Homemade Croutons Recipe (Healthy Baked Croutons) VIDEO!! (2024)

Homemade Croutons Recipe (Healthy Baked Croutons) VIDEO!! (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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This HOMEMADE CROUTONS RECIPE is super simple. Impress everyone including yourself with these HEALTHY BAKED CROUTONS! I love that these are BAKED and not fried, making them a healthier alternative to this classic recipe. They’re the perfect way to take any salad from good to great.

Homemade Croutons Recipe (Healthy Baked Croutons) VIDEO!! (2)

Table of Contents

Homemade Croutons Recipe

Want to know how to make homemade croutons? This simple baked croutons recipe is just what you need!

Every home cook should have basic skills at hand for those staple foods and dishes that you use over and over again. You don’t need to be a master chef to make a good meal, but you do want to learn a few basic things…like boiling pasta, chopping vegetables, orhow to cook a baked potatoand make the perfect Pico de Gallo. Today we’re going to add Homemade Croutons to your skill set!

I love this healthy Homemade Croutons Recipe because it’s really easy and these baked croutons taste SO GOOD. They are crispy, crunchy, and full of flavor! Plus you can keep them for weeks so they’re ready to go whenever you need them.

Croutons are the perfect topping for salads (every Caesar salad needs a good crouton), and they add a much-needed crunch to creamy soups. These are even good enough to eat on their own as a quick snack!

Learn how to make Homemade Croutons with this healthy Baked Croutons recipe!

Homemade Croutons Recipe (Healthy Baked Croutons) VIDEO!! (3)

How to Make Homemade Croutons

It’s easy to go to the store and just buy a package of pre-made croutons, but there’s nothing like the taste of fresh homemade croutons!

To make this baked croutons recipe, you just need a few things:

  • Baguette or rustic bread (something hearty)
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Butter
  • Garlic cloves
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Salt & pepper

Simple flavors for a classic crouton that goes well with any salad or soup.

To make this homemade croutons recipe, just toss the bread pieces in the garlic & oil mixture, then add in the seasonings. Put them on a baking sheet and bake in the oven until they are golden brown and crispy. Let them cool after baking, and then they’re ready to add in to your favorite dishes.

Full instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Healthy Homemade Croutons Recipe

This homemade croutons recipe is a healthier version of the classic salad topping. They are baked instead of fried, and they’re cooked in extra-virgin olive oil instead of butter. By making croutons yourself at home, you know exactly what’s in them. There’s nothing like a healthy homemade crouton to throw on top of your healthy salad.

Homemade Croutons Recipe (Healthy Baked Croutons) VIDEO!! (4)

How long do homemade croutons last?

The best part about this homemade croutons recipe is the fact that you can make a bunch all at once, and then save them to use on all your salads at a moment’s notice.

These baked homemade croutons will last up to 3 weeks. Just make sure you store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. They’ll stay crisp and crunchy without getting too stale.

You can also freeze homemade croutons, and thaw and reheat them in the oven when you’re ready to use them. However, they taste best (and keep their crunchiness) when stored at room temperature.

What are croutons made out of?

Croutons are basically just pieces of bread, cooked in oil or butter with some seasonings added in for flavor. To make croutons, it’s best to use a heartier bread with a nice crunchy crust…these breads have the best texture for croutons. Homemade croutons are also a great way to use up stale bread instead of letting it go to waste.

How long does it take to cook croutons?

Croutons don’t take long to make. From start to finish, this Homemade Croutons Recipe takes about 30 minutes. Prep time is short, and baking time can range from 15-25 minutes. The trick is to cook the croutons until they are a crisp golden brown color.

Homemade Croutons Recipe (Healthy Baked Croutons) VIDEO!! (5)

Now you know how to make homemade croutons! And it was super easy, wasn’t it? I really love this healthy Homemade Croutons Recipe…the flavor is perfect and they dress up any salad in no time. I hope you try these baked croutons so you can make them for years to come.

