Published May 28, 2020.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
While so simple to make, there is nothing like homemade croutons, especially when served up in your favorite salad or soup recipe.
I love loaded-up salads like my Green Goddessor my Lemon Chicken Chopped salad where I can add as many things to it as I want, especially these croutons.
Croutons
Croutons are one of the easiest things to make and are a fantastic ingredient to help take your salad, or whatever you want to serve it with, to the next level. They come from the word crouté, which means crust in French, and obviously they are crunchy, so it makes perfect sense.
My inclination into the history tells me that people, I’m guessing Italian, would use old crusty bread and use it as a garnish into a salad like a Panzanella, or even a soup such as Ribollita.
What Kind of Bread to Use
You can use just about any bread out there that you would like, and here are some of my recommendations:
- Baguette
- French
- White
- Italian
- Artisan
- Sourdough
How to Make Croutons
Follow these easy instructions for how to make this tasty recipe:
Cut the bread into bite-size pieces, roughly ½” by ½”.
Add them to a bowl and season them with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil.
Mix the croutons to ensure they are completely coated.
Spread out on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes.
Additional Spices to Add to Them
While my recipe is simply olive oil, salt, pepper, and bread, there are a number of dried spices you can add to the croutons to elevate the flavor. Here are a few things you could add in addition to oil, salt, and pepper:
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Oregano
- Basil
- Thyme
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: You can make these up to 3 days ahead of time. Make sure they are covered and stored properly before serving.
How to Store: Keep in an airtight plastic container or bag and keep at room temperature for up to 7 days.
chef notes + tips
- You can also cook the croutons in a pan. Instead of tossing them in olive oil, you add it to a pan and cook the bread in the oil until browned and crunchy.
- You can also replace the olive oil with melted unsalted butter.
- The most classic recipe this would go well in is a Ceaser salad
What to Serve Them With
- Mandarin Orange Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
- Summer Panzanella
- Tuscan Bean Soup
- Mulligatawny
Be sure to follow me onFacebook,YouTube,Instagram,andPinterest,and if you’ve had a chance to make this then definitely drop me a comment and a rating below!
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The Best Homemade Croutons Recipe
5 from 9 votes
While so simple to make, there is nothing like homemade croutons, especially when served up in your favorite salad or soup recipe.
Servings: 10
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Ingredients
- 1 baguette cut into ½” cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- sea salt and pepper
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°.
Add the cubed bread to a large bowl and toss with the olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Spread out on a cookie sheet tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 375° for 15 to 20 minutes or until browned and crunchy.
Cool and serve.
Notes
Chef Notes:
- Make-Ahead: You can make these up to 3 days ahead of time. Make sure they are covered and stored properly before serving.
- How to Store: Keep in an airtight plastic container or bag and keep at room temperature for up to 7 days.
- You can also cook the croutons in a pan. Instead of tossing them in olive oil, you add it to a pan and cook the bread in the oil until browned and crunchy.
- You can also replace the olive oil with melted unsalted butter.
Nutrition
Calories: 105kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 153mgPotassium: 28mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
Course: Salad, Soup
Cuisine: French, Italian
Author: Chef Billy Parisi
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16 comments
- Karla Coon
I have made croutons using this method and it works great! It’s nice to have step by step tips to ensure consistent results!
- Reply
- Karie Nordin
These croutons were so easy to make and taste delicious. I used an artesian French baguette for mine.
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- Chris
Simple, easy & delicious! I took your suggestionon and added a little garlic powder. Another winner!
- Reply
- yvette Jensen
this are delicious 2Nd batch I added a lettle kemon zest to the olive oil they were delicius too
- Reply
- Anissa Gage
Thank you dear for this easy crouton recipe! I’ll use my own bread for it. Again, thank you dearly! I get a kick out of you and your recipes! The stray cat I named after you, his name’s “the Great Grand Chef Billy Purr-easy” is settling in well! I hope you and yours have a lovely holiday! Take care and stay safe!!!!!!!!!
- Reply
- HCampbell
This recipe is so simple, yet so delicious. These are not even in the same league as pre made croutons from the supermarket. In addition to a salad topping, we make these as a crunchy snack.
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appreciate you trying it
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- Sylvia
Very good! I love it with the Garlic Powder.
- Reply
so good!!
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- Corinne O’Blenis
So easy and so delicious. I added a little garlic, because thats what I do.
- Reply
appreciate you trying it
- Reply
- Karen Mathews
I appreciate your site Even a long time foodie like me loves to try your recipes- this is a go to for me almost daily.
- Reply
thanks for giving it a shot!!
- Reply
- KellyM
Love these croutons. I eat as snack or in salads and soups.
- Reply
yup!
- Reply
- Rehab
👌❤
- Reply
