Elevate your culinary creations to new heights with the irresistible crunch of homemade croutons! Simple to prepare and a brilliant way to revitalize day-old bread, this versatile recipe empowers you to infuse your favorite flavors and seasonings. Discover six inspiring ideas within this guide to transform your soups and salads from ordinary to extraordinary.
The Art of Homemade Croutons: A Culinary Essential
There’s a distinct satisfaction that comes with crafting certain kitchen staples from scratch, and for me, homemade croutons rank high on that list, right alongside freshly prepared salad dressings. While store-bought croutons certainly get the job done, they often fall short of delivering the vibrant flavors, satisfying crunch, and artisanal touch that only homemade versions can offer.
Imagine perfectly toasted cubes of your favorite bread, generously coated in aromatic garlic butter and a hint of olive oil, seasoned with just the right amount of salt and pepper. This isn’t just a topping; it’s a game-changer for any soup or salad. What makes them even more appealing is their simplicity and the clever way they help repurpose leftover bread, preventing food waste while creating something truly delicious.
Choosing the Best Bread for Perfect Croutons
One of the beauties of making homemade croutons is their incredible adaptability. You can transform almost any bread into delightful crunchy morsels, making it an excellent solution for using up loaves that are a day or two past their prime. In fact, using slightly stale or day-old bread is highly recommended, as its reduced moisture content allows for a crispier, more satisfying crunch once toasted. Fresh, soft bread tends to absorb too much moisture and might become chewy rather than truly crisp.
While this recipe often features French bread, beloved for its sturdy crust and airy interior, your options are virtually limitless. Consider a rustic sourdough for a more robust flavor, a soft brioche for a richer, more buttery crouton, or even whole wheat bread for a wholesome twist. Each bread type brings its unique characteristics to the table, influencing both the final texture and taste. It’s important to remember that different breads will require varied baking times to achieve optimal crispness. Denser breads, like sourdough, may need a few extra minutes in the oven, while lighter, softer breads, such as white sandwich bread, will crisp up much faster. Keep a watchful eye to prevent burning and ensure an even golden-brown finish.
To Cube or to Tear: Shaping Your Croutons
The shape of your croutons is entirely a matter of personal preference and the aesthetic you’re aiming for. For a uniform and elegant presentation, particularly for refined soups or salads, cubing the bread into neat, consistent pieces works best. Aim for roughly ¾-inch cubes to ensure even toasting. Denser breads, like baguettes or ciabatta, are ideal for precise cubing, holding their shape well throughout the baking process.
Alternatively, for a more rustic and homey feel, simply tear the bread into irregular, bite-sized pieces. This method often works wonderfully with softer-textured breads, where clean cuts might be more challenging. The jagged edges created by tearing provide more surface area for butter and seasonings to cling to, often resulting in extra crispy bits. When it comes to the crusts, I personally love leaving them on French bread for an added layer of flavor and texture. However, if your bread has an exceptionally thick or tough crust that might become unpleasantly hard when toasted, feel free to trim it away. Trust your judgment here – the goal is a perfectly enjoyable crouton.
Beyond traditional cubes or tears, you can also slice bread about ¼-inch thick to create elegant crostini-style croutons. These larger, flatter pieces are fantastic with hearty soups, like a French Lentil Soup, or as a base for appetizers with various toppings. They offer a different textural experience, providing a broader canvas for flavor.
Mastering the Art of Seasoned Croutons: Flavor Beyond Basic
While a simple batch of buttery homemade croutons, seasoned with just sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, makes a delightful all-purpose accompaniment, the true magic begins when you start exploring a world of flavors. Homemade croutons are incredibly versatile, serving as a blank canvas for your culinary imagination. You can easily infuse them with almost any herbs or spices you desire, tailoring them to perfectly complement your specific dish. Don’t miss the fantastic savory and sweet seasoning variations outlined in the recipe notes below for endless inspiration!
The Unrivaled Excellence of Garlic Butter
There’s something inherently irresistible about artisan bread generously slathered with garlic butter, and garlic croutons capture that same essence, elevated with a warm, toasted flavor and an incredibly satisfying crunch. To achieve croutons that boast a deeply aromatic garlic profile without any harshness or bitterness, my preferred method involves steeping chopped garlic cloves in hot, melted butter (enriched with a touch of olive oil) for approximately 20 minutes. This gentle infusion allows the butter to absorb all the wonderful garlic essence without overcooking the garlic itself. After steeping, I strain out the garlic cloves, ensuring that only the rich, infused butter remains.
