The BEST Homemade Crouton Recipe

Learn how to make croutons with just 4 simple ingredients. This crouton recipe is so much better than store bought! Use in salads, soups, stuffing or just eat them straight off the pan. 

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

Save Recipe

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Platings + Pairings.

Caesar salad topped with croutons

If you’re anything like me and my family, and you never finish a loaf of bread, you should definitely be making these homemade croutons.

This crouton recipe is the perfect way to use up stale bread. And it’s super simple too. 

The hardest part of this crouton recipe may be trying not to eat them all straight off your baking sheet.

You can use these homemade croutons for caesar salad, tomato soup, cold cucumber soup and chili. They also make a killer stuffing. Or, give them a few pulses in your food processor to make breadcrumbs. 

Ingredients needed

To make this simple crouton recipe, you’ll need these ingredients: 

  • Bread – See my tips below for the best bread to use.
  • Olive Oil
  • Italian Seasoning – Or, see my alternative seasoning suggestions below.
  • Garlic Powder
  • Salt and Pepper

The best bread for croutons

You can use any bread that you have on hand to make homemade croutons. Ideally, it will be a day or two old.

A hearty loaf, with an airy crumb, like sourdough, makes for extra crispy croutons. But you can also make these croutons with a french baguette, ciabatta, dinner rolls, even hot dog buns.

Whatever bread you use, don’t cut off the crust, that’s what gives those croutons their great texture. 

How do you make croutons from scratch? 

  • Dice your bread. Cut bread into ¾-inch cubes with a serrated knife. Aim for your pieces to be similar in size so that they’ll cook at the same rate. 
  • Toss with olive oil. Toss bread cubes in olive oil to coat evenly, this will ensure your spices stick. 
  • Sprinkle on spices. Sprinkle spices on the oiled bread cubes and toss to combine. 
  • Spread on baking sheet. Arrange bread cubes on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer. 
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until crispy and golden brown
Croutons on baking sheet after cooking.

How to make seasoned croutons

As written, this crouton recipe is delicious. However, if you’d like to add more flavor to your croutons, here are some great add-in ideas: 

  • Parmesan cheese
  • Rosemary
  • Thyme
  • Parsley
  • Cumin
  • Nutritional yeast
  • Lemon zest
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Sesame seeds

How to make ahead & store

Let croutons cool completely then store in an airtight container or ziploc bag for up to two weeks. You can also freeze croutons for up to two months. To use frozen croutons, bake them in a 300 degree oven until thawed and crispy. 

Hand holidng Bowl of croutons sprinkled with parsley. Bowl of croutons sprinkled with parsley.

How to substitute crushed croutons for bread crumbs

More easy homemade recipes

Did you try this homemade croutons recipe?

If you thought this was the best crouton recipe I would appreciate it so much if you would leave a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on  InstagramTikTokPinterest and Facebook.

Want to make croutons even quicker? Try these air fryer croutons.

Bowl of croutons sprinkled with parsley.

Homemade Croutons

Learn how to make Homemade Croutons with just 4 simple ingredients. This crouton recipe is so much better than store bought! Use in salads, soups, stuffing or just eat them straight off the pan.
4.92 from 47 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 8 people

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Add bread cubes to a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, garlic power, salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
  • Spread the bread cubes out in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  • Bake until golden, tossing halfway through, about 15-20 minutes, keeping an eye on them so they don’t burn.
  • Remove from oven, and let cool.

Notes

  • Let croutons cool completely then store in a sealed container or ziploc bag. 
  • Homemade croutons will keep for up to two weeks.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 402kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 905mg | Potassium: 226mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 171mg | Iron: 4mg

This how to make homemade croutons post was originally published in 2020. It was updated in 2023 to add new content. The recipe remains the same. Enjoy!

42 thoughts on “The BEST Homemade Crouton Recipe”

  1. 5 stars
    Can there be a single recipe made after January 2020 that doesn’t remind me how stupid and gullible the general population is to allow themselves to be locked up and suffocated for over a year?

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    These are the best! I will never buy croutons again. Everyone that has tasted them love them. I would just watch the time on them. Mine have cooked in under 15 minutes. So easy make.

    Reply
    • Hi Shylee – You can use any bread that you have on hand to make homemade croutons. Ideally, it will be a day or two old. A hearty loaf, with an airy crumb, like sourdough, makes for extra crispy croutons. But you can also make these croutons with a french baguette, ciabatta, dinner rolls, even hot dog buns. Whatever bread you use, don’t cut off the crust, that’s what gives those croutons their great texture.

      Reply
  3. 5 stars
    Mine turned out wonderfully on the first try. I had been making homemade bread faster than we could eat it so tried this. Will definiy make again and again!
    Dean C.
    Mesquite, TX

    Reply
  4. Thank you for this, I use almost exactly the same ingredients, BUT in the past I have put it in a skillet on the stove. I think your oven method is much better, evenly crisping and less cleanup if you use something like parchment paper underneath. My husband thinks saving bread just for homemade croutons is smart, haha. Thanks again!

    Reply
  5. 5 stars
    Oh my! We used to have a restaurant in our town that sold the most amazing croutons, my kids would call from college and want a bag sent to them. THESE ARE THE SAME ONES!! Oh they are delicious!! I could never get the recipe right but you did!! Thank you so much!!

    Reply
  6. I LOVE homemade croutons! I usually eat them right off the pan as they come out of the oven! I HIGHLY recommend cutting PRETZEL BUNS into cubes to make croutons, but only add EVOO and salt & pepper. Toast them and add to homemade cauliflower soup!!! YUMMMMM

    Reply
  7. 5 stars
    Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, these are the most scrumptious croutons I’ve ever tasted since the ones I used to get at the (now defunct) Merry Heart Tea Room in Granbury, TX. These taste so similar it takes me back many years. I made them just as the recipe instructs, and they truly are delicious. Thank you Erin!

    Reply
  8. 5 stars
    I’ve made these with many different breads. They are a great way to use up leftover bread from the freezer. They always turn out great.

    Reply
  9. 5 stars
    These are in the oven and the house smells wonderful! I have made these before and we loved them. I use whatever bread needs to be used. This time it was 2 brioche hamburger buns and 2 slices of white bread. Thank you for a great recipe!

    Reply
  10. 5 stars
    My family loves these croutons on their salad. Even to just pop them in your mouth the tastes is great! Easy to make and I have used all different types of bread to make them.

    Reply
4.92 from 47 votes (30 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.