If you’ve never considered making your own croutons, it’s really worth the modest effort. These Easy Homemade Sourdough Croutons are a great way to use leftover bread and top your favorite salads and creamy soups.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If the thought of making your own homemade sourdough croutons seems like just too much, hear me out. All you need is stale bread, a few seasonings and a sheet pan to make perfect little bread cubes at home.
Here’s a few good reasons to make them:
- If you’ve got half a loaf of bread laying around, it’s a great way to
- Store-bought croutons are often hard and flavorless, but these aren’t.
- Homemade croutons add a special touch to any salad or soup, with simple ingredients.
- This is a quick and easy recipe, with just five pantry staple ingredients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the full recipe and list of instructions and ingredients, please scroll down to the recipe card below.
- Sourdough Bread: Leftover, stale sourdough bread is best.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: To coat the bread.
- Kosher Salt/Black Pepper/Garlic Powder: So much flavor here.
Step-By Step Instructions
Making your own homemade croutons is easy, and doesn’t take very long!
Here’s all you need to do:
- Dice the stale bread into approximate one inch cubes. You can also tear the bread if you’d like.
- Transfer the cubes to a medium-sized or large bowl, then toss with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
3. Place the ingredients on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a flat, single layer.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown with a little crunch in a 375F degree oven. Use them immediately, or store them for up to a week in an air-tight container.
Tips and Possible Variations
- You can skip the garlic powder if you’d like, though it’s delicious when added.
- Double or triple this recipe, the croutons keep well for 5-7 days.
- For a more rustic look, tear the stale bread into similar size pieces and then toast them in the oven.
- Make a big batch of fresh croutons to have for salads and soups all week long.
Serving Ideas
Homemade croutons are incredibly good, and easy to make. It’s really worth the little bit of effort it takes to make them.
Here are a few ways to serve them:
- Sprinkle on canned or homemade soups. Make an easy homemade Tomato Soup, this creamy (non-dairy) and dreamy Pumpkin Soup, on top of this creamy chicken enchilada soup for the slow cooker, or on this rich and smooth Potato Soup, or this fresh and tasty Italian Beans and Greens soup.
- Toss on top of your favorite salad. This Easy House Salad is awesome, and this shrimp salad is similar to Caesar salad, but with lemon ranch dressing. Both are very good with homemade croutons!
- Try a handful piled on top of this tasty Southern Tuna Salad, or this fresh kale salad make an easy Broccoli Salad and crumble them on top for extra crunch and flavor.
- Have some friends over for a soup and salad party! Make an easy dessert like Chocolate Covered Strawberries, a warm fruit crisp, or some easy and melt-in-your-mouth Butterball Cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions
An airtight container works best for 5-7 days, and they can be kept at room temperature or refrigerated.
Yes! Try packaged Italian Seasoning mix (plus the salt and pepper) for a flavorful variation. Toss 2-3 teaspoons dry salad dressing mix into the bowl with the cut bread and olive oil, toss and follow the baking instructions.
Try sprinkling a little Parmesan cheese over the top about five minutes before they’re done in the oven.
Also, try flavoring with onion powder instead of garlic powder. Add fresh thyme and fresh parsley chopped small the last five minutes of baking time.
More Recipes to Try
- Fruit Toast: A very fresh and tasty way to eat toast.
- Maple Dijon Salad Dressing: A flavorful, delicious dressing.
- Superfoods Salad: A hearty, delicious way to eat healthy.
- Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad: A refreshing, delicious salad.
- Easy Salsa Mix Recipe: A fresh, easy appetizer.
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Homemade Soudough Croutons
Ingredients
- ½ loaf Sourdough or rustic country bread round, diced
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper, freshly ground
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the bread into one-inch thick pieces. Transfer the cubes to a medium-sized bowl and add the olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Toss together to coat. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
- Bake for seven minutes, then remove from oven and turn the croutons over with a spatula. Return to the oven for another seven to ten minutes until lightly browned and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and use right away, or cool completely then store in an airtight container one week.
Notes
- You can skip the garlic powder if you’d like, though it’s delicious when added.
- Double or triple this recipe, the croutons keep well for a full week.
- For a more rustic look, tear the stale bread into similar size pieces rather than cutting the bread with a knife.
Nutrition
- Super important to read the whole recipe before you begin
- Pay attention to the ingredient list and photos for the recipe
- If possible, prep your ingredients a little before you start
- Always use a sharp knife for safety
- Use the size of pan called for in the recipe
- For savory recipes, taste and season as you go
- Buy fresh, organic ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible
This post was updated with new text and instructions February, 2024.
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