There is just something so comforting about homemade croutons. They are amazing on top of Classic Caesar Salad, Warm Spinach and Bacon Salad, or Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. And they only take about 20 minutes to make! They truly will take your favorite salad or soup to the next level!
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🥖 The Ingredients
With just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, you can make unforgettable, restaurant-quality homemade croutons right in your own kitchen. Find ingredient notes (including substitutions and variations) below.
🌿 Substitutions and Variations
- Bread – Go with your favorite bread. We love either an Italian or a French loaf. Baguettes work well, but you’ll have a more dense crouton. Sourdough is delicious, and also a bit denser. Sandwich bread works great, as well. All types!
- Flavor enhancers – We find dried herbs, such as oregano and basil, add a subtle flavor. Experiment with other herbs, such as marjoram, thyme, or rosemary.
- More flavor options – If you like garlic, toss the croutons with finely minced garlic right after baking. Or, add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder into the oil mixture before tossing with the bread.
See the recipe card (with video) below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Expert Tip
Cut the bread into approximately ¾-inch slices. Then cut those slices into strips, and then cube. We usually cut the bottom layer of the crust away, but leave the crust on the side and top edges. The crust adds a little more texture to some of the croutons, which we like. If you want crustless, uniform croutons, then cut away all the crust before cubing.
👩🏼🍳 How To Make Homemade Croutons
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic, and oregano.
- Step 2: Cut the bread into 1-inch slices.
- Step 3: Cut away the crusts and cube the bread into 1-inch pieces.
- Step 4: Pour the oil mixture over the cubed bread and toss to coat.
- Step 5: Bake until golden and crunchy, about 15 minutes at 400°F.
- Step 6: Toss the warm croutons with chopped fresh herbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
👉 How To Store
- Homemade croutons will stay perfectly crunchy and delicious in a bowl on your counter for a couple of days. You can store them in a baggie or an airtight container for up to 1 week (no need to refrigerate).
- Our favorite way to keep them, though, is to freeze them. They thaw very quickly and are perfect when you need them for a warm bowl of soup or a delicious salad.
- When they are fresh out of the oven, we hit them with just another sprinkle of salt.
🙋🏽♂️ Frequently Asked Questions
Fresh, or even better, stale or day-old bread like French baguette, sourdough, or Italian bread works best because it holds up well when toasted and absorbs flavors nicely.
Homemade croutons stay fresh and crispy for up to two weeks when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Yes, simply use gluten-free bread to make croutons that are safe for gluten-sensitive diets without sacrificing flavor or crunch.
🥗 Recipes with Homemade Croutons
Ready to make croutons from scratch! Go for it! You’ll be so glad that you did.
And when you make them, be sure to take a picture, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and #HowToFeedaLoon!
Homemade Croutons
Video
Equipment
- 1 Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 loaf bread Italian loaf or French baguette
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- ½ teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 tablespoon Italian parsley chopped, optional
- 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese grated, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- After cutting the bread into approximately ¾-inch slices, cut into ½-inch strips, and then cube. If desired, cut away the crusts.1 loaf bread
- Add the melted butter, oil, garlic, and seasonings to a medium-sized bowl. Stir until mixed.2 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 clove garlic, ½ teaspoon Kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon oregano
- Add the bread cubes and toss until fully coated.
- Spread the coated bread cubes onto a baking sheet. Drizzle any leftover butter/oil/garlic mixture over the bread.
- Bake for 10 minutes, or until just starting to brown. Open the oven and stir the cubes around with a wooden spoon. Close the door and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the croutons are golden
- Remove from oven and transfer croutons to a plate lined with paper towels. Sprinkle with a little more salt, if desired. Toss with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan, if desired.1 tablespoon Italian parsley, 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 2 months.
Vera says
I would like to know how would you measure 6.67 slice of bread and 2.67 tbsp. and 0.67 tsp Please let me know Thank you Vera
Kris Longwell says
Hi Vera, where are you seeing these measurements?