Up your salad game with the BEST Homemade Croutons! A simple combination of fresh bread, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and seasonings, they’re way better than store bought and so easy to make!
Salads are one of my all time favorite meals… and we all know that when it comes to salads, croutons are a must. They add a deliciously crunchy finishing touch to all your favorite salad recipes, and they make even the BEST salads better.
But the truth is… not all croutons are created equally. And the ONLY kind of croutons I want on my salads is homemade!
Homemade Croutons are next level crunchy, fresh, and flavorful. Unlike store-bought, you can adjust the seasonings to be exactly what you like. And unlike store-bought… every single bite of them is 100% WORTH IT.
Best of all, croutons are incredibly easy to make at home. All you need is fresh bread, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and a handful of pantry seasonings… and you’re 20 minutes away from the best salad topper you’ve ever had!
Ingredients in Homemade Croutons
Bread – I used a French baguette in this recipe, but you can also use sourdough, whole grain, or any type of crusty bakery bread.
Olive oil – Olive oil adds flavor and next level crispiness to these croutons. I used extra virgin olive oil, which is always my favorite, but you can substitute any type you prefer.
Parmesan – Grated Parmesan cheese adds a delicious cheesy flavor to these croutons. A shaker works just fine!
Seasonings – I used a combination of dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Feel free to add or subtract according to your tastes.
How to make Croutons
Cut the bread – Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the bread into cubes about 1 inch in size and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Coat with olive oil – Drizzle the bread cubes with olive oil and toss to coat.
Add seasonings – Combine the parsley, garlic powder, salt & pepper and sprinkle evenly over the croutons.
Bake – Spread the coated croutons in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes, or until crispy.
Recipe variations
- Add Italian or Greek seasoning blend
- Use any type of fresh or day old bread
- Substitute melted butter for olive oil
- Use shredded Parmesan in place of grated Parmesan
- Substitute fresh minced garlic for garlic powder
Storage tips
Leftover croutons should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 weeks.
How to use Homemade Croutons
Croutons make a delicious addition to any of your favorite soups and salads… and they’re perfect for snacking, too! These are some of our favorite salad recipes to try them with!
- Chef Salad
- Cranberry Apple Pecan Salad
- Summer Strawberry Salad
- Protein Power Salad
- Apple Walnut Salad
- Pear, Walnut & Gorgonzola Salad
- BLT Caesar Salad
- Strawberry Bacon Blue Cheese Salad
Homemade Croutons
Ingredients
- 1 French or Sourdough baguette
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the bread into cubes about 1 inch in size and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Drizzle the bread cubes with olive oil and toss to coat.
- Combine the parsley, garlic powder, salt & pepper and sprinkle evenly over the croutons.
- Spread the coated croutons in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes, or until crispy.
Nutrition
Homemade croutons make everything better! I am excited to try the flavor variations!
I used these on your BLT Caesar salad and they were amazing. So much better than store bought.
This Homemade Croutons looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
I use a lot croutons in my kitchen. Now I will make them at home with your recipe!
Yummy! These are perfect for our salad tonight. My husband is going to love these. So excited to make these and they are easy too! Thank you!
These are perfect croutons! And so easy!
It is so easy to make and so good!