Homemade Croutons

Homemade croutons make your salads and soups a taste tantalizing experience. Once you taste these fresh croutons, you will never go back to those store-bought croutons again. These beautiful, crispy homemade croutons are amazing on Italian Chopped Salad with Fresh Italian Dressing and Spinach Salad with Warm Honey Mustard Vinaigrette  Make a double batch and freeze them for later use.

What kind of bread is best for Homemade Croutons?

My personal favorite bread for homemade croutons is a big fat loaf of Italian bread because there is far more bread than crust.  French bread is a close second and of course, any baguette will work as well. Use a good sharp knife for uniform croutons. For rustic croutons, just pull rough pieces of bread from the loaf.

Does the bread need to be stale for Homemade Croutons?

Absolutely not.  You can use fresh bread but you will need to cook it a little longer to brown and get it crunchy all the way through.  When you check on the croutons, simply pull one out, let it cool just a bit and then taste test it to see if it is crunchy all the way through.

That being said, don’t throw out that stale baguette.  It is perfect for homemade croutons and will crunch up quickly in your oven. Cubing it will be easier than a fresh loaf as it will not crush under a knife.

How to make Easy Homemade Croutons.

You will not believe how easy this is.  First using a sharp knife, remove the crusts from your bread. Then cut or tear your bread into bite-size croutons.  Then combine your olive oil, dried parsley, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a large bowl.  Add the bread croutons to the bowl and stir gently to coat.  I find it easier to do it with my hand.

Bake until lightly browned and crunchy. Turn the fresh croutons halfway through the baking process.  If using fresh bread it will take several more minutes to get crunchy.  Best way to tell if they are ready is to taste test.  The fresh croutons should be crunchy all the way through.

These fresh homemade croutons are perfect for just about any mixed green salad. Try them with our Strawberry Spinach salad, fresh Christmas salad, or a classic Chicken Caesar salad.

Helpful hints on making these the Best Homemade Croutons ever.

• Use good quality bakery-style bread.  It really does make a difference.
• If desired leave the crusts on the bread.
• Use cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. Melted real dairy butter may be substituted.
• If you don’t like one of the spice ingredients listed, eliminate it.
• Make sure you preheat your oven and load the croutons in the middle of the oven if at all possible.
• Use a silicone baking mat or parchment paper under the croutons on the cookie sheet.
• Do not overcrowd the baking sheet with the croutons.  The heat needs to be able to move around the bread to dry it out and make it crunchy.
• Turn the croutons halfway through the baking process.
• For a change add 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
• If you like things with a little kick add 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper.

Other bread and roll recipes you will love!

• Triple Cheese Garlic Bread
• Easy Sweet Maple Dinner Rolls
• Best Cornbread Recipe

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