Homemade croutons are a delightful addition to salads, soups, and more, offering a satisfying crunch and burst of flavor that elevates any dish. These crunchy bites are not just a great way to use up stale bread, but they can be customized to match a variety of flavors.
Ingredients
Scale:
4 cups of bread (day-old or stale works best; any type like French, Italian, or whole wheat)
1/4 cup olive oil or melted butter
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried herbs (optional, such as oregano, thyme, or basil)
2-3 cloves of minced fresh garlic (optional for garlic croutons)
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare the Bread: Cut your bread into 1-inch cubes. If your bread is not stale, you can toast it lightly in the oven for about 5-10 minutes.
Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the olive oil or melted butter, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and any herbs you desire. If you’re making garlic croutons, add in the minced garlic at this stage.
Toss the Bread: Add the cubed bread to the bowl and toss well until all pieces are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings.
Arrange on Baking Sheet: Spread the croutons in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake: Bake the croutons in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes. Stir them halfway through to promote even browning.
Cool: Remove from the oven and let the croutons cool on the baking sheet.
Store: Once completely cooled, store the croutons in an airtight container.