Here are a few recipes you can add these homemade croutons to:

  • Mandarin Orange Salad
  • Creamy Chicken Soup
  • Chopped Chicken Caesar Salad Dip
  • Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup
  • Zesty Bread Salad

See the recipe card below for details on How to Make this Homemade Croutons recipe. Enjoy!

And don’t forget to try Garlic Croutons or BACON Croutons to switch things up!

Recipe

Healthy Homemade Croutons Recipe

4.65 from 17 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Cook: 25 minutes minutes

Total: 30 minutes minutes

Homemade Croutons Recipe (Healthy Baked Croutons) VIDEO!! (6)

This HOMEMADE CROUTONS RECIPE is super simple.Impress everyone including yourself with these HEALTHY BAKED CROUTONS! I love that these are BAKED and not fried, making them a healthier alternative to this classic recipe. They're the perfect way to take any salad from good to great.

Homemade Croutons Recipe (Healthy Baked Croutons) VIDEO!! (7)

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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 cups rustic bread or baguette crust removed and bread cut into ¾-inch cubes

Optional Seasonings:

  • crushed red pepper Herbs de Provence, basil, thyme, rosemary, chili powder, onion powder. The options are so many - have fun with this recipe.
  • 4 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • Place oven rack to middle position, and preheat oven to 375°F.

  • In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil with the minced garlic for 30 seconds.

    3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 cloves garlic

  • Pour the olive oil/garlic mixture through a fine mesh sieve set over a large bowl. Press the garlic with a rubber spatula or the back of a wooden spoon to extract as much garlic oil as possible. Reserve the garlic for another use.

  • Microwave the butter, in a small bowl, at 30% power for 20-40 seconds. The butter could bubble over, so watch closely in the last 10 seconds. Add the oil to the melted butter and stir well.

    3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • Add the salt, black pepper, and your favorite herbs/seasonings to the butter/oil mixture, then add the bread cubes. Toss until the cubes are evenly coated in the oil/butter mixture.

    Kosher salt, Freshly ground black pepper, crushed red pepper, 3 cups rustic bread or baguette

  • Pour the croutons onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake 15-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.

  • Remove from the oven, sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese, and toss until all croutons are covered. Allow to cool completely.

    4 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

Storage:Store homemade croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 123kcal (6%) Carbohydrates: 9g (3%) Protein: 3g (6%) Fat: 8g (12%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Cholesterol: 2mg (1%) Sodium: 133mg (6%) Potassium: 20mg (1%) Vitamin A: 30IU (1%) Vitamin C: 0.3mg Calcium: 46mg (5%) Iron: 0.6mg (3%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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Homemade Croutons Recipe (Healthy Baked Croutons) VIDEO!! (2024)

FAQs

Homemade Croutons Recipe (Healthy Baked Croutons) VIDEO!!? ›

Pumpkin Seeds

Unlike pumpkin lattes, pumpkin seeds can be enjoyed year round. Hear that crunch? That's the sound of good fats and protein making their way into your body via your salad. Coming lightly-salted, they are a great savory alternative to croutons.

What is a healthy version of croutons? ›

Pumpkin Seeds

Unlike pumpkin lattes, pumpkin seeds can be enjoyed year round. Hear that crunch? That's the sound of good fats and protein making their way into your body via your salad. Coming lightly-salted, they are a great savory alternative to croutons.

Is croutons bread healthy? ›

A. Regarding nutritional value, croutons and bread are practically identical. Therefore, croutons, especially those made from whole-grain bread, might provide limited health benefits. Moreover, most croutons have more sodium than your store-bought bread.

Why are my croutons not crispy? ›

The key to crispy croutons is making sure that they're fully dried out in the oven and crunchy all the way through. They should not be chewy when they come out of the oven. Bake croutons in a single layer on the baking sheet to crisp up the bread, rather than steaming it.

