crisp in the oven before serving.