The reason for this careful steeping and straining is simple yet crucial: croutons are baked longer than, for instance, a slice of garlic bread. If small pieces of fresh garlic are left directly on the bread and baked for an extended period, they tend to overcook and char, resulting in an unpleasantly bitter taste. By straining the garlic, you get all the flavor without the risk of bitterness, guaranteeing perfectly balanced, delicious garlic croutons every time. If you’re pressed for time, a convenient alternative is to substitute fresh garlic with garlic powder. Simply stir a ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder into your melted butter mixture, adjusting to taste for a stronger garlic kick, and you can skip the steeping process entirely.
Beyond Garlic: Creative Flavor Combinations
The journey into seasoned croutons doesn’t stop at garlic. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to tailor your croutons to any dish or craving. Here are some expanded ideas:
- Herbaceous Delights: Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, or dill can transform your croutons. For fresh herbs, finely chop a tablespoon or two and stir them into the warm, infused butter just before tossing with the bread cubes. Dried herbs are equally effective; start with ½ teaspoon of your favorite blend (e.g., Italian seasoning, Herbs de Provence) and adjust to your preferred intensity. The warmth of the butter helps release their aromatic oils, creating deeply fragrant croutons.
- Spicy Kicks and Exotic Flavors: For those who love a bit of heat or an adventurous twist, spices are your best friend. A pinch of smoked paprika adds a wonderful depth and smoky note, perfect for chili or tomato-based soups. Chipotle powder brings a gentle, smoky heat, while a sprinkle of Za’atar can transport your taste buds to the Middle East, offering a unique blend of thyme, sumac, and sesame. Begin with a ¼ teaspoon of any spice and add more to taste, as potency varies greatly.
- Cheesy Indulgence: Few things are as universally loved as the addition of cheese. For Parmesan croutons, bake your bread cubes for about 10 minutes until they’re partially crisp, then sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Return them to the oven and continue baking until the croutons are golden brown and the cheese is melted and slightly crispy, forming a savory crust. Other hard cheeses like Pecorino Romano or even a sharp cheddar can also work beautifully.
- Sweet Surprises: Croutons aren’t just for savory dishes! Cinnamon-sugar croutons are a delightful treat. Omit the olive oil and use a full ¼ cup of melted unsalted butter. Toss the bread cubes thoroughly with the butter, then sprinkle generously with a mixture of 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 to 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, ensuring all sides are coated. Bake until golden and fragrant. These sweet croutons are incredible with fruit salads, yogurt parfaits, or even sprinkled over ice cream for a unique dessert topping.
Storing Homemade Croutons for Lasting Freshness
Proper storage is key to maintaining the delightful crispness of your homemade croutons. Once completely cooled to room temperature, store them in an airtight food storage container or a zip-top bag. On your countertop, they will retain their optimal crunch and flavor for up to three days. While you can extend their life slightly by storing them in the refrigerator for up to a week, be aware that the cooler, more humid environment of the fridge can sometimes diminish their crispness slightly, making them a little less firm.
For long-term storage, homemade croutons are an excellent candidate for freezing! I often prepare larger batches and freeze different varieties in freezer-safe storage bags, carefully labeling each with the date and flavor. They will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply spread the frozen croutons in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at a low temperature, around 250-275 degrees F (120-135 degrees C), for about 10 minutes. This gentle reheating process not only thaws them but also miraculously re-crisps them to their original glory, making them taste freshly baked.
The Irresistible Allure: A Test of Willpower
Homemade croutons are an undeniable upgrade to any meal, promising to take your soup and salad game to an entirely new level. This is especially true when served warm, straight from the oven.
However, be warned: there’s one significant challenge that comes with making these delectable morsels at home – a severe test of willpower! The intoxicating aroma of buttery, toasty bread, particularly when infused with garlic, is nothing short of craving-worthy. It’s the kind of scent that fills your home with warmth and delicious anticipation, potent enough to even rouse “My Little Toby” from his cherished afternoon nap when I last made a batch for this post.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself snacking on these crunchy delights as soon as they emerge from the oven. To avoid the disappointment of having too few for your actual meal, I strongly recommend planning to make a double batch. That way, you can indulge in a few warm, buttery samples without compromising your intended dish. You’ve been warned!
