The best homemade croutons you’ve ever had!
I made these easy homemade croutons when company came over the other day to put over my Caesar salad with grilled chicken. They’re so good that they almost didn’t make it to the salad. Everyone snacked on them and said they were the best croutons they had ever eaten.
They taste so much better than storebought and are perfect over salads! You’ll be able to have flavorful croutons that are so easy to make at home with fresh and clean ingredients. Just make sure you hide enough for the salads while everyone is snacking!
Why are these the best croutons?
Crispy,
Chewy,
Buttery,
Garlicky,
Herby,
Crunchy,
Simple to make croutons!
What type of bread do I use?
Loaf bread -you can use any type you like and stale bread helps to make the croutons crispy. Cut it into 1-inch cubes for bite-size pieces.
Do I use olive oil and/or butter?
Olive oil -to balance out the butteriness, I use a good quality olive that’s delicious all by itself. There are so few ingredients that the combination is perfect.
Butter -and to make sure the croutons have a creamy, buttery hint, melt it so you can toss the bread cubes in it evenly.
What seasonings do I use for croutons?
Garlic powder-fresh garlic is too strong here. So, I use the powder to avoid that and distribute the garlic flavor more evenly.
Salt and ground black pepper -the simple seasoning combo that combines all the flavors.
Dried oregano -as you know, I love oregano. It adds a herby flavor that pairs so well with my salads. However, substitute your favorite or any combination of herbs.
Can I use fresh garlic?
Sure! Because it’s not going to be evenly distributed onto the bread cubes, mince or grate it as finely as possible and add it to the butter and oil mixture in a bowl. Let it sit as long as possible to infuse the oil and butter for maximum garlic flavor.
How do I make easy homemade croutons?
Preheat the oven to 350 °F, 180 °C. Place the bread cubes into a large bowl and add all of the ingredients. Toss together until the bread is coated. Transfer to a baking tray.
Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for about 25 minutes until golden. Then, flip the bread over halfway through baking. Cool to room temperature and serve.
What if I make a big batch?
When making larger batches for multiple dinners or a big crowd, bake them in separate baking trays to avoid overcrowding the pan. The croutons will not crisp or bake evenly if crammed in one baking pan.
How long will fresh croutons last?
The croutons will keep fresh for up to 1 week in an airtight container.
What can I add these to?
If I had some tzatziki, there may not be enough for anything else. However, they were outstanding on my chicken Caesar salad with homemade dressing and would be a great addition to any other lettuce salad. I can’t wait to add these to my soups! Try them in my Cozy & Creamy Chicken White Bean Soup, Hearty Vegetable Soup, and Roasted Tomato & Red Pepper Soup.
Watch the Video:
Easy Homemade Croutons
Flavorful croutons are so easy to make at home with fresh and clean ingredients. They taste so much better than storebought and are perfect over salads!
Ingredients
- 1 (1lb) loaf of bread cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2-4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1-2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F, 180 °C.
- Place the bread cubes into a large bowl and add all of the ingredients. Toss together until the bread is coated.
- Transfer to a baking tray.
- Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven about 25 minutes until golden. Flip te bread over halfway though baking.
- Cool to room temperature and serve.
Notes
The croutons will keep fresh up to 1 week in an airtight container.
When making larger batches, bake them in separate baking trays as to not overcrowd the pan. The croutons will not crisp up or bake evenly if they're crammed in one baking pan.
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Olive Oil- Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil (500ml/15.9 oz)
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