Homemade Croutons
Transform your leftover bread into golden, crunchy, and perfectly seasoned croutons that elevate any salad or soup.
Ingredients
- •4 cups sourdough or rustic white bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- •1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- •1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- •1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- •1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2
Place the bread cubes in a large mixing bowl.
- 3
Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the bread cubes and toss gently until every piece is lightly coated.
- 4
In a small bowl, mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried herbs together, then sprinkle the seasoning over the bread.
- 5
Toss the bread again to ensure the seasonings are distributed evenly across all surfaces.
- 6
Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- 7
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the croutons are deep golden brown and completely crisp to the touch.
- 8
Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or storing.
💡 Chef tips
- Use bread that is a day or two old; slightly stale bread creates a better texture and dries out faster in the oven.
- Store cooled croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or freeze them for up to a month.
- If you prefer a richer flavor, you can substitute the olive oil with melted margarine to keep the recipe pareve.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished croutons should be uniformly golden-brown, exceptionally crunchy, and fragrant with the savory aroma of toasted garlic and herbs.