Perfect Pairings: Recipes to Serve with Homemade Croutons
Unlock the full potential of your homemade croutons by pairing them with these delightful recipes:
- Hearty Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Comforting Split Pea Soup with Ham
- Classic French Lentil Soup
- Vibrant Harvest Cobb Salad
- Crisp Classic Wedge Salad
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Homemade Croutons
Ingredients
Basic Croutons
- ½ loaf French bread (such as baguette or batard, about 8 ounces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt , plus additional for finishing (if desired)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly-ground or cracked black pepper
Garlic Croutons
- 2 large cloves garlic , chopped
Instructions
Basic Croutons
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175°C).
- Cut bread into ¾-inch cubes, carefully discarding any particularly tough or overly thick crusts. You should yield approximately 3 cups of bread cubes.
- In a small pot, combine the olive oil and butter, melting them together over medium heat. Stir in ¼ teaspoon each of kosher or sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper until well combined.
- Place the bread cubes onto a large baking sheet. Pour the melted butter mixture over the bread cubes and toss thoroughly to ensure every cube is evenly coated. Spread the coated cubes into a single, even layer on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, stir the cubes gently and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until they are dry, crisp, and a beautiful light golden brown. (Keep in mind that baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven and the type of bread used.)
- While the croutons are still hot from the oven, sprinkle with additional kosher or sea salt and pepper, if desired, to enhance their flavor. Allow them to cool completely to room temperature before storing. Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month for longer preservation.
Garlic Croutons
- To make garlic croutons, add the chopped garlic cloves to the seasoned melted butter and olive oil mixture in the small pot. Gently simmer for about 1 minute, just until the garlic becomes wonderfully fragrant but importantly, not brown. Remove the pot from the heat and allow the mixture to cool and steep for approximately 20 minutes. This allows the garlic flavor to deeply infuse into the butter without burning the garlic pieces during baking.
- After steeping, strain the garlic-infused butter/oil mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, pressing firmly on the garlic pieces with the back of a spoon to extract all the flavorful liquids. Discard the strained garlic cloves, and then proceed with the recipe for basic croutons as written (Step 3 onwards), using your now garlic-infused butter.
- Short on time but still craving garlic? As an alternative, you can substitute the fresh chopped garlic with ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder. Simply stir the garlic powder directly into the melted butter and olive oil mixture. No steeping time is required with garlic powder; you can immediately proceed with tossing the bread cubes. Feel free to add additional garlic powder to taste if you prefer a more intense garlic flavor.
Notes
Exciting Seasoned Crouton Variations:
- Fresh Herb Croutons: Elevate your croutons with the bright flavors of fresh herbs. After steeping and straining the garlic (if using), stir in a tablespoon or two of finely chopped fresh herbs like thyme, basil, parsley, or dill into the warm butter mixture. Toss immediately with bread cubes and bake as directed for a burst of garden-fresh aroma.
- Dried Herb Croutons: Dried herbs offer concentrated flavor and are a pantry staple. Begin by stirring ½ teaspoon of your preferred dried herbs – such as Italian seasoning, oregano, or Herbs de Provence – directly into the warm butter mixture. Adjust the quantity to taste, keeping in mind that dried herbs are more potent than fresh ones.
- Spiced Croutons: Add an intriguing twist with spices! Experiment by stirring a ¼ teaspoon of smoked paprika, a dash of chipotle powder for a subtle kick, or the unique blend of Za’atar into the melted butter. Start with a small amount and increase to achieve your desired flavor intensity, perfect for complementing various cuisines.
- Parmesan Croutons: For a cheesy delight, bake your croutons for approximately 10 minutes until they begin to crisp. Then, generously sprinkle them with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Continue baking until the croutons are golden brown and the Parmesan is melted, slightly crisp, and fragrant.
- Cinnamon-Sugar Croutons: Create a sweet treat by omitting the olive oil and using a full ¼ cup of melted unsalted butter. After tossing the bread cubes with the butter, sprinkle all sides generously with a mixture of 2 tablespoons granulated sugar combined with 1 to 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon (adjusted to your taste). Bake until golden and wonderfully aromatic.
Nutrition Estimate
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Please note that our recipes have been developed using the US Customary measurement system and have not been tested for high altitude/elevation cooking and baking.
Originally published October 6, 2017. Updated with in 2018 with new tips and photos!