Homemade French Bread Croutons are crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and are deliciously seasoned with warm, savory flavors. Perfect for soups, salads, and more!
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About these Croutons
I never really buy croutons. I’ve always preferred fresh bread spread with butter to complement my salads. Well, that changed when I recently had half a 2-day-old French baguette to use up, and alas, these homemade croutons were born.
And I will continue avoiding store-bought croutons, but am starting to love them now that I realize when they're homemade they can be SO good. They're an incredibly easy way to add more depth and crunch to salads and more.
These French Bread Croutons are crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and deliciously seasoned with warm, savory flavors. Italian seasoning, garlic salt, red pepper flakes, and olive oil will not only make your kitchen smell absolutely scrumptious, but will add incredible taste to whatever meal you pair these croutons with.
And if you're looking for more ways to elevate your salad, try adding this Pear Vinaigrette, these Apple Cider Vinegar Red Onions, or this Sweet Onion and Citrus Dressing, too!
Recipe Ingredients
- Bread: I use a French Baguette from Trader Joe's.
- Olive Oil: I used Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This helps prevent sticking and adds a delicious nutty and olive flavors.
- Seasonings: I used garlic salt, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes for the perfect amount of savoriness and spice.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make This Recipe
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease your sheet pan. Cube your bread. Try to make sure each piece is the same size so they all bake equally.
2. In a pinch bowl, combine garlic salt, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Then, add olive oil.
3. Add bread cubes to greased baking sheet and drizzle with seasonings mixture. Toss so all of the bread pieces are evenly coated.
4. Bake for 16-18 minutes. Flip the croutons 1-2 times to ensure the ultimate crispiness. Let cool and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Once they have completely cooled, store in an airtight tupperware at room temperature for up to 5 days. It is extremely important you let them cool, because if they're too warm, steam will get locked in the container and the condensation build up will result in soggy croutons.
Salads: These savory homemade croutons will be the perfect finishing touch to any salad that needs a nice crunch. I recommend adding them to a wedge or cobb salad. However, they'll complement any leafy salad as well!
Soups: This is seriously an underrated way to use croutons! Treat them like oyster crackers. They'll absorb the delicious flavors of your broth. And when you bite down, you'll experience an incredible savory flavor explosion. Try them with my Healthy Chicken Tortellini Soup or Turkey Sweet Potato Chili.
Charcuterie Boards: Get ready to dip these crispy croutons in creamy cheeses and olive oil!
Breadcrumbs: Pulse these croutons in a food processor to grind them into flavorful breadcrumbs for chicken, pork chops, and so much more.
Bread that is 1-2 days old is best for this recipe. We want it to be drier, which will create a better crunch in the oven. Also, keep in mind that oven times always vary. If you notice your bread getting brown too quickly, lower the heat and let the croutons bake lower and slower.
These croutons are made with French bread. The loaf I used was a baguette from Trader Joe's. Sourdough is another solid choice for a good, hearty crouton, but honestly most breads will do. I've even made croutons with leftover bagels before! The only breads I'd avoid are super delicate or soft breads. For example, I don't think a croissant crouton would turn out very well and don't do something lame like Wonder sandwich bread.
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Recipe
French Bread Croutons
Equipment
- Cutting Board
- bread knife
- Pinch bowl
- Measuring Spoons
- sheet pan
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French baguette
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Garlic Salt
- ½ tbsp Italian Seasoning
- ½ tbsp Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease your sheet pan.
- Cube your bread. Try to make sure each piece is the same size so they all bake equally.
- In a pinch bowl, combine garlic salt, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Then, add olive oil.
- Add bread cubes to greased baking sheet.
- Drizzle with seasonings and more olive oil. Toss evenly.
- Bake for 16-18 minutes. Flip the croutons 1-2 times to ensure the ultimate crispiness.
- Let cool completely before enjoying!
Nutrition
Notes
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I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
Courtney Paige says
I've said this before, but I will never buy store bought croutons again. This recipe is legit the best ever!
Alyssa says
Had some leftover bread and have been loving trying all apaigeofpositivity recipes so i decided to try it out. Did not disappoint !! So yummy & fresh tasting, i could eat them as a snack !
Sydney Van Acker says
i had some slightly stale bread that desperately needed to be eaten, and these croutons were absolutely the answer! I ate on a homemade caesar and it made the simple salad feel so sophisticated