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Make crispy Homemade Croutons with only a few ingredients. They’re perfect for topping all of your salads and soups!

Homemade Croutons are so easy to make at home, you’ll never buy store-bought again! Whenever I have leftover French Bread, I’ll whip these up to use with Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing, or to sprinkle on top of my Tomato Basil Soup.

Homemade croutons served in a white bowl.
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homemade is better

Homemade Croutons are just 100% better than store-bought ones. They always turn out thicker and crunchier and just flat out taste better!

I cannot eat a savory salad without croutons, especially Caesar Salad, or really any green salad recipes! Soup is also delicious with these crunchy bites sprinkled on top!

This recipe is so simple, even my kids can help make it! It’s great for leftover bread that is almost going stale. No waste! It’s a win-win situation.

You’re going to LOVE this homemade crouton recipe. You’ll never go back to store-bought croutons again./

Bread cubes covered with oil and seasonings to make homemade  croutons.

how to make croutons

It doesn’t really matter what kind of bread you useโ€”any stale bread you have in your home will work! You can also just buy or make a loaf of French Bread.

PREP. Preheat oven to 375ยฐF.

COAT. In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients (melted butter, olive oil, seasoning, garlic salt, and pepper). Add bread pieces and toss to evenly coat.

BAKE. Spread the bread cubes onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in a single layer.

Bake for 10 minutes, turn to cook the other side and bake an additional 8-10 minutes. Turn on HIGH and broil for the last minute, being careful to watch and make sure they do not burn.

Enjoy these Best Homemade Croutons with any salad of your choice.

NOTE: This recipe makes about 4 cups.

Air Fryer Directions

Prepare the bread crumbs as directed, but toast them in the air fryer. 

  • Set the air fryer temp to 390/400ยฐF and fry for 5-7 minutes or until toasted and golden brown. 
  • Flip the croutons about halfway through. 

Recipe Tips

Bread. In my opinion, the best bread for croutons is a crusty loaf.

I used French bread for the croutons made in this recipe but sourdough bread, rye bread, or Italian bread are other great options. Cornbread, whole wheat bread, gluten-free bread, or even thicker sandwich bread will also work. 

  • Ideally, the bread should be slightly stale. If starting with a fresh loaf, cut the cubes and leave them uncovered on the counter for a few hours to dry them out a bit. 
  • Use a bread knife to cut uniform cubes, or tear the bread just to be sure all the pieces are equal in size so that they bake at the same rate.
  • Keep in mind that the baking time may vary according to the type of bread, the size of the cubes, or the staleness. 

Flavor Variations.

  • Italian Seasoning is an herb blend of basil, oregano, rosemary, marjoram, and thyme. Increase any of those flavors to your liking or omit the Italian seasoning altogether. 
  • Add cheese such as parmesan cheese. Sprinkle it on during the last 10 minutes of baking time. 
  • Spice it up with paprika, red pepper flakes, or chipotle powder, or go simple with just a bit of salt and pepper.
Crispy homemade croutons on a baking sheet.

How to Store

STORE. To keep them crunchy, the best way to store Salad Croutons is in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week.

They can be stored in the fridge but it tends to cause them to soften. To crisp up softened croutons, spread them on a baking sheet and place them back in the oven for a few minutes.

FREEZE. Put Homemade Croutons in a plastic freezer bag, and keep them in the freezer for several weeks.

To use, put the frozen croutons directly onto a baking sheet and heat at 250ยฐF until they are totally thawed and crispy again.

Homemade Croutons served in a white bowl next to a salad.

Recipe FAQ

How do you make sure your croutons are crispy?

Make sure they’re spread out evenly in a single layer when baking so they crispy evenly and don’t steam because they’re too close together.

What’s the best way to keep croutons fresh?

If you don’t want to have to re-crisp the croutons in the oven, just keep them in an airtight container at room temp for up to a week.

Some favorite Salads with Croutons:

5 from 7 votes

Homemade Croutons Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Make crispy Homemade Croutons with only a few ingredients. They're perfect for topping all of your salads and soups!
Servings: 4
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt with parsley flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 loaf French bread cut into 3/4 inch cubes

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375ยฐF.
  • In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients (butter, olive oil, seasoning, garlic salt, and pepper). Add bread pieces and toss to evenly coat.
  • Spread the bread cubes onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer.
  • Bake for 10 minutes, then turn to cook the other side and bake an additional 8-10 minutes. Turn on HIGH and broil for the last minute, being careful to watch and make sure they do not burn.
  • Enjoy them with any salad of your choice. This recipe makes about 4 cups.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 335kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 23mg, Sodium: 951mg, Potassium: 80mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 285IU, Vitamin C: 0.03mg, Calcium: 50mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

So Easy & So Yummy

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5 from 7 votes

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Recipe Rating




8 Comments

  1. Jennifer says:

    5 stars
    So good and so easy. For a fun change we have also used pumpernickel bread. Definitely a frequently used and memorized recipe that I should have rated long ago. Always a hit with guests.

  2. Misty says:

    5 stars
    i love croutons on my salad. Having homemade croutons is even better!! YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY!

  3. Heather Luckhurst says:

    These look so yummy! I love that they have parsley in them! Yum!

  4. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    So easy to make your own croutons and they taste so much better! Cant go wrong with your own version of homemade.

  5. Amy L Huntley says:

    5 stars
    I am so happy you shared this recipe! I dislike throwing away stale bread and now I don’t have to!!

  6. Kristi says:

    5 stars
    I have to gave croutons on my saLad as well and thIs is a Great way to use up my staLe SANDWICH bread.

  7. Joy says:

    5 stars
    I have to have croutons on my salad! I love the crunch! I am excited to make my own. Homemade is always better than store bought!

  8. Becca says:

    5 stars
    Can’t believe how easy it is!