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homemade croutons on a scraped black baking sheet with a wooden spoon.

Homemade Croutons

Course: American / French
Cuisine: American / French
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 118.69kcal
Homemade Croutons are so easy to make and truly take your favorite salad, soup, or stew to the next level. They freeze beautifully for up to 2 months!
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Ingredients

  • 5 slices bread cut from an Italian loaf or French baguette
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ½ tsp Kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • ½ tsp oregano dried

Instructions

  • Pre-heat oven to 400°F.
  • After cutting the bread into approximately ¾-inch slices, cut into ½-inch strips, and then cube.
  • Add the melted butter, oil, garlic, and seasonings to a medium-sized bowl. Stir until mixed.
  • 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.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Video

Notes

Using a fresh, unsliced loaf of bread works best. We love Italian or a French baguette.  White, sourdough, pumpernickel, or whole wheat are all great choices. Cubed sliced sandwich bread will work in a pinch.
Use a combination of your favorite herbs, either dried or fresh. About 1 tsp for fresh, and ½ tsp for dried. Grated parmesan cheese is a great addition, too. We'd recommend about 1 tbsp, if using grated cheese.
This recipe is easily doubled or tripled. If you like your croutons extra crunchy, leave them in the oven longer until they've reached the desired texture.  
These will keep on the counter in a bowl for up to 2 days, in an air-tight container, or baggie, for up to 1 week, and frozen in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 118.69kcal | Carbohydrates: 11.93g | Protein: 2.52g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 10.03mg | Sodium: 315.61mg | Potassium: 42.47mg | Fiber: 1.09g | Sugar: 1.43g | Vitamin A: 116.62IU | Vitamin C: 0.16mg | Calcium: 34.86mg | Iron: 0.88mg