Description
Learn how to make crispy and flavorful homemade croutons perfect for salads, soups, or snacks. This easy recipe combines crusty bread with a savory blend of olive oil, butter, and herbs baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Croutons
- 12-ounce (340g) loaf of crusty bread
- 1/3 cup (80ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons (43g) unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (191°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Prepare Bread Cubes: Tear or slice the crusty bread into small bite-size pieces, aiming for about 6 to 8 cups of bread cubes. Place them in a large mixing bowl to prepare for seasoning.
- Make Seasoning Mixture: In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the olive oil, unsalted butter, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the butter is fully melted and the mixture is well combined, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
- Coat Bread Cubes: Pour the warm seasoning mixture over the bread cubes in the bowl. Add the optional freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired. Toss thoroughly until every piece of bread is evenly coated with the flavorful mixture.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Spread the seasoned bread cubes out in a single, even layer on the prepared baking sheet to ensure uniform crisping and baking.
- Bake Croutons: Bake the bread cubes in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove the pan and stir the croutons to promote even browning, then return to the oven and bake for an additional 8 minutes until crisp and golden brown.
- Cool and Crisp: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Allow the croutons to cool completely for about 30 minutes; during this time, they will continue to crisp up nicely, ready to enjoy in your favorite dishes.
Notes
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread for best texture and absorption of seasoning.
- Feel free to customize the seasoning blend to your taste by adding other herbs such as thyme or rosemary.
- Store cooled croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- If you prefer dairy-free croutons, omit the butter and parmesan cheese and increase olive oil slightly.
- For extra crunch, consider a quick broil for 1-2 minutes after baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
