Homemade Croutons

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This homemade croutons recipe is easy to make with 4 ingredients in 15 minutes – and they’re so much more delicious than store bought! Learn how to make croutons by following our step-by-step tutorial and video.

Homemade Croutons on a baking sheet

Homemade croutons are so delicious they transform any salad from good to great! They are crispy but still soft and so flavorful.

If you need another reason besides taste to make your own homemade croutons, consider this, many popular store bought crouton varieties contain over twenty ingredients, and they are not all natural/nutritious.

However, this homemade crouton recipe only contains four ingredients, all of which you can pronounce. Especially if you use our homemade french bread recipe to make them – yum!

Follow along as I show you how to make croutons that will level up your salad game forever!

Homemade Croutons on a salad

Homemade Croutons: Ingredients & Substitutions

overhead photo of the ingredients in this Homemade Croutons recipe
  • French bread. You can use any bread you have around your house to make homemade croutons. However I recommend french bread for the best taste – especially this homemade French bread. Other ideas include, sourdough, rye or your favorite gluten-free bread for gluten-free croutons. 
  • Olive oil. infused olive oils or avocado oil are good substitutes.
  • Fine sea salt. if using iodized table salt, decrease the amount by half.
  • Garlic powder. I don’t recommend omitting or substituting the garlic powder, because it makes these garlic croutons very flavorful! But you can omit it to make plain croutons.
Homemade Croutons on a salad

How to Make Croutons

Let’s walk through how to make croutons together, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin by cutting a half a loaf of french bread into ยฝ to 1″ cubes. If you prefer softer croutons, cut them on the larger side (1″), if you like crispy croutons, make them smaller!

How to Make Croutons - bread cubed on a plate

Once the bread is cubed, put it in a large bowl and drizzle the olive oil over the bread cubes.

How to Make Croutons - pouring olive oil over bread cubes in a bowl

Then stir until all the bread is evenly coated in olive oil.

How to Make Croutons - stirring olive oil into bread cubes

Next, combine the salt, garlic powder and pepper in a small bowl, then add half of the spice mixture to the croutons.

How to Make Croutons adding spice mixture to bread cubes in a bowl

Then, stir the mixture gently.

Stir gently

In every step, it’s important to stir gently. If stirred too vigorously, the bread cubes will break apart and you will end up with bread crumbs instead of nice, square croutons! 

How to Make Croutons - stirring spices into bread with a wood spoon in a bowl

Then, add the remaining spice mixture and stir again until it’s evenly distributed.

Bake

Next, spread the croutons in an even layer on a baking sheet.

How to Make Croutons - bread spread onto a baking sheet before baking

Bake the homemade croutons for 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through. You may need to adjust baking time depending on your oven and your preferences (crunchy or slightly soft). Test at 10 minutes and adjust accordingly.

Please note: these croutons won’t really brown, but they will get crispy! Once they reach your desired doneness, set them aside to cool!

How to Make Croutons - stirring baked croutons on a baking sheet with a wooden spatula

Serve

Of course, I suggest serving croutons on your favorite salads. My all-time favorites are burrata salad and panzanella salad. They’re great combined with these candied almonds for a sweet crunch too! Here are some additional suggestions outside of just salads:

  • In soupWe love adding fresh croutons to our favorite soups in the winter time. Especially in tomato soup and butternut squash soup.
  • As a snack. My kids go crazy over these croutons. Whenever I make them I always put a few on their dinner plates to enjoy by themselves, they’re that good.
  • As breadcrumbs. If you need breadcrumbs and just so happen to have these homemade croutons on hand, toss some in the food processor and presto! The most delicious breadcrumbs you’ve ever tasted.
Homemade Croutons on a burrata salad

Homemade Croutons Recipes FAQs

How do you store homemade croutons?ย 

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Can you freeze croutons?ย 

Yes! Freeze in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven set to warm.

How do you reheat croutons?ย 

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F. Spread the croutons out on a baking sheet and heat until they are warmed through (about 10 minutes).ย 

Can I double this recipe?

This recipe is easily halved, doubled, tripled, etc. Just make sure to bake them in an even layer, which, if doubling, could mean using two baking sheets.

Homemade Croutons on a baking sheet with a wooden spatula

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Homemade Croutons Recipe

Laura
This homemade croutons recipe is easy to make with 4 ingredients in 15 minutes – and they're so much more delicious than store bought! Learn how to make croutons by following our step-by-step tutorial and video.
5 from 3 votes
Course condiment, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 20 servings
Calories 52
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Lightly grease a large baking sheet, set aside.
  • Cut French bread into ยฝ to 1โ€ cubes (about 12 to 18โ€ loaf of French bread).
  • Drizzle with olive oil, stir to combine.
  • Combine garlic powder, sea salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  • Sprinkle half the spice mixture over the bread and stir.
  • Then, sprinkle the remaining spice mixture and stir until evenly distributed.
  • Spread the seasoned bread cubes in one layer on prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
  • Set aside to cool.

Video

Notes

Cooking Time
The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your bread cubes and how crispy you like your croutons. I like mine slightly soft, so I cut them larger and bake for 10 minutes. For crispier croutons cut smaller cubes and bake for 10 minutes, then check and bake longer if desired. They will crisp more after being removed from the oven.
Ingredient Substitutions
  • French bread. You can use any bread you have around your house to make homemade croutons. However I recommend french bread for the best taste – especially this homemade French bread. Other ideas include, sourdough, rye or your favorite gluten-free bread for gluten-free croutons.ย 
  • Olive oil.ย infused olive oils or avocado oil are good substitutes.
  • Fine sea salt.ย if using iodized table salt, decrease the amount by half.
  • Garlic powder.ย I don’t recommend omitting or substituting the garlic powder, because it makes these garlic croutons very flavorful! But youย can omit it to make plain croutons.
Store
Chances are you won’t eat the entire batch of homemade croutons in one shot. To save for tomorrow’s salad, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week! I don’t recommend refrigerating them.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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1 Comment

  1. 5 stars
    I think no croutons match homemade croutons. I haven’t had croutons in so long but it’s such a good way to use leftover bread. ๐Ÿ™‚