Croutons are a versatile and delicious addition to many dishes, from salads to soups to casseroles. They add a crispy texture and a nutty flavor that can elevate a simple meal. Making croutons at home is easy and only requires a few basic ingredients. In this article, we'll provide a detailed guide on how to make croutons, including tips for choosing the right bread and seasoning them to perfection.
Croutons are a great way to use up leftover bread. Any type of bread can be used, but a sturdy bread like sourdough or French bread will hold its shape better than a soft bread. Once you've chosen your bread, you'll need to cut it into cubes. The size of the cubes is up to you, but they should be about 1 inch in diameter.
Once you've cut the bread into cubes, you'll need to season them. You can use any herbs, spices, or seasonings that you like. Some popular choices include garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil to help the seasonings stick to the bread. Once the bread cubes are seasoned, they're ready to be baked.
How to Make Croutons
Follow these steps to make delicious croutons at home:
- Choose sturdy bread
- Cut into 1-inch cubes
- Season with herbs and spices
- Drizzle with olive oil
- Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes
- Stir occasionally
- Cool completely
- Store in airtight container
Enjoy your homemade croutons on salads, soups, and casseroles!
Choose sturdy bread
The type of bread you use will have a big impact on the final product. For croutons, you want to choose a bread that is sturdy and will hold its shape when toasted. Some good options include sourdough, French bread, and Italian bread. Avoid using soft, fluffy breads like white bread or sandwich bread, as these will not produce good croutons.
If you are using a fresh loaf of bread, you can slice it and cube it immediately. However, if you are using leftover bread, you may want to let it stale for a day or two before making croutons. This will help the bread to crisp up better in the oven.
Once you have chosen your bread, cut it into cubes. The size of the cubes is up to you, but they should be about 1 inch in diameter. If the cubes are too small, they will dry out too quickly in the oven. If the cubes are too large, they will not cook evenly.
Once the bread cubes are cut, you are ready to season them. You can use any herbs, spices, or seasonings that you like. Some popular choices include garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil to help the seasonings stick to the bread.
Once the bread cubes are seasoned, they are ready to be baked. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy. Stir the croutons occasionally during baking to ensure that they brown evenly.
Cut into 1-inch cubes
The size of the croutons is important for both texture and flavor. If the croutons are too small, they will dry out too quickly in the oven and become hard. If the croutons are too large, they will not cook evenly and may be chewy in the center.
The ideal size for croutons is about 1 inch in diameter. This size will give you a crouton that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. You can cut the bread cubes by hand with a sharp knife or you can use a bread cube cutter.
If you are using a bread cube cutter, simply follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you are cutting the bread cubes by hand, start by slicing the bread into slices that are about 1 inch thick. Then, cut each slice into strips that are also about 1 inch wide. Finally, cut the strips into 1-inch cubes.
Once the bread cubes are cut, you are ready to season them. You can use any herbs, spices, or seasonings that you like. Some popular choices include garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil to help the seasonings stick to the bread.
Once the bread cubes are seasoned, they are ready to be baked. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy. Stir the croutons occasionally during baking to ensure that they brown evenly.
Season with herbs and spices
Seasoning the croutons is an important step, as it will give them flavor and depth of taste. You can use any herbs, spices, or seasonings that you like, but some popular choices include:
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Dried thyme
- Dried rosemary
- Dried oregano
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Cumin
You can also add a drizzle of olive oil to help the seasonings stick to the bread. If you are using fresh herbs, be sure to chop them finely before adding them to the bread cubes.
Once the bread cubes are seasoned, toss them to coat them evenly. You can do this in a large bowl or in a resealable plastic bag. Be sure to coat all of the bread cubes evenly, so that each crouton has flavor.
Once the bread cubes are seasoned, they are ready to be baked. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy. Stir the croutons occasionally during baking to ensure that they brown evenly.
Once the croutons are baked, let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. Croutons can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Drizzle with olive oil
Drizzling the bread cubes with olive oil before baking them will help them to brown evenly and give them a crispy texture. It will also help the seasonings to stick to the bread.
- Use a good quality olive oil.
The type of olive oil you use will make a difference in the flavor of your croutons. Choose a good quality extra virgin olive oil that has a fruity or peppery flavor.
- Use just enough olive oil to coat the bread cubes.
You don't want to use too much olive oil, or the croutons will become greasy. A good rule of thumb is to use about 1 tablespoon of olive oil for every cup of bread cubes.
- Toss the bread cubes to coat them evenly.
Once you have drizzled the bread cubes with olive oil, toss them to coat them evenly. You can do this in a large bowl or in a resealable plastic bag.
- Bake the croutons until they are golden brown and crispy.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy. Stir the croutons occasionally during baking to ensure that they brown evenly.
Once the croutons are baked, let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. Croutons can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes
Once the bread cubes are seasoned and coated with olive oil, they are ready to be baked. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy.
The baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the bread cubes. Smaller cubes will bake more quickly than larger cubes. Thicker cubes will take longer to bake than thinner cubes.
To ensure that the croutons bake evenly, stir them occasionally during baking. This will help to prevent them from burning on one side.
Once the croutons are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely. You can then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Here are some tips for baking croutons:
- Use a baking sheet that is large enough to accommodate the bread cubes in a single layer. This will help them to brown evenly.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet. If the bread cubes are too close together, they will steam instead of crisp up.
- Stir the croutons occasionally during baking. This will help to prevent them from burning on one side.
- Bake the croutons until they are golden brown and crispy. If they are not crispy enough, they will become soggy when you add them to your salad or soup.
Stir occasionally
Stirring the croutons occasionally during baking is important for two reasons. First, it helps to prevent them from burning on one side. Second, it helps to ensure that they brown evenly.
