Favorite Croutons
Transform your salads, soups, or snacks with these irresistible homemade croutons, affectionately known as "Favorite Croutons." Perfectly crunchy and bursting with flavor, this recipe starts with day-old crusty bread—like French or sourdough—which is tossed in a fragrant blend of olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and a touch of black pepper. The bread cubes are then baked to golden perfection in just 15 minutes, ensuring a satisfying crunch in every bite. Quick to make and endlessly versatile, these croutons are the ultimate kitchen staple for elevating everyday dishes. Plus, they’re a great way to reduce food waste by giving leftover bread a delicious second life!
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Ingredients
- 4 cups Day-old bread (French, sourdough, or any crusty bread)
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2
Cut the day-old bread into 1-inch cubes, ensuring the pieces are roughly the same size for even cooking.
Step 3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until fully blended.
Step 4
Add the bread cubes to the bowl and toss until all pieces are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
Step 5
Spread the coated bread cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding so each piece becomes crisp.
Step 6
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the croutons are golden brown and crunchy.
Step 7
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the croutons cool completely before serving or storing.
Step 8
Serve immediately over salads, soups, or as a standalone snack. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | 1009.4 grams (1009.4g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2936 |
| Total Fat 72.80g | 93% |
| Saturated Fat 11.30g | 57% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 5887mg | 256% |
| Total Carbohydrate 473.70g | 172% |
| Dietary Fiber 26.70g | 95% |
| Total Sugars 13.50g | |
| Protein 87.00g | 174% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 975mg | 75% |
| Iron 35mg | 197% |
| Potassium 1192mg | 25% |
Source of Calories