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How to Make Homemade Croutons

August 12, 2022
Shanika | Orchids + Sweet Tea
How to Make Homemade Croutons using a handful of simple ingredients that taste better than the store-bought version you're use to enjoying!

How to Make Homemade Croutons

How to Make Homemade Croutons is the easiest way to recreate the crispy, flavorful, and perfect bite version of the store-bought croutons. These croutons are so versatile and can be thoroughly enjoyed atop your favorite salad, soup, stuffing-----you name it! Gluten-free option available.

Wooden salad tossers with homemade croutons

I don't know about you, but croutons are by far one of the things that I can't live without, especially whenever I'm eating salads. There's just something about these little crispy cube-like pieces of bread that makes almost everything taste better. Haha.

These Homemade Croutons are really delicious and come completely crispy, crunchy, flavorful + well seasoned, and made with a handful of simple ingredients that you already have on hand. Luckily, you can either use store-bought Italian seasoning (I love McCormick spice) or you can gather together individual herbs + spices to create an amazing homemade blend.

Once you make these homemade croutons, I promise that you'll be making batches of them for all of the best topping possibilities.

How to Make Homemade Croutons

These Homemade Croutons are easy to throw together. While you might think that it’s so hard to make—-I’m here to show you just how easy it is. In a bowl, add the cubed bread, olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and black pepper, tossing everything together until bread is fully coated.

Add the bread unto the baking sheet (spreading it out evenly) and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the bread has become golden and are crisp. Remove and let it cool.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THESE CROUTONS!

Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with these homemade croutons. Everything from my fave baking sheet, liners, pastry blender (for mashing too), mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

Slices of bread on a cutting board with a knife

Ingredients for Homemade Croutons

For the best Homemade Croutons, it’s all about the simple ingredients!

Here’s what you need for the croutons:

  • Bread. I love using rustic bread such as sourdough, however, other types of rustic bread works just fine!
  • Olive oil. Don’t skimp on the oil! It helps concentrate the bread and makes for a nice crispy texture once baked. You can also use Grapeseed oil as well.
  • Italian seasoning. You can use a store-bought version or create your own blend.
  • Dried herbs. I like a mixture of Italian seasoning with additional herbs + seasonings like salt, black pepper, parsley and additional garlic powder.

Jars of olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and parsley

The Best Bread for Homemade Croutons

A crusty rustic bread (a day or two old) is perfect bread for these homemade croutons. They are naturally thin, so the slices end up being perfectly sized. They are light and airy, so the toast is not too dense upon biting. Because of the large air pockets in the bread, they make for a lovely mouthfeel once they are cubed. Here’s the best breads:

  • sourdough
  • challah
  • ciabatta
  • dinner roll
  • french baguettes
  • hot dog buns (especially brioche-like ones)

Wooden spoon stirring a bowl of seasoned, chopped bread

How to Make Homemade Italian Seasoning

If you're thinking about making your own Italian seasoning blend, then look no further! All you need is handful of herbs + spices, mix them together, and wallah:

  • Oregano
  • Basil
  • Parsley
  • Thyme
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Garlic powder
  • Red pepper flakes

How to Store Homemade Italian Seasoning

You can keep leftover seasoning in a small tightly sealed jar and at room temperature for up to 6 months like your other herbs + spices.

Seasoned, chopped bread on a baking sheet

How to Best Use Homemade Croutons

As I've said before, homemade croutons are super versatile and can be used as a part of so many dishes. You can add these croutons to a food processor and pulse until fully broken down to create homemade breadcrumbs. In addition, you can add these croutons to the following:

Sheet pan of Homemade Croutons

How to Best Store + Freeze Homemade Croutons

Leftovers should be cooled completely and then stored in a sealed tight container or ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. You can freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. To serve, simply reheat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until thawed and crispy.

Can I Make these Homemade Croutons Gluten-Free?

Absolutely! Be sure to use gluten-free friendly bread for these homemade croutons.

Homemade croutons on parchment paper

My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Recipes

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you make this How to Make Homemade Croutons, be sure to tag me on Instagram @orchidsandsweettea!

Homemade croutons on parchment paper

How to Make Homemade Croutons

August 12, 2022
5 from 1 vote
How to Make Homemade Croutons using a handful of simple ingredients that taste better than the store-bought version you're use to enjoying!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 cups rustic bread, cubed into ¾ inches (I like to use sourdough bread)
  • cup Extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsps Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • Pinch of sea salt + black pepper

Instructions

TO MAKE THE HOMEMADE CROUTONS:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
  • In a bowl, add the cubed bread, olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and black pepper, tossing everything together until bread is fully coated. Add the bread unto the baking sheet (spreading it out evenly) and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the bread has become golden and are crisp. Remove and let it cool.
  • Serve homemade croutons atop your favorite salad, soup, stuffed veggies, polenta, eggs, etc.
  • Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

  • STORAGE: Leftovers should be cooled completely and then stored in a sealed tight container or ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. You can freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. To serve, simply reheat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until thawed and crispy.
  • GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: Be sure to use gluten-free friendly bread for these homemade croutons. 

Nutrition

Calories: 813kcal | Carbohydrates: 114g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1120mg | Potassium: 356mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 22IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 313mg | Iron: 9mg

DID YOU MAKE THIS recipe?

Tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea

 

 

Script text: Xx, Shanika

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