Homemade Croutons
Turn day-old bread into Homemade Croutons. They’re crunchy, perfectly seasoned, and great for topping salads or soups or for enjoying as a snack.
Once you learn how to make croutons, you’ll never go back to store-bought again. They are buttery, crisp, and full of simple pantry seasonings.
This crouton recipe pairs well with my easy broccoli cheddar soup recipe and my best ever strawberry spinach salad.
Jump to:
💗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple and Quick: Ready in about 15 minutes from start to finish.
- Budget Friendly: Uses leftover bread and basic pantry staples.
- Customizable: Use any bread or seasonings you like and have on hand.
- Delicious: This homemade crouton recipe tastes better than store-bought. They are great with soups for dinner.
🛒 Ingredients Needed for Oven Croutons
- French Bread: Day old or slightly stale bread works best. Any bread will basically work for this recipe. I’ve used hot dog buns, hoggie rolls, French bread, Italian bread, sourdough bread, or whatever I have on hand.
- Olive Oil: Helps to toast the bread and add flavor. Vegetable oil will also work.
- Seasonings: I use garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt, and pepper most of the time. Seasoned croutons are easily customizable to any recipe.
📖 Recipe Variations
- Change up the Seasonings: Open up your spice cabinet and choose the seasonings you like. Add some rosemary or even lemon pepper if desired.
- Make them Spicy: Add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a kick of heat.
- Use Butter: Use melted butter instead of olive oil.
🔪 How to Make Croutons
Step 1: Cube the bread into bite-sized pieces and place it in a large bowl.
Step 2: Drizzle olive oil over the bread cubes.
Add seasonings and toss to coat.
Step 3: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then spread the bread cubes in a single layer on it.
Step 4: Bake for about 10 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Cool completely before storing.
💭 Pro Tips
- Use day old bread. It seems to toast crisper.
- Any bread will basically work for this recipe. I’ve used hot dog buns, hoggie rolls, French bread, Italian bread, sourdough bread, or whatever I have on hand.
- Watch the oven closely. Every oven bakes differently.
- Season well with your favorite seasonings.
❔ Recipe FAQs
On the Counter: Cool completely, and then store in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to a week.
Freezer: Store in a zip-top bag in the freezer for up to 3 months and then reheat in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
Yes. You can smash the croutons or process them into fine crumbs for other recipes.
Yes, skip the savory seasonings and toss with a little cinnamon and sugar.
Easy Homemade Bread Recipes
If you tried this Homemade Croutons recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please consider leaving a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
👩🏻🍳 Recipe
Homemade Croutons
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French Bread cut into cubes
- 3-4 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon each Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Parsley or seasonings of choice
- ½ teaspoon each Salt, Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Cube the bread into bite-sized pieces and place it into a large bowl.
- Drizzle olive oil over the bread cubes.
- Add seasonings and toss to coat.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then spread the bread cubes in a single layer on it.
- Bake for about 10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Cool completely before storing.
Notes
- Use day old bread. It seems to toast crisper.
- Any bread will basically work for this recipe. I’ve used hot dog buns, hoggie rolls, French bread, Italian bread, sourdough bread, or whatever I have on hand.
- Watch the oven closely. Every oven bakes differently.
- Season well with your favorite seasonings.
These croutons are so simple and perfect for soup and salads! I keep a bag made all winter long for soup nights.