Homemade croutons are so easy to make – these baked, whole grain, 4 ingredient croutons will transform your soups and salads into something completely irresistible.
Once you go to a homemade crouton, there’s no going back. They are a major game-changer and your salads, soups and stews will never be the same. In a very, very good way.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Easy: These are ready in less than 15 minutes, start to finish!
- Four Ingredients: That’s right, only four! And aside from the bread, I bet you have them all on hand!
- Irresistible: They’re crunchy. They’re flavorful. And they’re all too easy to pop in your mouth!
- Great use for bread that’s getting stale: If you’re looking for ways to reduce waste in the kitchen, this is a great one! Make croutons out of bread that’s starting to get stale. Win win!
- Way better than store-bought: Seriously. Read the comments.
How to Make Croutons
All you need to do is cut the bread into cubes, toss it with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt, spread them on a baking sheet and bake.
They only take 10 minutes to bake (but if you have really fresh bread, they’ll take longer to get golden brown).
The hardest part, BY FAR, is not eating them all off the baking sheet while they’re still warm. They are an absolutely irresistible combination of chewy and crispy and make for an amazing salad topping or a soup topper.
How to Use Homemade Croutons
I’ve been loving them on top of Italian sausage stew. They star in this traditional panzanella salad and springtime asparagus panzanella salad.
How to Make Croutons on the Stove
I often get asked how to make croutons on the stove. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and toss the croutons around in the hot pan until they are golden brown. You can prepare the croutons exactly the same way if you’re going to make them on the stovetop, and you don’t have to increase the oil unless you want to. I prefer the oven method because it’s slightly more hands-off and frees me up to do other things.More Salad Toppings
- homemade reduced-fat ranch dressing
- fresh raspberry vinaigrette dressing recipe
- vanilla bean candied walnuts
- savory granola (not sweet, and super crunchy with pepitas, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds)
- pepitas (eight recipes!)
- sweet and tangy honey mustard vinaigrette
- olive oil roasted almonds
- seasoned oyster crackers
- pickled red onions
Homemade Croutons
Ingredients
- 4 heaping cups cubed bread (I used a multigrain baguette)
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, combine the bread, garlic powder, and salt. Drizzle olive oil over bread while stirring. Stir well until bread is coated by all ingredients and olive oil is absorbed.
- Spread the bread cubes into an even layer on a sheet pan. Don’t crowd the pan. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. If you’re using super fresh bread, they’ll take a little longer to become golden brown. If the bread is stale and dry, it may brown faster, so keep an eye on it!
Notes
- Serving size: 1/4 cup croutons.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
I’m amazed at how simple this recipe is yet so deliciously tasty! This is my first time making croutons and they came out delicious! Way better than anything found in stores! Thank you.
Thanks, Carol! They really are a game changer, aren’t they?
SO GOOD!! I am standing here right now trying not to eat them all as I am preparing the rest of dinner! I have never really liked store bought croutons but my kids love them on salads and I had a bag of bread odds and ends in the freezer that I was trying to figure out what to do with. So easy, and the flavor is great for the simple ingredients. I will be making these often, thank you so much!!
Haha I always have that problem too! I’m glad you liked these! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
I like herbs, I used oregano, basil, rosemary, dill, thyme, black paper, and sea salt with 5 grain Italian and whole wheat bread, amazing
My daughter and grandsons think this is their new potato chip! Thanks
Sounds so wonderful! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Hi there, can you use garlic granules, as I dont have garlic powder…. I’m worried they might burn? Thank you
They might burn, I haven’t tried these that way. They’re great without garlic, too.
My grandchildren loved them. We were having family dinner and a make a salad bar but forgot the croutons found this recipe won’t have to worry about buying croutons again
So great to hear that! I’m glad they were a hit!
I made these today. I bought on 88 cent bag of white bread. Put all sliced on baking rake and let them sit overnight. They were really dry! Cubed them, tossed in the evoo with 1/2 t. of garlic SALT, 1/2 t. dried Basil and 1/2 Lemon Pepper. Put them in 375 degree oven. Set timer for 5 minutes. Perfect! Only amendment I will make is to reduce the garlic SALT to 1/4. Thanks, Each ,
So glad you like them!
What a great way to use up old bread, thank you! I used sunflower oil and seasoned them with “everything but the bagel” seasoning. They are delicious!
So glad you liked them! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
Soooooooo good!! I used bacon fat with olive oil and that takes it up an extra notch!! my girlfriends makes me whip these up all the time!!
Yum! Bacon fat makes everything better!
The four ingredient croutons are too delicious even with the grave error I made. Without thinking I grabbed the garlic SALT . As soon as I noticed my error I did not add the sea salt. Still darn good. Can’t wait to make them again with garlic powder!! Thanks for a simple fast best crouton recipe ever.
So glad to hear you liked them! It’s a very forgiving recipe.
These are awesome!!
Thank you so much! Glad you like them!