These Homemade Croutons are crunchy and so easy to make. If you have some leftover bread, make croutons and toss them over Caesar Salad as a healthier and tastier alternative to store-bought croutons.
Check out our video tutorial below to learn how to make croutons that are quick, easy, and perfectly crispy.
Easy Crouton Recipe Video
Watch Natasha make crunchy, flavorful homemade croutons in the oven with only a few basic ingredients. You’ll be skipping store-bought croutons from now on. Here’s why:
- Super Crunchy – These homemade croutons bake up irresistibly crisp and golden, with loads of flavor thanks to some garlic and seasonings.
- Less Waste – Save any stale bread laying around the pantry and easily transform it into flavorful, crunchy croutons to use on your favorite soups and salads.
- Healthier – Homemade croutons are a great way to satisfy a craving for crunch without all the additives, preservatives, and cheap oil that comes with store-bought croutons.
You only need 5 ingredients to make crispy and garlicky homemade croutons (find the full details in the recipe card below).
- Bread – The best bread for croutons is crusty bread with a spongy center such as Sourdough, Focaccia, Crusty French Bread, or even a Baguette. See our tip below.
- Olive Oil – Choose a good-quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Italian Seasoning – This is a popular seasoning blend found in the spice aisle of most grocery stores. It combines dried Italian herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.
- Garlic – We’ll use real garlic cloves if we have them, otherwise a teaspoon of garlic powder works perfectly.
- Salt and Pepper
Pro Tip: You want your bread to be at least a day old. It’ll be easier to cut and holds its shape better. You could use one of our homemade bread recipes, or try a day-old loaf of bread from your local bakery with great results.
Ways to Use Homemade Croutons
Croutons are a classic garnish, and they’re equally delicious as a light snack. We recommend adding croutons to soups and salads just before serving, to prevent the crunchy croutons from getting soggy. Enjoy your homemade croutons as a topping with these easy meal ideas:
Homemade croutons will keep fresh for weeks when properly stored, so they’re great for making ahead.
- To Store: Once the baked croutons have cooled completely to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container or large zip-top bag. Store them on the counter for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: You can also freeze croutons for longer-term storage. We recommend flash-freezing the croutons on a baking sheet until solid, then transferring the frozen croutons to an airtight freezer bag. Store them frozen for up to 1 month and thaw them in the fridge. You may wish to place your defrosted croutons into the oven for a few minutes to crisp them up again before serving.
Sprinkle these homemade croutons wherever you need a bit of crunch! Making croutons from scratch will elevate any salad that calls for them. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Andrew Zimmern Cooks: Garlic & Herb Croutons
Why are my croutons soggy?
Moisture Content: Excess moisture can lead to soggy croutons. Make sure the bread you use is a bit stale, as fresh bread can retain moisture. You can also try drying the bread in the oven before making croutons. Size and Thickness: The size and thickness of your croutons matter.
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Why are my croutons not crispy?
If your croutons aren’t as crispy as you’d like, there could be a few reasons for this: Moisture Content: Excess moisture can lead to soggy croutons. Make sure the bread you use is a bit stale, as fresh bread can retain moisture. You can also try drying the bread in the oven before making croutons.
Why do croutons lose their crispiness?
Croutons will lose their crispiness when they’re exposed to humidity, air, or moisture. This can happen when croutons are left unsealed or if they’ve been thawed after freezing. You can keep your croutons nice and crunchy by heating them up in a pan over medium-low heat; this will remove any moisture from the croutons.