It's actually so incredibly simple to make your own croutons, and they are WAY, WAY better than store bought. Store-bought croutons dry out easily, and not to mention they are pumped with preservatives to keep them in their crunchy state. Yuck!
If you've got some oil, a loaf of bread, and some of your favorite spices, you can make croutons exactly how you like them - and in whatever quantity you need!
Making croutons at home only takes about 20 minutes, and I'm telling you, they may not make it to your salad!
What's better than a fresh, crispy, garlicky crouton right out of the oven?
Not many things, that's what.
What kind of bread should I use for croutons?
The best kind of bread for croutons is a good crusty loaf. Either a homemade loaf that's a day or two old, or a store bought French baguette or loaf of sourdough (unsliced).
You honestly could use any good hearty bread for croutons, but you'll at least want to find one that has some nice air pockets inside - this helps the air circulate and create that perfect crisp bite.
What should I put on my croutons?
Essentially your going to cube the bread, pour a little oil and butter on it, spice it up, bake it, and call it a day! Super easy!
You'll need:
- the loaf of bread
- high-quality extra virgin olive oil
- salted cream butter
- spice blend (I use garlic salt, oregano, and herbs de provence!)
- kosher salt & fresh cracked black pepper
I like to heat all of my ingredients together in a small bowl in the microwave, or over low heat on the stove, and then pour the mixture over the cubed bread all at once rather than adding the seasonings after the oil. The hot butter and oil really helps the herbs and spices open up and become fragrant before you add it to the bread.
You'll want to use a sheet of parchment paper beneath your croutons when you add them to the cookie sheet, this will help regulate the temperature so they cook evenly. Spread them out into one even layer across a half-sheet.
You'd think that you'd want to roast the croutons so they get crispy, but you actually want to cook them at about 375° for about 10-15 minutes (stirring occasionally). Watch them carefully so they don't get crispier than you prefer!
Can I make croutons on the stove?
You can make croutons on the stove, although I prefer the oven method. If you'll be cooking yours on the stove, ensure to use a wide pan so they have room to breath and don't get soft or "steam".
You'll just want to heat all of the ingredients over medium-high heat until the oil and butter are hot, then add the bread in small batches, and toss until golden brown (about 10 minutes).
How about in a cast iron pan?
You can absolutely make croutons in a cast iron pan! This is actually a great way to do it if you'll be camping and need some crunch for your cook-out salad!
You'll just follow the directions mentioned above, just like you were using a standard pan. Since a cast iron is much better at controlling heat than other pans, you won't have to frequently toss the croutons quite as much. Just make sure your pan is not too hot!
What other types of spices can I add to my croutons?
- ranch seasoning
- chili and cumin for a roasted flavor (a personal favorite!)
- parmesan cheese shreds
- dried rosemary and sage for a rich-Italian flavor
- fresh thyme right when they come out of the oven
How to Store
Croutons can be stored for up to 2 weeks in an air tight container or plastic bag. They make great snacks, for when you just need a nibble!
Croutons can also be frozen for up to a month in a freezer bag. You'll just want to reheat them a bit at 300° until just crisp.
How to Use Homemade Croutons
Well, croutons go great on a ton of things! But obviously they are perfect with a good Chicken Caesar Salad.
They also go well with Italian table salads, used in your Thanksgiving turkey, crushed on top of baked chicken for some extra flavor, used as a crispy topping for a pasta dish, casserole, or roasted vegetable tray, or even just a casual snack!
Homemade Garlic Croutons
Ingredients
- Crusty Loaf of Bread Sourdough or Artisan Loaf
- 1 tablespoon Salted Cream Butter
- 2 tablespoon High-Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Salt
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Herbs de Provence
- Kosher Salt/Cracked Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°, and line a half cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Cube the loaf of bread, ensuring to cut similar sized cubes for even cooking.
- Heat the remaining ingredients in a small bowl in the microwave, or over low heat on the stove. Once at an even consistency, pour over the cubed bread.
- Toss to coat, using your hands to ensure you get every last cube of bread.
- Spread the cubes into one layer across the prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake at 375° for 10-15 minutes, stirring often.
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