Description
Crispy, golden, and bursting with flavor, these homemade croutons are perfect for topping salads, soups, or just snacking. Simple to make with pantry staples.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 cups day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (French or sourdough preferred)
- 1/4 cup olive oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or a mix of oregano, basil, thyme)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Add bread cubes to the bowl and toss until evenly coated with the seasoned oil.
- Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- Let cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Notes
- Use stale bread for best texture and flavor absorption.
- For cheesy croutons, add 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan before baking.
- Croutons keep well for up to 1 week stored in a dry, airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg