Easy Homemade Garlic Croutons
Who needs store-bought croutons when you can make these perfectly delicious homemade garlic croutons? With just a few simple ingredients and less than an hour, you’ll have crispy, flavorful croutons that’ll take your salads to the next level.
These homemade croutons are easier to make than you might think, and they use items you probably already have in your pantry. The Italian seasoning and garlic powder add an aromatic flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance.
If you’re on the hunt for more salad recipes to pair with these delicious croutons, I have a few more you might want to try out. Our Panera Fuji Apple Salad & Dressing Copycat Recipe is a fan favorite that would be perfect with these croutons. For a refreshing summer option, try the Fourth of July Watermelon Blueberry Salad.
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- They’re incredibly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients
- You can customize the flavors to suit your taste preferences
- Homemade croutons are fresher and more flavorful than store-bought options
- They’re a great way to use up stale or leftover bread, reducing food waste
Recipe Ingredients
- Sourdough Bread: This bread provides a tangy flavor and sturdy texture that holds up well when toasted. Its natural fermentation also makes it easier for some people to digest.
- Unsalted Butter: Butter adds richness and helps the seasonings stick to the bread. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt content of your croutons.
- Italian Seasoning: This herb blend typically includes basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, adding Mediterranean flavor to your croutons.
- Garlic Powder: This adds a savory, garlicky flavor without the risk of burning that comes with fresh garlic. It also distributes more evenly than fresh garlic.
- Salt and Pepper: These essential seasonings enhance all the other flavors in the recipe.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Additions
- Bread Choice: While sourdough is recommended, you can use any sturdy bread, such as French bread, ciabatta, or whole wheat, for different flavors and textures.
- Oil Instead of Butter: For a dairy-free option or different flavor profile, you can use olive or another vegetable oil instead of butter.
- Fresh Herbs: For an even more vibrant flavor, substitute dried herbs with fresh ones. Use about three times the amount of fresh herbs compared to dried ones.
- Cheese Addition: Sprinkle some grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast over the croutons before baking for a cheesy twist.
- Spice it Up: Add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
How to Make Homemade Garlic Croutons (step-by-step directions)
- Start by preheating your oven to 300°F (150°C). This low temperature allows the croutons to dry out and become crispy without burning.
- Take your sourdough bread and cut it into roughly ¾-inch cubes. Don’t worry about being too precise – a little variation adds character! (Photo 1)
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. To do this evenly, cut the stick into 4 pieces before microwaving for about 1 minute. (Photo 2)
- Once melted, stir the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the butter until well combined. (Photo 3)
- Place your bread cubes in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the seasoned butter over the bread, carefully distributing it evenly. (Photo 4)
- Gently toss the bread cubes with your hands or a rubber spatula until they’re lightly coated with the butter mixture. (Photo 5)
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer. (Photo 6)
- Bake for about 45 minutes or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy. Let them cool before serving or storing. (Photo 7)
Recipe Tips
- Use stale bread if you have it – it’s a great way to reduce food waste, and the drier bread will crisp up nicely.
- Try to cut your bread cubes roughly the same size for even cooking.
- If using salted butter, reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe.
- Tossing the bread cubes with your hands (wearing a glove if you prefer) is the gentlest method and ensures even coating without breaking up the bread.
- Don’t worry if the coating isn’t perfectly even – it will all come together beautifully once baked.
- For extra crispy croutons, leave them in the turned-off oven after baking until the oven cools completely.
Storing Tips
Once your croutons have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh and crispy for up to a week. If they lose their crunch, refresh them in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes. While homemade croutons can be frozen, they may lose some crispy texture upon thawing. If you freeze them, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and refresh in the oven before using.
Serving Suggestions
These garlic croutons are incredibly versatile! They’re perfect on top of a Classic Macaroni Hawaiian Salad for added crunch. Try them as a topping for creamy soups like our Broccoli Cheese Soup or Creamy Wild Rice Mushroom Soup. You can also use them to add texture to casseroles or crush them up as a crispy chicken or fish coating.
For a quick and easy appetizer, serve these croutons alongside our Copycat Chipotle Guacamole or Easy Eggplant Salsa Dip.
Recipe FAQs
While fresh garlic adds great flavor, it can burn easily during the long baking time. If you prefer fresh garlic, add it to the melted butter and let it infuse for a few minutes before tossing with the bread.
Overly hard croutons usually result from baking at too high a temperature or too long. Next time, try reducing the baking time or temperature slightly.
Absolutely! You can substitute the sourdough bread with your favorite gluten-free bread. However, gluten-free breads may toast faster, so keep an eye on them while baking.
You can reduce the amount of butter used or substitute it with a light coating of olive oil spray. However, this may affect the flavor and texture of the final product.
Yes, you can easily double or even triple this recipe. Make sure to use a larger baking sheet or multiple sheets so the croutons are in a single layer while baking.
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Easy Homemade Garlic Croutons
Ingredients
- 24- Ounce (680 ⅖ g) Loaf of Sourdough Bread
- 1 Stick Unsalted Butter ½ cup
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 300°F (150°C). This low temperature allows the croutons to dry out and become crispy without burning.
- Take your sourdough bread and cut it into roughly ¾-inch cubes. Don’t worry about being too precise – a little variation adds character!24- Ounce Loaf of Sourdough Bread
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. To do this evenly, cut the stick into 4 pieces before microwaving for about 1 minute.1 Stick Unsalted Butter
- Once melted, stir the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the butter until well combined.1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning,2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder,1 Teaspoon Salt,1 Teaspoon Pepper
- Place your bread cubes in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the seasoned butter over the bread, carefully distributing it evenly.
- Gently toss the bread cubes with your hands or a rubber spatula until they’re lightly coated with the butter mixture.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer.
- Bake for about 45 minutes or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy. Let them cool before serving or storing.
Notes
- Use stale bread if you have it – it’s a great way to reduce food waste, and the drier bread will crisp up nicely.
- Try to cut your bread cubes roughly the same size for even cooking.
- If using salted butter, reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe.
- Tossing the bread cubes with your hands (wearing a glove if you prefer) is the gentlest method and ensures even coating without breaking up the bread.
- Don’t worry if the coating isn’t perfectly even – it will all come together beautifully once baked.
- For extra crispy croutons, leave them in the turned-off oven after baking until the oven cools completely.
Nutrition Information
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