Description
Crispy, golden, and perfectly seasoned, these easy homemade croutons add the perfect crunch to soups and salads. Made with just a few pantry ingredients, they’re a delicious way to use up leftover bread.
Ingredients
4 cups cubed day-old bread (French, sourdough, or any rustic bread)
3 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or a mix of oregano, thyme, and basil)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut bread into small, even-sized cubes, about 3/4 inch thick.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the bread cubes with olive oil or melted butter until well-coated.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Toss again to evenly coat.
- If using Parmesan, sprinkle it in and toss once more.
- Spread the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
- Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Notes
- For best results, use day-old bread, as it absorbs flavors better.
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste preference.
- These croutons are perfect for soups, salads, or as a crunchy snack.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 2/3 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg