Croutons are small, toasted pieces of bread that are often added to salads, soups, and other dishes for added texture and flavor. They are typically made from stale bread that has been cut into cubes, tossed with olive oil or butter, and seasoned with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices.
Crouton Ingredients:
- Bread: Stale bread is preferred for making croutons, as it will be more crispy and flavorful. Any type of bread can be used, but sourdough, French bread, and ciabatta are particularly good choices.
- Olive Oil or Butter: Olive oil or melted butter is used to coat the bread cubes and help them brown evenly.
- Salt and Pepper: Salt and pepper are essential for seasoning the croutons.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is a popular seasoning for croutons, as it adds a savory flavor.
- Other Herbs and Spices: Other herbs and spices that can be used to season croutons include Italian seasoning, oregano, dill, chives, and dried parsley.
Crouton Variations:
There are many different variations of croutons that can be made by adding different ingredients or using different methods. Some popular variations include:
- Grilled Croutons: Grilled croutons are made by grilling thick slices of bread instead of baking them. This gives them a smoky flavor and a slightly softer texture.
- Garlic and Herb Croutons: Garlic and herb croutons are made by adding extra garlic powder and other herbs to the seasoning mix.
- Parmesan Cheese Croutons: Parmesan cheese croutons are made by adding grated Parmesan cheese to the bread cubes before baking.
- Gluten-Free Croutons: Gluten-free croutons can be made using gluten-free bread.
Crouton Storage:
Homemade croutons can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
Crouton Uses:
Croutons can be used in a variety of dishes, including:
- Salads: Croutons add texture and flavor to salads.
- Soups: Croutons can be added to soups for a crunchy topping.
- Stuffings and Casseroles: Croutons can be used to add texture and flavor to stuffings and casseroles.
- Breadcrumbs: Croutons can be ground into breadcrumbs and used for breading or coating foods.
Conclusion
Croutons are a versatile and easy-to-make addition to many dishes. They can be made with just a few simple ingredients and can be customized to your taste. So next time you’re looking for a way to add a little extra flavor and texture to your food, try making some homemade croutons.
How to Make Croutons
This is a very simple method for making croutons—it only takes about thirty minutes, most of which is spent baking without touching the dough. I like to prepare the rest of the meal while the croutons bake if I’m making them for a particular soup or salad. Here’s how I make them:
First, cube the bread. For this recipe, you want good-quality country or French bread, but don’t worry about it being perfectly fresh. Cut the bread into 3/4-inch cubes; day-old bread is okay, or even days-old bread; the idea is to get it nice and crispy so that leftover bread has a head start! To ensure that they cook in the oven at the same rate, try to get them as even as possible.
Next, make the garlic oil. While garlic powder is commonly used to season garlic croutons, I much prefer the complex, sharp flavor of fresh garlic in this recipe. To achieve it, I make an infused garlic oil. Two smashed garlic cloves should be heated for about a minute in 1/4 cup olive oil, or until fragrant. Before pouring the oil over the cubed bread, let it cool a little.
Next, toss. Toss the bread in the oil and generously sprinkle with salt. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet after everything has been equally covered with oil and salt.
Lastly, bake! Bake the homemade croutons for 10 to 18 minutes, or until they are crisp and golden brown. How crispy you like your croutons and how fresh your bread is will determine how long it takes. The longer you bake them, the crispier they’ll be. After taking them out of the oven, sprinkle some dried parsley on top of them. Enjoy!.
- For fall and winter, I always bake my croutons instead of grilling them. But in the summertime, I often make grilled croutons instead. They have a wonderful charred, smoky flavor, but they’re not quite as crisp as baked ones. To prepare them, brush thick country bread slices with olive oil and place them under the grill for a few minutes on each side, or until char marks appear. After taking the grilled bread off the heat, rub it with the cut side of a clove of garlic to give it a garlicky taste. Then, cube the bread. That’s it!.
- Swap the seasoning. I adore this easy seasoning of dried parsley and garlic, but you can adjust this crouton recipe to your own preferences. Toss the bread with garlic powder before baking it, or immediately after baking, toss the baked croutons with freshly grated garlic for a stronger garlic taste. Use another dried herb, such as oregano, dill, or chives, in place of the dried parsley, or add dried Italian seasoning to the croutons. Let me know what variations you try!.
How To Make Croutons | 1 Minute Tips | French Guy Cooking
FAQ
What are croutons made of?
Is croutons bread healthy?
What’s the difference between croutons and bread?
Do croutons have a lot of calories?
How do you make croutons?
Croutons are very easy to make with just two main ingredients and a few basic seasonings. You’ll need bread, of course, as well as olive oil (or melted butter), salt, pepper and garlic powder. The oil or butter helps the bread develop crisp, golden edges, and the seasonings bring out the croutons’ best. Making croutons is a straightforward process.
Can you make croutons out of bread?
Good news! You can make croutons out of just about any bread you have on hand. Using day-old bread is best for getting the crunchiest croutons. Whether it’s a leftover piece of artisan French bread (as I used here), a loaf of sandwich bread, or something in the whole wheat family, croutons can be on the menu.
What are salad croutons?
Croutons are chunks of bread flavored and seasoned with herbs or spices that are rebaked in the oven or sautéed on the stove. You can totally customize flavors and seasonings, but here are the basics you’ll need: The big flavor for salad croutons comes from the oil or butter you toss them with.