To make homemade croutons, follow these steps:
Ingredients
- Bread (about 1 loaf or 6-8 cups of cubes; crusty bread like French, Italian, sourdough, or ciabatta is best)
- Olive oil (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup)
- Optional: melted butter (1-2 tablespoons)
- Seasonings: garlic powder, Italian seasoning (or herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary), salt, black pepper
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190-191°C) or 400°F depending on recipe preference.
- Prepare the bread: Cut or tear the bread into roughly 3/4-inch cubes. Aim for uniform size to ensure even cooking.
- Season the bread: In a large bowl, drizzle olive oil (and melted butter if using) over the bread cubes. Sprinkle with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional Parmesan cheese. Toss gently until all cubes are evenly coated.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a parchment-lined or silicone mat–lined baking sheet, making sure they are not touching to allow crisping.
- Bake: Bake for about 10-20 minutes, tossing or stirring halfway through to brown all sides evenly. Baking time varies with oven and bread thickness; watch closely to avoid burning. At 375°F, 15-20 minutes is typical; at 400°F, 10-12 minutes is common.
- Cool: Remove from oven and let croutons cool completely on the baking sheet; they will crisp up further as they cool.
- Store: Use immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
These croutons are crunchy on the outside and slightly chewy inside, perfect for salads, soups, or snacks
Tips
- Use sturdy, crusty bread for best texture.
- Toss croutons every 5-10 minutes during baking for even browning.
- Adjust seasonings to your taste.
- You can skip butter and use only olive oil if preferred.
- Croutons are best fresh but can be stored in a sealed container for several days
This method is simple, customizable, and yields much better croutons than store-bought versions
