Join the club! Subscribe Here

  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Fresh Cooky new logo.

The Fresh Cooky

Real Food with a Healthy Twist

  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • By Course
      • Apps & Snacks
      • Breads
      • Drinks
      • Main Dishes
      • Salads & Dressings
      • Sandwiches
      • Sauces & Condiments
      • Side Dishes
      • Soups & Stews
      • Sweets
    • By Cuisine
      • Asian
      • German
      • Italian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
    • By Diet
      • Egg-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • Low Carb
      • Vegetarian
    • By Meal Type
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • Breakfast
      • Brunch
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Easy Weeknight
      • Freezer Friendly
      • Kid-Friendly
      • Make Ahead
      • Copycat
    • By Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Crockpot
      • Grilled
      • Instant Pot
      • One Pot
      • Sheet Pan
      • Stovetop
  • Holidays
    • Patriotic Recipes
  • Most Popular
  • For Subscribers
Recipes โ€บ Courses โ€บ Breads
1 Comment

How To Make Homemade Croutons

Kathleen

by Kathleen Pope Mar 22, 2024

Jump to Recipe

Such simplicity, yet such complexity. Today you will learn how to make homemade croutons, they are a favorite in our house! Crunchy outsides with the right amount of chewy inside. Four simple ingredients and you are ready to dress up a soup, add crunch to a salad, or nibble on during the day.

Crispy buttery croutons in red container.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure & privacy policy.

What are Croutons Made of

Croutons are a simple mixture of cubed bread (typically stale bread works best), coated in an oil (butter in this case) and seasonings, then baked until crispy.

How Do you Make Croutons

  • Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Cut french bread into rough 1 inch squares, set aside (stale bread works best, but fresh still works)
  • Melt butter in a large pot, stir in sea salt and garlic, stirring for 1 minute until garlic is fragrant.
  • Remove pot from heat, add bread cubes and toss until seasoned butter is soaked into bread evenly.
  • Spread croutons on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes until evenly browned, using a spatula, toss once or twice during baking time so all sides are toasted.
Process shots for homemade croutons, L-R tossing bread cubes in melted butter, pouring onto baking sheet, crisping in oven and finished croutons.

How Long do Homemade Croutons Last

  • Store cooled garlic croutons in a ziplock bag or an airtight storage container.
  • Croutons will remain fresh on the counter for up to 3 days stored as stated above, or
  • up to a week in the refrigerator (you may need to toss them for a few minutes in a hot pan to crisp them up again) or
  • up to 3 months in the freezer
To down shot of crispy buttery croutons in red bowl with some sprinkled outside of the bowl.

What Can you Make with Leftover Croutons

  • Leftover croutons?! LOL! My sons and husband eat them like candy.
  • However; if you find yourself with leftover croutons, freeze them for a later use in salads or soups.
  • Sprinkle a handful on your favorite soup, try Tomato, Creamy Potato Leek or Cauliflower soup!
  • Toss them in scrambled eggs! No need for toast!
  • Make breadcrumbs! Whir crispy croutons in a blender, or place in baggie and crush with a rolling pin. Use in Chicken Parmesan in place of breadcrumbs or in a meatloaf.

Crouton Variations and Add-Ins

  • Sprinkle ¼ cup fine grated parmesan cheese over the tops of croutons before baking
  • Add other herbs and spices, try 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, basil or thyme (or all three), toss with butter.
  • Don’t want to use all butter; use equal amounts of olive oil or avocado oil; or half butter, half olive oil.
  • Don’t have fresh garlic? Add a teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
Croutons in red ceramic bowl spilled onto wooden cutting board with pewter spoon.

Do I Have to Use French Bread

Absolutely! I have used any and all of the below, preparing the same way, no need to limit yourself!

  • Italian Bread (white or whole wheat)
  • Stale Challah or Brioche bread
  • Rye bread (yum!)
  • Pumpernickel bread (double yum!!)
  • Whole Wheat Bread
  • Gluten Free bread (yup, and they are delicious)
  • White Sandwich Bread
  • What bread did you use?
Pin for how to make your own croutons with variations. Crispy croutons spilled onto cutting board.

Try these croutons on any number of these soups & stews!

Like this recipe?

Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!

Recipe Card

Homemade Croutons

5 from 1 reader
Author: Kathleen Pope
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 -8 servings
Print Pin SaveSaved!
Learn how to make homemade croutons, they are a favorite in our house! Just 4 simple ingredients and you are ready to dress up a soup, add crunch to a salad, or nibble on during the day.