- Use a spatula to gently stir the croutons.
Be careful not to stir them too vigorously, or they will break apart.
- Stir the croutons every 5-10 minutes.
This will help to ensure that they brown evenly on all sides.
- Continue stirring the croutons until they are golden brown and crispy.
The baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the bread cubes.
- Remove the croutons from the oven and let them cool completely.
Once the croutons are cool, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Here are some additional tips for stirring croutons:
- If you are using a large baking sheet, you may need to stir the croutons more frequently to ensure that they brown evenly.
- If you are making a large batch of croutons, you can stir them in batches. Just be sure to stir each batch for the same amount of time.
- Once the croutons are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the oven immediately. If you leave them in the oven too long, they will become overcooked and hard.
Cool completely
Once the croutons are baked, it is important to let them cool completely before storing them. This will help to prevent them from becoming soggy.
You can cool the croutons on a wire rack or on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. If you are using a wire rack, be sure to place it over a baking sheet to catch any crumbs.
Let the croutons cool for at least 30 minutes before storing them. Once they are cool, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Here are some additional tips for cooling croutons:
- If you are in a hurry, you can speed up the cooling process by placing the croutons in a single layer in the refrigerator. However, do not store the croutons in the refrigerator for more than 2 weeks.
- Once the croutons are cool, be sure to store them in an airtight container. This will help to keep them fresh and crispy.
- If you are storing the croutons for more than a few days, you can freeze them. To freeze the croutons, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze the croutons for up to 3 months.
Store in airtight container
Once the croutons are cool, it is important to store them in an airtight container. This will help to keep them fresh and crispy.
- Use a clean, airtight container.
Make sure the container is large enough to hold all of the croutons comfortably.
- Store the croutons at room temperature.
Croutons can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- If you are storing the croutons for more than 2 weeks, you can freeze them.
To freeze the croutons, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze the croutons for up to 3 months.
- When you are ready to use the croutons, thaw them at room temperature for 30 minutes.
You can also thaw the croutons in the microwave on the defrost setting.
Here are some additional tips for storing croutons:
- Do not store the croutons in a humid environment. This will cause them to become soggy.
- If you are storing the croutons for more than a few days, check them occasionally to make sure they are still crispy. If they are starting to become soggy, you can refresh them by baking them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes.
- Croutons can be used in a variety of dishes, such as salads, soups, and casseroles. They can also be used as a topping for baked potatoes or grilled chicken.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to make croutons:
Question 1: What is the best type of bread to use for croutons?
Answer 1: The best type of bread to use for croutons is a sturdy bread that will hold its shape when toasted. Some good options include sourdough, French bread, and Italian bread.
Question 2: How do I cut the bread into cubes?
Answer 2: You can cut the bread into cubes by hand with a sharp knife or you can use a bread cube cutter. If you are using a bread cube cutter, simply follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you are cutting the bread cubes by hand, start by slicing the bread into slices that are about 1 inch thick. Then, cut each slice into strips that are also about 1 inch wide. Finally, cut the strips into 1-inch cubes.
Question 3: How do I season the croutons?
Answer 3: You can use any herbs, spices, or seasonings that you like to season the croutons. Some popular choices include garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil to help the seasonings stick to the bread.
Question 4: How do I bake the croutons?
Answer 4: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy. Stir the croutons occasionally during baking to ensure that they brown evenly.
Question 5: How do I store the croutons?
Answer 5: Once the croutons are cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze the croutons for up to 3 months.
Question 6: How do I use the croutons?
Answer 6: Croutons can be used in a variety of dishes, such as salads, soups, and casseroles. They can also be used as a topping for baked potatoes or grilled chicken.
Question 7: Can I make croutons with gluten-free bread?
Answer 7: Yes, you can make croutons with gluten-free bread. Just be sure to use a gluten-free bread that is sturdy and will hold its shape when toasted.
These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about how to make croutons. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Now that you know how to make croutons, here are a few tips to help you make the best croutons possible:
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you make the best croutons possible:
Tip 1: Use high-quality bread.
The type of bread you use will have a big impact on the final product. Choose a sturdy bread that will hold its shape when toasted. Some good options include sourdough, French bread, and Italian bread.
Tip 2: Cut the bread into even cubes.
This will help the croutons to brown evenly. If the bread cubes are too small, they will dry out too quickly in the oven. If the bread cubes are too large, they will not cook evenly.
Tip 3: Season the croutons generously.
Don't be afraid to use a lot of seasonings. This is what will give your croutons flavor. Some popular choices include garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil to help the seasonings stick to the bread.
Tip 4: Bake the croutons until they are golden brown and crispy.
This will ensure that the croutons are flavorful and have a nice texture. Keep an eye on the croutons while they are baking to make sure they don't burn.
Tip 5: Store the croutons properly.
Once the croutons are cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze the croutons for up to 3 months.
By following these tips, you can make delicious croutons that will add flavor and texture to your favorite dishes.
Now that you know how to make croutons, you can experiment with different flavors and seasonings to create your own unique recipes. Get creative and have fun!
Conclusion
Making croutons at home is easy and only requires a few basic ingredients. By following the steps in this article, you can make delicious croutons that will add flavor and texture to your favorite dishes.
Here are the main points to remember:
- Choose a sturdy bread that will hold its shape when toasted.
- Cut the bread into even cubes.
- Season the croutons generously with your favorite herbs, spices, and seasonings.
- Bake the croutons until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Store the croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Once you've mastered the basics, you can experiment with different flavors and seasonings to create your own unique croutons. Get creative and have fun!
So next time you're looking for a way to add a little something extra to your salad, soup, or casserole, reach for a handful of homemade croutons. You won't be disappointed.