Homemade croutons take only minutes to make and are a great way to use up day-old bread. After trying these homemade croutons, you will likely never go back to buying store-bought ones. They have much better flavor and add just the right crunch to any salad or soup.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf day-old French bread or baguettes, cut into 1-inch cubes (4 to 5 cups)
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
How to Make It
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Place the bread cubes in a large zip-top bag.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Stir in the olive oil, parsley, salt, basil, garlic powder, and pepper. Let cool.
- Pour the butter mixture into the bag and shake until the bread is evenly coated. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Turn the croutons, then bake for 7 to 10 minutes more, or until the croutons are golden and crisp.
- Enjoy on your favorite soups and salads. Store the croutons in a zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.