Easy Homemade Croutons
These easy homemade croutons are the perfect way to use up crusty bread. Tossed with olive oil and simple seasoning, then baked until golden and crunchy. Ready in 20 minutes and great for salads, soups, or snacking.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf or round crusty bread, cubed (¾-inch)
- 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil use good quality olive oil for the best flavor
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of any other seasoning you like: Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, sage, rosemary, etc.
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- Freshly ground pepper to taste.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cut 1 loaf or a round of crusty bread into ¾ inch cubes.
- In a large bowl, drizzle the olive oil over the bread cubes. Add garlic powder, seasonings of your choice, salt, and pepper over the cubes. Toss gently until well combined.
- Spread seasoned cubes in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper (or lightly spray oil on the sheet).
- Place croutons in the oven and bake until golden, turning once halfway through cooking time. Cooking time varies so watch closely. (Mine usually takes 10–15 minutes, depending on bread density.)
- Remove from the oven, and let them cool completely.
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- A day-old baguette works great for extra crunchiness.
- Make sure every piece of bread is coated evenly with oil and seasoning.
- Make sure to spread the croutons in a single layer, so they bake evenly
- Let the croutons cool fully on the baking sheet for maximum crispness.
Nutrition
Calories: 2786kcal | Carbohydrates: 239g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 188g | Saturated Fat: 91g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 31g | Monounsaturated Fat: 58g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2846mg | Potassium: 1023mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 140g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 10mg
