Ingredients
Basic Croutons
- 4 cups day-old bread, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Optional Add-Ins
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Season the Bread
- Place bread cubes in a large bowl.
- Drizzle with olive oil or melted butter.
- Add garlic powder, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Toss until the bread is evenly coated.
3. Bake
- Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
4. Cool
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
- The croutons will become even crispier as they cool.
Tips
- Use sturdy breads like French bread, sourdough, ciabatta, or baguette for the best texture.
- Day-old bread works better than fresh bread because it’s drier and crisps up more easily.
- For extra flavor, add Parmesan cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Store completely cooled croutons in an airtight container to maintain crispness.
- If they soften over time, re-crisp them in the oven for a few minutes.
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Toss bread cubes with oil and seasonings.
- Air fry for 5–8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Cool before serving.
Storage
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze for up to 3 months and reheat briefly before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Caesar salad
- Tomato soup
- Butternut squash soup
- Garden salads
- Stuffing and casseroles
These homemade croutons are crunchy, flavorful, and far better than store-bought versions, making them the perfect finishing touch for your favorite dishes. 🥖✨🥗🍲
