Homemade croutons are a breeze with this simple and delicious recipe. Perfect for day-old bread, sourdough bread, or French bread! We use einkorn bread, but you can use whatever you'd like alongside this flavorful blend of herbs and spices. These croutons are sure to elevate your salads, soups, and more!
I've always loved a good crouton. The rich seasoning, that crunchy texture... and so when we switched to eating as much of our food from scratch as possible, that meant I needed to start making my own homemade croutons!
Thankfully, it's a very simple process and it's now the fate of all my leftover einkorn sandwich bread slices!
The Secret to the Best Homemade Croutons
We've been making homemade croutons for a long time and there are a few tricks to getting them just right. Here are my top three secrets for creating exceptional homemade croutons:
- Quality Bread: Start with high-quality bread, preferably day-old or slightly stale, as it will absorb the flavors and hold its shape better during baking. Opt for artisanal or crusty bread for added texture.
- Uniform Cubes: Cut the bread into uniform cubes to ensure even baking. This allows for consistent texture and crunchiness throughout the batch.
- Tossing Technique: When tossing the bread cubes with the coating mixture, use a gentle tossing motion to evenly distribute the flavors without crushing the cubes. This helps maintain their shape and texture.
Using these expert tips will allow you to create homemade croutons that are bursting with flavor, perfectly textured, and visually appealing! Plus, you'll get to enjoy the satisfaction of making croutons that surpass store-bought versions!
Ingredients
Here's a quick look at the ingredients needed to make your own homemade croutons. As always, the exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.
- Bread: We use our favorite einkorn sandwich bread to create croutons. However, you can also use sourdough, whole wheat, or French bread.
- Butter: Melted butter coats the bread cubes, adding richness and flavor. Substitution: Plant-based butter for a dairy-free version.
- Rosemary: Fragrant herb that adds earthy and piney notes to the croutons.
- Sage: Herb with a savory and slightly peppery taste, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Garlic: Provides a pungent and aromatic taste to the croutons. You can also use fresh garlic instead of powder.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors and adds necessary seasoning to the croutons.
- Pepper: Adds a hint of spiciness and complements the other flavors.
How to Make Croutons
These summarized steps provide an easy-to-follow overview of the crouton-making process. Enjoy creating your homemade croutons!
- Preheat: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking trays.
- Combine: Combine bread cubes, melted butter, herbs, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Gently mix until the bread is well-coated.
- Spread: Spread the coated bread cubes in a single layer on the baking trays.
- Bake: Bake for 20 minutes, rotate trays, and bake for another 10 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Cool: Allow the croutons to cool completely.
- Store: Store the cooled croutons in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Best Ways to Use Homemade Croutons
Homemade croutons are versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. Here are a few serving suggestions:
- Autumn Harvest Salad: Add a delightful crunch to a seasonal salad by sprinkling croutons on top of the crisp lettuce, chopped turkey, dried cranberries, diced apples, and honey mustard dressing.
- Creamy Tomato Soup: Float a handful of croutons on a bowl of creamy tomato soup for a wonderful contrast of textures and flavors.
- Panzanella Salad: Create a rustic panzanella salad by tossing croutons with juicy tomatoes, cucumber, fresh herbs, and a tangy vinaigrette for a delightful summery dish.
- Stuffed Chicken Breast: Incorporate croutons in the stuffing mixture for chicken breasts, adding a crunchy element to the flavorful filling.
- Garnish for Butternut Squash Soup: Sprinkle croutons over a velvety butternut squash soup to provide a satisfying crunch and elevate the presentation.
- Pasta Salad: Toss croutons with cooked pasta, vegetables, and a zesty dressing for a tasty and textural twist to your pasta salad.
- Crunchy Topping for Casseroles: Sprinkle croutons on top of baked casseroles, such as mac and cheese or green bean casserole, for an irresistible crunchy topping.
From salads to soups and beyond, homemade croutons help to add crunch, flavor, and visual appeal to your favorite dishes. Get creative and enjoy the possibilities!
Common Questions
While this recipe calls for sandwich bread, you can experiment with different bread varieties. Sourdough, whole wheat, or French bread are excellent alternatives that can add unique flavors and textures to your croutons.
To maintain crunchiness, ensure that the croutons are thoroughly dried before baking, use the right amount of fat or oil for coating, and bake them until they are golden brown and crisp. Proper storage in an airtight container also helps retain their crunchiness.
There are a few reasons why croutons may not turn out crispy. It could be due to inadequate drying before baking, overcrowding the baking trays, not baking them long enough, or using too much moisture in the coating. Adjusting these factors can help achieve crispiness.
Yes, homemade croutons can be frozen for longer storage. Ensure they are fully cooled before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen croutons can be thawed at room temperature or quickly crisped up in the oven for a few minutes before use.
Absolutely! Feel free to adjust the herbs and spices according to your preferences. You can experiment with different combinations such as thyme, oregano, or paprika to create your own signature crouton blend.
Even More Pantry Staples
Ready to fill your pantry and fridge shelves with homemade spices, condiments, and more? I've got you covered! Here are a few of our favorites!
Homemade Croutons (einkorn friendly)
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of bread, cubed to the desired size (here's our favorite einkorn bread recipe for croutons)
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 2 tsp rosemary
- 2 tsp sage
- 2 tsp garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking trays with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the cubed einkorn bread, melted butter, rosemary, sage, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the bread cubes are evenly coated with the herb-infused butter.
- Spread the coated bread cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking trays.
- Place the trays in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, rotate the trays to ensure even baking.
- Toss the croutons gently to promote even toasting, and continue baking for another 10 minutes or until the croutons turn golden brown and crisp.
- Once the croutons are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely.
- Store the cooled croutons in an airtight container for immediate use or long-term storage. These delicious croutons can be kept fresh for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
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