Learn how to make Homemade Croutons with this simple, flavor-packed recipe! Serve these flavorful bites with fresh salad, soup, or nibble on as a snack. I’ve been making these for years and can confirm they are totally irresistible.
Add something special to Sweet Potato Soup, Healthy Mushroom Soup, or a green salad with Homemade Greek Salad Dressing with these easy-to-make, delicious croutons.
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5-Star Reader Comment
LOVE THIS! Love croutons! Such a simple, easy to follow recipe…tasty!
Avery
Homemade Croutons are one of the easiest things to make. More importantly, they add extra flavor, texture, and crunch to soups, chilies, salads, and so many other dishes. Not only are they delicious, but they are easy to customize with your favorite herbs and spices. And, guess what, they only take 10 minutes to make.
How To Make Homemade Croutons
Ingredients
- You’ll need stale bread, whatever kind that you like.
- To get that perfect crisp texture, I combine butter and olive oil.
- My basic recipe uses salt, black pepper, fresh thyme, and parmesan, but you can customize them with any seasonings you like.
What Kind Of Bread Is Best For Croutons?
To make the best croutons, use good bread. I’ve found that French, Italian, or Sourdough works best. The key is to use stale or day-old bread. That way, when toasted in the cast iron skillet, it will crisp up nicely.
Variations On This Recipe
These croutons are the perfect way to add all kinds of flavor to other dishes. You can add all different kinds of herbs and seasonings to give them your own special twist. Here are some of my favorites to add to this recipe:
- Red pepper flakes
- Southern Soul House Seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Dan-O’s All Natural Seasoning
- Fresh rosemary
Step By Step Instructions
- First, cube up the bread, then heat butter and olive oil in a cast iron skillet or pan on medium heat.
- Once the butter has melted, add salt, pepper, thyme & Parmesan cheese.
- Next, add the bread cubes and toss to coat. Turn the heat down to medium-low. Continue to sauté, tossing the bread, until the cubes are golden brown. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Serve warm or let cool and store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Donya’s Success Tips
The key to really good homemade croutons is to ensure the bread is stale. If not, you’ll end up with lightly crisp bread pieces. And if you need the bread to be stale, you can pop the pieces in the oven plain for 5-10 minutes to dry them out before turning them into croutons.
What’s The Best Way To Store Croutons?
The best way to store homemade croutons is in an airtight container. They will last about a week. When making a big batch, I keep them in the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature before using them.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can bake them on a baking sheet at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes. However, I find it more of a hassle because you must keep opening the oven to stir them so all the sides get crispy.
Freezing homemade croutons is a great way to preserve them and ensure you have a crunchy topping ready whenever needed! Cool them completely and put them in a freezer-safe bag. Store in the freezer for up to three months. To use, thaw at room temperature. To regain their crispiness, pop them in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes.
How To Use Seasoned Croutons
These croutons are perfect for soups! Try them with Healthy Mushroom Soup, Creamy Tomato Soup, or Roasted Cabbage Soup.
Toss in a few homemade croutons to take a salad to the next level of goodness. I love them in Tomato Cucumber Salad, on a Caesar salad, or in a fresh green salad with Green Goddess Dressing. Or add them to this Apple Sausage Dressing during the holidays.
More Recipes Like This
If you tried this Homemade Croutons Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed day old bread
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat butter and olive oil in cast iron skillet or pan on medium heat.
- Once butter has melted, add salt, pepper, thyme & cheese.
- Add bread cubes and toss to coat. Turn burner down to medium low.
- Continue to sauté, tossing bread until cubes are golden brown.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Serve either warm or let cool and store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Notes
-
- Red pepper flakes
-
- Italian seasoning
-
- Garlic powder
-
- Fresh rosemary
- The best way to store homemade croutons is in an airtight container. They will last about a week. When making a big batch, I keep them in the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature before using them.
- Freezing homemade croutons is a great way to preserve them and ensure you have a crunchy topping ready whenever needed! Cool them completely and put them in a freezer-safe bag. Store in the freezer for up to three months. To use, thaw at room temperature. To regain their crispiness, pop them in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes.
Nutrition
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LOVE THIS! Love croutons! Such a simple, easy to follow recipe…tasty!