Simple Homemade Croutons

Homemade croutons on a tabletop

Prep time: 5 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 pound whole-grain bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasonings
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a large-rimmed baking sheet with olive oil.

    2. Cut the bread into slices about one inch thick. Then cut the slices into cubes. If you are using pre-sliced bread, cut them into cubes, but make sure to watch your timing as they will be done more quickly than the larger one-inch croutons. Toss bread, oil, herbs, garlic powder and salt in a large bowl until evenly moist and the herbs are evenly distributed. Spread the bread cubes out onto the prepared baking sheet.

    3. Coat the bread in the seasonings. Toss the bread cubes with oil, herbs, garlic powder and salt in a large bowl until the herbs are evenly distributed.

    4. Transfer to the oven and bake, stirring once until the croutons are crispy on the outside and starting to brown, 16 to 18 minutes total.

    5. You need to let these homemade croutons cool completely before serving them. This will give the croutons time to crisp up fully.

Notes:

This simple recipe helps you save money and gives you full control over the ingredients in your croutons. It’s also a great way to use bread that’s slightly dry or nearing the end of its freshness. Croutons add a crunchy texture to salads, making them more appealing to picky eaters.

Storage: Once cool, transfer them to a plastic bag or resealable container and store at room temperature for three days. If they become less crispy, you can quickly toast them in the toaster oven or oven for 5 minutes at 325 degrees F.

Nutrition:

Per serving: 121 calories; 2 g fat; 23 g carbohydrates; 5 g protein; 3 g fiber; 224 mg sodium

Recipe source: Healthy Seasonal Recipes