Be they ever so humble, there is nothing like a freshly baked batch of homemade croutons. Perfectly seasoned and crispy on the outside, yet still slightly spongy on the inside, these tasty little morsels are just the recipe for easy comfort food fast. And there is a simple trick to making sure that each and every crouton is just as flavorful as the last...combining your herbs and spices with the olive oil before drizzling it over the bread cubes helps to evenly and thoroughly distribute all that scrumptious seasoning.
Homemade croutons are wonderful for sprinkling over favorites like creamy carrot soup, leek and potato soup, or curried pumpkin soup.
Ingredients for Homemade Croutons
- crusty bread (leftover stale bread works great here)
- extra virgin olive oil
- garlic powder
- kosher salt
- fresh ground black pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Heat the oven to 400℉. Cut the bread into cubes about an inch in size (or simply tear it into rough pieces).
Add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the olive oil.
Whisk the seasonings into the olive oil until the mixture is very well combined.
Place the bread in a large bowl, evenly drizzle the seasoned olive oil over the top, and toss well to coat.
Spread the bread cubes onto a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden and crisp on the outside.
Sprinkle homemade croutons generously over your favorite soups and salads.
Hint: One of the many advantages of homemade croutons is that you can make them as large (or as small) as your little heart desires. (For instance, pixie sized croutons are quite lovely for a dainty cup of soup.) Just be mindful to adjust the baking time when sizing your bread cubes up or down. The smaller the croutons, the faster they will crisp up in the oven.
Variations
Homemade croutons can be made from practically any type of bread, and the possibilities also abound in terms of herbs and spices you might choose to add. If you know precisely how you will be using the croutons, it can be helpful to tailor your bread and flavoring selections accordingly. Here are a few ideas to help spark your imagination when it comes to crouton construction...
- The Bread - Sourdough is my hands down favorite variety for homemade croutons. But a few other terrific options include wheat, rye, potato, brioche, challah, and just about any sort of rustic French or Italian bread.
- The Herbs and Spices - Try adding your favorite herb (either fresh or dried), or combination of herbs, when seasoning the olive oil. Thyme, rosemary, sage, marjoram, basil, and oregano will all work well here. And if garlic isn't your thing, a few alternatives for a punch of flavor might include onion powder, paprika, a touch of cayenne, or your favorite spice blend.
Storage
Store your homemade croutons in an airtight container. They will keep at room temperature for up to a week or in the freezer for at least a month.
Top tip
Ultimately, the precise baking time for homemade croutons will vary depending on all kinds of variables, such as the density, freshness (or staleness), and relative size of your bread cubes. But no need to fret! As they crisp in the oven, simply taste one or two along the way in order to gauge for doneness. And here's the real secret to making perfect homemade croutons...they're ready whenever they taste just right to you.
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
📖 Recipe
Homemade Croutons
Equipment
- large baking sheet
Ingredients
- about 12 ounces crusty bread (roughly 6 to 8 cups when cubed) leftover stale bread works great here
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400℉.
- Cut the bread into cubes about an inch in size (or simply tear it into rough pieces).
- Add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the olive oil. Whisk until very well combined.
- Place the bread in a large bowl, evenly drizzle the seasoned olive oil over the top, and toss really well to coat.
- Spread the bread cubes onto a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden and crisp on the outside.
- Sprinkle homemade croutons generously over your favorite soups and salads.
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