How to Make Homemade Croutons
Making homemade croutons is so easy, and the little crispy, chewy bites of flavorful toasted bread complement almost any salad and are excellent on soups, too! Crush them to turn them into breadcrumbs. They are versatile, so customizable, and ready in under 15 minutes!
Servings: 20 servings
Ingredients
- 5 heaping cups bread cubes, cut into 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch cubes
- 4 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Place bread cubes on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil; toss until bread is evenly coated, drizzling more olive oil if needed.
- Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder evenly across the bread, then toss until completely coated.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and toasty; tossing halfway in between the cooking time. Keep in mind the bread's freshness may impact cook time until golden brown (the more fresh, the longer it may need). Taste test and toss with additional salt if needed.
Alternative Cooking Methods
- Stovetop: Toss bread cubes in oil and seasonings as directed above. Heat a large skillet (I like to use cast iron) over medium-high heat. Spread the prepared bread cubes in an even layer and cook for 10-12 minutes, tossing occasionally so that all sides become golden brown.,
- Air Fryer: Toss bread cubes in oil and seasonings as directed above. Set the air fryer temperature to 375°F and spread the prepared bread cubes in an even layer on top of the crisper rack. Air fry for 4-7 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden brown. The cook time will vary depending on the size of the bread cubes.
Notes
- Bread: use a hearty loaf of bread such as sourdough for the tastiest croutons!
- Adjust the Amount: you can use any amount of bread to make croutons, just drizzle olive oil until they are coated and proceed with the recipe.
- Additional spices: toss with dried herbs (before baking), parmesan (after baking), red pepper flakes, and more!
- Storage: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Serving Size: approximately 1/4 cup.
Nutrition
Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 60mg | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg
Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided for this recipe is only an estimate. The accuracy of the facts listed is not and cannot be guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!