This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
These little things are so good they deserve a post all to themselves! Garlic and herb flavored crunchy bites of toasted bread can turn a simple salad or plain bowl of soup into something special. If you happen to have leftover bread laying around looking for a recipe to happen, give these Homemade Croutons a try. Easy and flavor packed they’re worth the 10 minutes it takes to make them! I bet you’ll never buy croutons from the grocery store again.
Cut the loaf of bread into similar size pieces, big or small, whatever makes you happy. If you cut your croutons into small pieces, watch the cooking time as this recipe was tested with 1-inch cubes. Gather together your favorite fresh or dried herbs, olive oil, salt and pepper, then preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
20 minutes in the oven and you’re done. The croutons will keep in an airtight container for up to a week. Adapt the recipe to fit the amount of bread you have on hand. Maybe you only need a few, no worries!
All they need now is a good creamy soup to swim around in. I love how they retain a good crunch and don’t wimp out quickly turning to mush.
Don’t forget to PIN!
Homemade Croutons
Ingredients
- 6 cups bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (I used a day old batard - similar to a baguette only shorter)
- 1/8 teaspoon good sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic (powder will work here too - if using garlic salt omit the sea salt above)
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning (basil oregano, rosemary and thyme) or your favorite herbs
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme leaves, rosemary or parsley
- 3 tablespoons good quality olive oil divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a small bowl combine the salt, garlic, Italian seasoning, pepper and fresh herbs. Stir to blend.
- Pour the bread cubes into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and toss the cubes to cover. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the seasonings and toss again to coat.
- Repeat by drizzling 1 tablespoon olive oil, then toss to coat and sprinkle with 1/3 of the seasonings tossing again to cover. Repeat one more time then spread the bread cubes on a large baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven. Remove the pan from the oven and toss or turn the croutons to help them toast evenly. Return the pan to the oven and bake another 10 minutes or until the croutons are light brown and crispy.
- Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for up to one week.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
Rakhee@boxofspice
I love love homemade croutons and I can bet you these would not last so as to be used in a soup or salad! Love how these look. Yummy! 🙂
Tricia Buice
I enjoyed these for a week – in both soup and salad – now I want more! Thanks for stopping by!
Muna Kenny
We’ll be having soups often now, since winter started, and these croutons are the perfect companion to my soups. I am thinking of making a big batch and freeze them.
Tricia Buice
I would be anxious to hear how they freeze! That’s a great idea – enjoy 😉
Diane (Created by Diane)
these would be devoured in minutes here, love these oh so much!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Diane!
Daniela
Nothing beats the taste of home made croutons and these look so good- perfectly golden browned and with that herb touch that makes all the difference. Thanks for sharing this, !Tricia
Tricia Buice
Thank you Daniela – happy travels!
John/Kitchen Riffs
Love homemade croutons! And they’re so easy to make — I never buy them anymore. And they make a wonderful snack, too. 🙂 Good stuff — thanks.
Tricia Buice
Thank you John – hope you’re staying warm 🙂
Susan
I love making homemade croutons for salad or soup! Usually it’s just olive oil and cracked pepper, sometimes some grated parm but I need to step up my game and add some herbs next time. Beautiful croutons!
Tricia Buice
Thank you Susan!
handmade by amalia
I have pumpkin soup on the stove, these would be perfect!
Amalia
xo
Tricia Buice
Pumpkin soup sounds wonderful Amalia! Stay warm 🙂
Wendy
These croutons are the icing on the cake for the beautiful soup recipes you have been sharing! I like having soup as dinner in the winter. Somehow, having croutons to crunch on makes the soup feel more like a meal. 🙂
Tricia Buice
Thank you Wendy! I guess you are enjoying cold weather too 🙂 Looks like we will need more soup this weekend with some snow heading our way. Have a great week and thanks so much for stopping by!
Velva
I could never figure out why anyone would want to buy boxed croutons when they are so easy to make, and are so darn delicious. Yours looks really good! Thanks for sharing.
Velva
Tricia Buice
Thank you Velva! Have a wonderful week 🙂
Becky Green
OH TRICIA! These sound SO GOOD! 😉 My hubby LOVES CRUTONS! I have to use them sparingly. 🙁 I’m SURE the smell as they are toasting is SCRUMTIOUS TOO!!! 😉 THANK YOU!!!! (LOOOVE your photos!) (Thanks for coming over to visit too! 😉 (((HUGS!))) )
Tricia Buice
You are so sweet Becky! Hugs to you too 🙂 Have a lovely week!
Pam
They look great, Tricia! I haven’t made them in a long time and you have inspired me. Perfect for a bowl of soup or salad, it they last that long. Thanks for sharing!
Tricia Buice
If they last that long is the thing 🙂 They are great snacks!
Mandy
Can’t beat homemade croutons. Quite honestly I could make a meal out of them alone.
Have a beautiful day Tricia.
🙂 xo
Tricia Buice
I agree Mandy – who can resist olive oil, herbs and bread. Yummy 🙂
Amy
Perfect, no more big box bagged hard pieces of bread.
Tricia Buice
Fresh crunchy homemade pieces of bread – haha!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
I love homemade croutons so much! Will definitely try your version next time I make some soup (which will no doubt be soon 😉
Tricia Buice
Enjoy Jennifer – thanks and have a great week 🙂
cheri
Hi Tricia, you make these sound so easy to make, love that you can bake these!
Tricia Buice
They really are easy to make Cheri – and so good 🙂
Larry
“I bet you’ll never buy croutons from the grocery store again.” I sure agree with you and can’t remember the last time we both them – as you said, just too easy to make and yous sound delicious.
Tricia Buice
They are a nice touch to a creamy bowl of soup Larry. I don’t usually by them but used to when we were having company or something. Not anymore! Hope you have a wonderful week.
Monica
I’m pinning this to try. I made croutons once (my son loves it) and did it on the stovetop. It kind of scared me off from making them again. Love this oven technique and the garlic and herbs sound perfect. They look incredible. : )
Tricia Buice
Thank you Monica – they have tons of flavor so if your son is not a fan of garlic, try using just a pinch to make them more mild. Enjoy! Thanks so much for stopping by!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland
I’m pretty sure these wouldn’t last long enough to get into a soup or salad, everybody in this house loves to snack on them!
Tricia Buice
I think the remaining croutons are earmarked as drive-by snacks for sure. They are very snack-able!