Easy homemade croutons, perfect for soups and crispy salads! Use any leftover bread but my favorite crouton bread uses pretzel buns.
There is no need to buy croutons at the store anymore. Nope. Sorry crouton companies but they are so easy to make that you had best just make them yourself.
I may be saying that because I’ve become the girl who makes pickles so she doesn’t have to buy them (they taste better by the way). But I’m okay with that. It’s actually become something I’m proud of.
I love buying pretzel buns and breadsticks at the store and turning them into croutons. They are an easy way to add some great flavor to soups and salads. And these croutons are so good I have eaten them on their own.
But enough about that – lets talk about making them.
Easy Homemade Croutons
Start with leftover bread. You really can use any bread but as I said above, bread of the pretzel variety is my crouton bread of choice. French bread and challah bread are other goat options.
Start by taking a serrated knife and cutting pieces that are the same size. I would say cut pieces that are about 1/2 inch squares.
Toss them in a bowl with your olive oil and make sure the oil evenly coats all of the bread chunks. Then throw in your seasoning and spread them out evenly on a foil lined baking pan. Put the pan in the oven and bake.
So. Darn. Easy.
Who doesn’t want to top soup with croutons? Or a caesar said?
Store your croutons in an air-tight container and they should stay good for a few weeks. You’ll find yourself eating them often so I doubt they will last that long. And then you’ll have an excuse to make croutons again!
Easy Homemade Croutons
Easy homemade croutons, perfect for soups and crispy salads! Use any leftover bread but my favorite crouton bread uses pretzel buns.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of cubed bread, sliced in 1/2 inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- pinch of salt
- pinch of pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
Put the bread in a medium bowl and toss in the olive oil. Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper and toss.
Pour the bread cubes on the baking sheet evenly and bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Store in an air-tight container.
Recipe Notes
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 553kcal Calories from fat 277 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 31g | 48% |
| Saturated Fat 5g | 25% |
| Transfat 0g | |
| Sodium 591mg | 25% |
| Carbohydrate 57g | 19% |
| Dietary Fiber 5g | 20% |
| Sugars 7g | |
| Protein 13g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
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Katie says
I LOVE this! I used to make croutons all the time, but I never thought to use pretzel bread. So clever!
Jenny B says
Thanks Katie! They’re crunchy and soft at the same time – don’t know how but I imagine its because of the pretzel bread.
Karen says
Thank you for your crouton recipe that is a nice savory one I like using a mixture of fresh garlic and herbs out of the garden and day old, if there is any left, bread it is so good you eat them as they come out of the oven, very good and tasty! I also make a sweet crouton that I use 5 Spice Powder in it goes great with chocolate and cheese fondues and custards plus if you sprinkle a little sugar on them just before they come out of the oven very delicious!! 🙂
Jenny B says
That all sounds delicious! I will try those flavors next time I make croutons!
Karen says
J hope that you enjoy them as much as my family, friends and I do!
Look forward to more recipes!
laurie damrose says
Thank you for the qiuckie recipe,I love homemade Croutons.
Angela P. says
I love croutons! It never occurred to me that I could make my own. I bet they are so yummy when they are homemade. I have to try this.
Jenny B says
Thanks Angela!
Rita Spratlen says
I love this! It has been a while since I have made these. Thanks for the idea. Great and better than in a box too!!
Jenny B says
I agree – there are so many things you can make yourself instead of buying at the store!
Nuresha Perera says
looks wonderful. i will definetly try these.
Barriestore bought says
I’ve made croutons although it was many years ago. It was so easy and tasted so much better than bought. I’ve never thought of purchasing reduced bakery breads such as pretzel. Thanks for a great idea!
Jenny B says
You’re welcome! You can use any bread type out there 🙂
babyblushpink says
i could eat croutons just as is, like for snacks yummm
Jenny B says
Me too!
Rose Reeder says
I LOVE this! I used to make croutons all the time but seemed like they were stale before using, so now I can just make part of an easy batch. Thanks.
Jenny B says
You’re welcome!
krystel says
great post thanks
Namrata says
These look delicious. Gotta try it
Christine L says
I love soup, croutons just make everything better.
Shannon says
OOOH I love pretzel bread and made into croutons sounds just lovely. Thank you for sharing.
Jenny B says
You’re welcome Shannon!
Jenn E says
Perfect! I am actually going to make my own croutons now!
Jenny B says
Thanks Jenn! They’re surprisingly easy to make!
Nuresha Perera says
looks delicious
Annie | MontgomeryFest says
this looks delicious – bookmarking!