Homemade Croutons

Croutons are small pieces of bread that have been baked or fried until they are crisp and crunchy. As a topping, croutons add texture and flavor to soups and salads. Croutons can be made from a variety of breads, including white, whole wheat, sourdough, and rye. Baguettes are a good choice. Cut the slices into cubes, or if you are using a narrow loaf such as a baguette or ciabatta, use whole slices or cut the slices in half or into strips.

There are many reasons to make your own croutons, including cost, flavor, control over the texture, and natural ingredients. Plus, homemade croutons are remarkably easy to make. Cubed bread, a few basic pantry seasonings, and some olive oil are all you need. If you’re making them for a Caesar salad or soup, you might want to add some Parmesan cheese.

The recipe is versatile as well. The following recipe is my favorite combination for salads and soups, but if you are making them for stuffing, change up the seasonings by replacing the oregano with some sage, and omit the Parmesan. For a casserole topping, you might replace the olive oil with melted butter and use complementary seasonings. The recipe is easily doubled or tripled for more servings—just make sure you bake them in a single layer.

How to Use Croutons

Croutons are a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different ways to add flavor and texture to a variety of dishes. Transform croutons from a simple salad topper with some of these ideas:
Salads: Croutons are a classic salad topper and add a satisfying crunch to any green salad.
Soups: Sprinkle croutons on top of a bowl of soup to add a crispy texture and additional flavor.
Stuffing: Use croutons as a base for stuffing for your favorite poultry or meat dishes.
Casseroles: Mix croutons into casseroles for a crispy topping that adds both texture and flavor.
Breakfast: Use croutons as a base for a breakfast scramble with eggs, cheese, and your favorite veggies.
Bread Pudding: Croutons can be used as a substitute for bread in a savory bread pudding.
Mac and Cheese: Top mac and cheese with croutons for an extra crunchy topping.
Snacking: Mix croutons with your favorite nuts and dried fruits for a savory snack mix.

How to Store Homemade Croutons

You can make homemade croutons whenever you have extra stale bread, because they can be stored for a few days at room temperature or up to 3 to 4 months in the freezer. Here’s how:

1. Cool the croutons completely on a wire rack or baking sheet. This will help prevent any moisture from being trapped when storing, which could make them soggy.
2. Choose an airtight glass or plastic container, resealable plastic bags, or jars with airtight seals all work well.
3. Transfer the cooled croutons to the airtight container; seal the container and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, such as a pantry or kitchen cupboard.
4. Homemade croutons with Parmesan cheese typically stay fresh for up to 1 week when stored properly. It’s a good idea to check for signs of staleness or spoilage before using them, as the storage time may vary depending on factors like humidity and the freshness of the bread used.
5. Croutons freeze beautifully, which is a good option if you need to store them for a longer period of time. To freeze the croutons, place them in a resealable plastic freezer bag and remove as much of the air as possible. Seal the bag, label with the name and date, and store the croutons in the freezer for up to 3 months.
6. Let the croutons come to room temperature on the counter before using them in a salad or other dish.

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