These Easy Homemade Croutons are perfectly seasoned and buttery croutons that will take your next salad to a new level! So easy to make in just 15 minutes!
These croutons are perfect on Caesar Salad, Roasted Tomato Soup or my Instant Pot Corn Chowder.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
The salad season is coming and what better way to jazz up a salad than with homemade, buttery croutons that taste just like from the restaurant! This recipe requires only 4 ingredients and makes the best crispy croutons ever. Using melted butter and seasoning (that you can easily customize) is the best combo.
I like to use a baguette to make croutons (the crust gives them a rustic look) but Italian or French bread, or even sliced white bread works. If it's stale, that's even better. The croutons will be extra crispy!
I like to make homemade versions of my most used pantry staples. The croutons join the club along with homemade bread crumbs, cornbread mix, homemade seasonings and salad dressings. They are all made with simple ingredients!
Ingredients:
- bread: I used a baguette but any bread works;
- butter: the secret to buttery but crispy croutons;
- seasoning: garlic powder, Italian seasoning.
How to make croutons?
- Start by slicing baguette into cubes.
- Mix melted butter with seasoning.
- Toss bread with seasoned butter. Spread in one even layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 375 degrees F for no longer than 10 minutes.
Recipe FAQs:
Absolutely! Set the air fryer to 350 degrees F and air fry for 4 minutes. Check if they are crispy and add one more minute of air frying, if needed.
You can store the croutons for up to 2 weeks in a sealed container. I use a deep square Tupperware container with lid.
If the croutons are not crispy, that means the bread was too fresh and too soft. Try leaving the bread on the counter overnight to dry, then use it to make croutons.
Any bread works! I like using a baguette but French or Italian bread works too. Use thick sandwich bread whether it's plain or whole wheat.
How to serve croutons?
Soups and salads come to mind first! I like to have them on hand and serve with my perfect Caesar salad, mushroom soup, roasted tomato soup or creamy carrot soup. You can also use them to make homemade stuffing for the holiday dinners!
More homemade pantry staples:
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Easy Homemade Croutons recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed baguette
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt skip if using salted butter
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1.5 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Slice baguette into cubes.
- In a small bowl, whisk melted butter with seasoning.
- Toss bread cubes with seasoned butter.
- Spread evenly on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Serve immediately or cool completely and store in sealed container for up to 2 weeks.
Christel says
Simply delicious - savoury, buttery & crunch!y! Thank you for sharing.
Grammasue says
Hi, Anna. Your croutons look scrumptious! I make them all the time but I use peanut oil and garlic. I want to try your method of using butter, instead. I think they will taste better with butter. I do salt mine after I remove from the oven to cool tho. I do mine in my convection oven on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and can make 3 zip-lock (sand size) bags and I freeze them for up to 3 months. Works perfectly for us, so when I need some for us or for when I make a big salad for company, they just need to be thawed. However, sometimes my family eats them before dinner is served LoL! All good, I can just get another bag thawed quickly. Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipe and I can't wait to try it using the butter!!!
Anna says
Thank you so much, Grammasue! I love the idea of freezing the croutons and having them on hand when needed. Perfect!
Tina says
These are the best homemade croutons! I have made others from Pinterest, and these are the best. Simple to make and loved by all!
Thank you Anna 👍
Anna says
Yay! Thank you so much, Tina!
Ludi says
Can do this process in a sweet taste like cinnamon sugar and butter?
Sheri says
Oh my! I woke up and wanted to make my favorite breakfast casserole. It calls for croutons as the bottom layer. I had none. Found your easy recipe, made them, made the casserole. Delicious! Thank you for posting, don’t think I’ll ever buy croutons again!
Anna says
Yay! I am so glad! Thank you so much, Sheri!
Paula says
Had to make room in the freezer so thought I’d make croutons with some frozen brioche rolls. Oh my... these were so easy to put together and my kitchen smelled incredible. I couldn’t stop eating them!! My family followed the aroma into the room, tried them, and loved them as well. I only hope there’s some left for our salad! Great recipe!! Thanks for sharing 😋
Anna says
Hi Paula! That's fantastic! I am so glad you enjoyed the croutons. I love that you used brioche rolls. Thank you for trying my recipe!
Leisha says
My house smells amazing right now! They’re still in the oven but I’ve made before and they’re fantastic. I wouldn’t have thought of the Italian seasoning but it adds a nice definition of flavor. Perfect for my leftover stale baguette. Thanks for sharing!
Anna says
Thank you so much, Leisha! I am so glad you love them!
Patricia says
Bless you Anna! OMG!!!!!!!! I am in absolute heaven! These are the perfect, garlicy, buttery crouton! I am having some on the Caesar Salad that I've made to pair with tortellini and pesto. I must be living right. After years of searching last night I finally found the perfect Caesar dressing. Then right afterward I found these. These are the absolutely PERFECT crouton!
Thank you so much!
Anna says
Hi Patricia! Yay! That is wonderful! I am so glad you like the croutons. Aren't they just the best? Especially with the Caesar salad. Thank you so much for trying my recipe and for the comment!
Doris says
I made these with Original Smart Balance because I am lactose intolerant and can't use butter. I also used Italian bread cubes. They came out great but I will reduce or leave off the pepper next time. Husband will like the pepper though 😀!
Jocelyn says
Homemade croutons are the best on soups and salads! My family gobbled these up so quickly!!
Kristyn says
Homemade croutons are the best! I love how crunchy & tasty these look! I can't have a salad without them!
Kimberly says
This recipe's a keeper, using baguette creates the perfect texture!
Anna says
Exactly! They are the best!
Steph says
Homemade croutons are the best! I can't believe how easy they were to make and they are a 1,000 times better than the stuff you buy in the store.
Anna says
Thank you so much, Steph!
Aimee Shugarman says
These are delicious. Paired them with our caesar salad last night.
Anna says
Awesome! Thanks, Aimee!