How unhealthy are croutons? ›

Why is it unhealthy? Croutons can add some delicious crunch to your salad, but they can also add calories. You might be surprised to learn that just a cup of croutons can add an estimated 120 calories to your salad, and that number goes up to 180 if they are the seasoned variety.

Are croutons good for a diet? ›

Croutons. Croutons aren't the worst offenders when it comes to diet-disasters, but they add calories from processed grains without providing any nutritional benefit. 3 And many times the croutons are fried so they add unnecessary fat to your otherwise healthy meal.

What bread is a Superfood? ›

Whole grain or sprouted grain breads with minimal ingredients can be a nutrient-dense and delicious addition to a healthy diet. “Sprouted grain bread is typically higher in protein, fiber and beneficial vitamins and minerals than other breads,” says Sassos.

Is multigrain bread actually good for you? ›

Not consuming enough dietary fibre is the leading cause of constipation and other digestive issues. This is where multigrain bread comes in handy as it is loaded with dietary fibre. Dietary fibre regularises bowel movements, helping you stay comfortable and healthy.

Do croutons raise blood sugar? ›

Croutons, seasoned is likely to have a high glycemic index, as estimated by the AI Glycemic Index Estimator. Check out high glycemic index foods page to view the foods with lab verified GI indices.

Why are my homemade croutons so hard? ›

3: Don't let the bread get perfectly crisp in the oven

The croutons will continue to crisp up as they cool, so croutons that are perfectly crisp straight out of the oven will end up being rock hard when they cool. Those are the croutons that hurt your mouth to eat – no one likes that!

Can I freeze my homemade croutons? ›

Croutons: Yes, you can freeze them! Cube stale bread and toast it for a few minutes. Then, place the croutons into a resealable freezer bag and stow in the freezer. You can also freeze the uncooked bread cubes and toast them at a later time.

How many days do homemade croutons last? ›

The expected shelf-life for homemade croutons is about two weeks. Moisture encourages mold, so make sure your croutons are completely dehydrated during the bake and let cool completely at room temperature before storing them away in an airtight container.

How to stop croutons from going soggy? ›

It's easy to make croutons crunchy: Just dry the bread pieces in a dehydrator or low-temperature oven (around 125°C) for a couple of hours. This should be done before adding oil or seasonings, since the process would cook off a lot of their flavor.

Can bread be too stale for croutons? ›

They're wonderfully golden and crisp, and infinitely superior to dry, store-bought croutons. The best part about homemade croutons is that you can use your favorite bread, even if it's gone stale, and your croutons are ready in under 15 minutes.

How do you store homemade croutons so they don't get soggy? ›

You don't want any added moisture in the storage container. Once cooled, store the croutons in an airtight container or jar in a cool, dry place. To soak up any excess moisture, you can add a paper towel to the bottom of the container. Stored at room temperature, the homemade croutons will last up to 3 days.

Is caesar salad healthy? ›

The bottom line. A classic Caesar salad can fit into any healthy eating plan, but modifications to make it more nutritious may be a good idea if you eat them often. Choose a salad dressing that's low in saturated fat and sodium and consider using a 1-tablespoon (14-gram) serving.

What croutons do Olive Garden use? ›

These croutons are prepared using Olive Garden's own recipe, and are the same ones you will find in our restaurants. Our croutons are made with Romano cheese, seasoned with garlic, Italian herbs and spices, and baked to a delicious golden brown.

What kind of croutons does Olive Garden use? ›

Olive Garden croutons are made with romano cheese, seasoned with garlic, Italian herbs & spices, and baked to a delicious golden brown.

Can you use breadcrumbs instead of croutons? ›

Why Breadcrumbs Are the New Croutons. Move over, croutons: Breadcrumbs are the better way to add texture and crunch to salads. The Caesar dressing acts as a glue that clings them onto every piece of romaine lettuce, so that — unlike croutons — the breadcrumbs don't fall to the bottom.

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