Easy Homemade Croutons with Stale Bread

This easy homemade croutons recipe is perfect for soups and crispy salads! This simple recipe is the best way to make a batch of homemade croutons.

There is no need to buy store-bought croutons anymore. Nope.

Sorry, crouton companies, but the best croutons are so easy to make that you should make them yourself.

I may say that because I’ve become the girl who pickles things – hello, pickled jalapeños and pickled blueberries. But I’m okay with that; it’s become something I’m proud of.

I love buying pretzel buns and breadsticks at the store and turning them into my own homemade croutons.

They are an easy way to add great flavor to soups and salads. And these croutons are so good I have eaten them on their own.

But enough about that – let’s talk about making them.

Homemade Croutons Recipe

If this is the first time you are making food from scratch, making your own croutons is a great way to start. 

I usually start with stale bread, but you can use fresh bread if you want to get started NOW; any kind of bread will work.

I mainly use soft breads, but for extra crunchy homemade croutons, I use a crusty loaf of bread. 

The croutons in the photos were made with pretzel breadsticks, but you can use these great options:

• sourdough bread
• sandwich bread
• whole wheat bread
• ​gluten-free bread
• ​challah bread
• your favorite bread (mine is pretzel)

Crunchy Croutons Variations

Any of these variations will result in flavorful homemade croutons.

Garlic Croutons

To infuse your croutons with a robust garlic flavor, consider using fresh garlic or garlic salt.

For fresh garlic, finely mince a clove or two and add it to the bread cubes when you include the dry ingredients. The oven’s heat will mellow the garlic’s pungency while imparting a delightful aroma.

If you prefer garlic salt, sprinkle it lightly over the bread cubes before baking. The result will be crispy, baked croutons with a subtle, savory garlic kick.

Parmesan Croutons

Elevate your croutons with the rich, nutty taste of Parmesan cheese.

After tossing the bread cubes with olive oil and your choice of seasonings, generously sprinkle grated Parmesan over them.

As the croutons bake, the cheese will melt and become crispy, creating Parmesan croutons with a delightful cheesy crunch.

Onion Croutons

For an onion-infused twist, reach for onion powder.

Sprinkle a moderate amount of onion powder over the bread cubes before baking, ensuring even distribution.

The result will be croutons with a mild, savory onion flavor that pairs beautifully with salads, soups, and more.

Herbed Croutons

Finely chop a blend of fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, parsley, or basil.

Toss the bread cubes with the herbs, olive oil, and seasonings.

As they bake, the herbs will infuse the croutons with their aromatic essence, resulting in herbed croutons that are a fragrant and flavorful addition to your dishes.

How to Make This Homemade Crouton Recipe

Start with leftover bread. Take a serrated knife and slice bread into pieces around the same size. If you are short on time, torn bread will work well too. 

I recommend cutting the stale bread into pieces that are 1-inch cubes.

Add the bread to a large bowl and pour in the olive oil. Mix the oil, making sure the olive oil soaks all of the bread chunks. 

Then, throw in the dry ingredients, mixing everything together.

Spread the coated bread pieces in a single layer on a foil or parchment paper-lined sheet pan. Put the pan in the oven and bake until the croutons are golden brown.

That’s it. So. Darn. Easy.

Who doesn’t want to top soup with croutons? Or a Caesar salad?

Storing Leftover Croutons

Store your croutons in an airtight container, and they should stay fresh for a few weeks at room temperature.

You’ll eat them so often I doubt they will last that long. And then you’ll have an excuse to make croutons again!

Using Homemade Croutons

Green Salads

Toss homemade croutons into your green salads to add a satisfying crunch. They are the perfect way to add textural contrast to the leafy greens and other salad ingredients.

Whether it’s a classic Caesar salad, a garden salad, or a caprese salad, croutons can elevate your salad game.

Tomato Soup

Float a handful of homemade croutons on top of a bowl of hot tomato soup. They’ll absorb some of the soup’s flavors and soften slightly, combining textures and tastes.

Tomato soup with croutons is a classic and comforting duo. Try them with my roasted garlic tomato soup or this sweet corn yellow tomato soup.

Panzanella Salad

Panzanella is an Italian salad with stale bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. Homemade croutons are perfect for this dish. They soak up the juices from the ripe tomatoes and the vinaigrette, making every bite flavorful.

Caesar Salad

A Caesar salad is only complete with croutons. They add a bit of crunch to creamy Caesar dressing.

Casseroles

Croutons can serve as a crunchy topping for various casseroles, such as macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, or baked pasta dishes. They add contrast to the creamy or cheesy interior of the dish.

Vegetable Sides

Sprinkle homemade croutons over roasted or steamed vegetables to give them an extra layer of texture and flavor. The croutons can absorb the natural juices and seasoning from the vegetables, enhancing their taste.

Breakfast Dishes

Don’t limit croutons to savory dishes. Try using them as a topping for breakfast casseroles, quiches, or scrambled eggs. They can provide a unique crunch and flavor to your morning meal. 

Charcuterie and Cheese Boards

A good crouton can be the best part of charcuterie and cheese boards. They offer a crunchy element that pairs well with various kinds of cheese, cured meats, and spreads.

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