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Homemade Croutons Recipe

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3.9 from 81 reviews

Learn how to make delicious homemade croutons with this easy recipe featuring crusty bread, olive oil, butter, and aromatic seasonings, perfect for adding crunch and flavor to your salads and soups.

Ingredients

Scale

Croutons

  • 12-ounce (340g) loaf of crusty bread
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 Tablespoons (43g) unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • optional: 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (191°C). Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Prepare the bread: Tear or slice the crusty bread into small bite-sized pieces, aiming for about 6 to 8 cups of bread cubes. Place these cubes in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Make the seasoning mixture: In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, unsalted butter, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook until the butter has melted and all ingredients are well combined, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  4. Coat the bread cubes: Pour the warm seasoned oil and butter mixture over the bread cubes in the bowl. Add the optional freshly grated Parmesan cheese if using. Toss well to ensure every piece of bread is evenly coated with the flavorful mixture.
  5. Arrange and bake: Spread the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
  6. Stir and continue baking: Remove the baking sheet from the oven, stir the croutons to promote even browning, and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 8 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
  7. Cool the croutons: Once baked, remove the croutons from the oven and place the baking sheet on a cooling rack. Let them cool completely for about 30 minutes. They will continue to crisp as they cool.
  8. Storage: Store leftover croutons lightly covered at room temperature for up to 1 day. For longer storage, keep them covered tightly and they will last up to 10 days.

Notes

  • Using day-old or slightly stale bread works best as it creates crisper croutons.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste; you can add other herbs like thyme or rosemary for variation.
  • Adding Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a lovely savory touch.
  • To make gluten-free croutons, substitute with gluten-free bread.
  • Ensure bread cubes are spread out evenly on the baking sheet to avoid soggy croutons.

Find it online: https://yumfoodusa.com/homemade-croutons-recipe/