Equipment

  • 100pcs Unbleached Parchment Paper Baking Liners Sheets
  • USA Pan Half Sheet Baking Pan and Bakeable Nonstick Cooling Rack

Ingredients 
US Customary – Metric

  • 1 loaf crusty French bread cut into 1 inch cubes, set aside (stale bread works great, if bread is really fresh, cube and let it sit on the counter for an hour or so)
  • 1 stick unsalted butter reduce salt by ยผ teaspoon if using salted butter
  • 1-2 teaspoons kosher sea salt
  • 2 cloves garlic minced (replace with 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Cut french bread into rough 1 inch squares, set aside (stale bread works best, but fresh still works). Melt butter in a large pot, stir in sea salt and garlic, stirring for 1 minute until garlic is fragrant.
  • Remove pot from heat, add bread cubes and using a large spoon toss until seasoned butter is soaked into bread evenly. Spread croutons on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake 15-20 minutes until evenly browned, using a spatula, toss once or twice during baking time so all sides are toasted.
  • Store cooled croutons in a ziplock bag or an airtight storage container on the counter for up to 3-5 days. Up to a week in the refrigerator (you may need to toss them for a few minutes in a hot pan to crisp them up again) or up to 3 months in the freezer.
  • VariationsSprinkle ¼ cup fine grated parmesan cheese over the tops of croutons before baking. Add other herbs and spices, try 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, basil or thyme (or all three), toss with butter. Don’t want to use all butter; use equal amounts of olive oil or avocado oil; or half butter, half olive oil. Don’t have fresh garlic? Add a teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
Last step! Leave a RatingRate this recipe here. This helps other readers and helps support this website.

Notes

You can use all sorts of other breads, see post for list of ideas!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 791mg | Potassium: 87mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 471IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 3mg
Did you make my Homemade Croutons?Show it off! Share on Instagram, tag @thefreshcooky, and use the hashtag #thefreshcooky!
Tag on Insta Leave a Rating

Share This!

124 shares
  • Share
  • X
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • SMS

butter French bread garlic

Kathleen Pope

Meet Kathleen

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, Iโ€™m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.

Read More

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter / X
  • Mastadon

Join the Recipe Club!

Get my free eBook, Fresh Fridays emails, and never miss a recipe.

Unsubscribe anytime (privacy policy).

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Rate & Comment Cancel reply

    Have a question, comment, or suggestions about this recipe? If you had any trouble, I would love a chance to help you troubleshoot before you rate. Constructive criticism is welcome, but please be respectful. Rude or inappropriate comments will not be approved. Your email address will not be published.

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Amy Nash

    Wed, Apr 22, 2020 at 2:11 pm

    5 stars
    I used a homemade sourdough loaf (I’ve been practicing!) and it made delicious croutons using this recipe! They were so easy and so good!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Kathleen Pope

Meet Kathleen

Hey there! I'm Kathleen Pope, a proud wife, mom of two awesome college boys, and recipe nerd. Welcome to my world of easy recipes with a healthy twist! Join thousands who trust The Fresh Cooky as their go-to recipe source. Let's cook up some magic!

Read More

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter / X
  • Mastadon

Join the Recipe Club!

Get my free eBook, Fresh Fridays emails, and never miss a recipe.

Unsubscribe anytime (privacy policy).

Trending Now

  • Crumbl cookie with milk chocolate chips.Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookie
  • Easy and Quick Pizza Dough Recipe with dough on floured surface square.Easy No Rise Pizza Dough Recipe
  • Spiral sliced ham with honey baked ham glaze in roasting pan.How to Cook Spiral Ham
  • Best shaved steak recipes, round up picture with Philly cheesesteak, steak bomb, steak fajitas and stuffed peppers.39 Best Shaved Steak Recipes (Easy Steak Meals)
  • Square image of whole easy key lime pie with dollops of whipped cream and decorated with wedges of key limes.Award Winning Recipe for Key Lime Pie
  • Philly cheese steak sandwich on a tray with french fries surrounding it.Best Philly Cheesesteak Recipe
The Fresh Cooky
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter / X
  • Mastadon

Subscribe Now

by Course

  • Appetizers & Snacks
  • Breads
  • Drinks
  • Main Dishes
  • Salads & Dressings
  • Sauces & Condiments
  • Side Dishes
  • Sweets

Holidays

  • Thanksgiving
  • Holiday Appetizers
  • Holiday Breakfast
  • Holiday Drinks
  • Holiday Main Dish
  • Holiday Side Dish
  • Holiday Sweets
  • Game Day Recipes

By Cuisine

  • Asian
  • German
  • Italian
  • Mexican

By Diet

  • Gluten-Free
  • Low Carb
  • Vegetarian

By Meal Type

  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Easy Weeknight Meals
  • Freezer Meals
  • Kid-Friendly
  • Make Ahead

By Method

  • Air Fryer
  • Crockpot
  • Grilled
  • Instant Pot
  • One Pot
  • Sheet Pan
  • Stovetop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Subscribe

Copyright © 2025 ยท The Fresh Cooky ยท Privacy & Disclosure Policy

124 shares
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Save
  • Reddit

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe.

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required