Crunchy croutons are one of the most popular snacks out there. Making croutons at home is as easy as pie, so don’t rush to throw away that stale bread. In just a few minutes, you can turn it into a delicious homemade treat. Skip the store-bought bags loaded with flavorings, stabilizers, and other additives you can’t even pronounce — they’re not exactly healthy.
Homemade oven-baked croutons are much easier on the digestive system. Dried bread is also a good source of essential minerals like iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and calcium. AdmiGram.com has rounded up the simplest and tastiest recipes for homemade croutons.
Croutons in the Oven: Best Homemade Recipes
Cheese Croutons
© Colette Leclair
Ingredients:
- Bread: wheat or rye
- Hard cheese: 2 oz (50 g)
- Garlic: 2 cloves
- Vegetable oil: 2 tablespoons
- Salt, spices, ginger, black pepper: to taste
Directions:
Slice the bread into small cubes or slices. Sprinkle with the spices, crushed garlic, and salt, then toss well and drizzle lightly with vegetable oil. Spread evenly on a dry baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven for 10–15 minutes. Once the croutons start to brown, pull out the baking sheet and sprinkle finely grated cheese on top. Return to the oven until the cheese melts. Serve with hot soups or on their own as a snack.
Crostini
© Colette Leclair
Ingredients:
- Bread: baguette or Italian loaf
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic: 2 cloves
Directions:
Slice the bread. Mix the olive oil with the garlic and brush it evenly over the bread. Place the slices on a dry baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven for 10–15 minutes, turning a few times with a fork. Once golden brown, remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm.
Butter Croutons
© Colette Leclair
Ingredients:
- Bread: wheat loaf
- Butter: 2 oz (50 g), at room temperature
- Salt: to taste
Directions:
Cut the bread into long slices so each one can be evenly coated with the softened butter. Then cut the buttered slices into cubes and arrange them on a dry baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven for 10–15 minutes, leaving the oven door slightly ajar to let the moisture escape. Stir a few times during baking. Once the croutons start to crisp up and turn golden brown, remove from the oven and let cool. Serve warm.
Garlic Croutons (Beer Snack)
© Colette Leclair
Ingredients:
- Bread: wheat or rye
- Garlic: 3–4 cloves
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Herbs or spices of choice: to taste (something fragrant works well)
- Vegetable oil: 3–4 tablespoons
Directions:
Cut the bread into pieces. In a large bowl, combine the crushed garlic, salt, and herbs or spices with a tablespoon of vegetable oil and mix well. Add the bread pieces and toss vigorously until evenly coated. Spread on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven, stirring a few times so the croutons brown evenly. These make the perfect snack with beer.
Sweet Tea Croutons
© Colette Leclair
Ingredients:
- Bread: loaf
- Sugar: 4–5 tablespoons
- Vanilla sugar: 1 teaspoon (or ½ teaspoon vanilla extract)
- Cinnamon: 1–2 teaspoons
- Brandy or rum: 1 tablespoon
Directions:
Cut the bread into large, bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla sugar, then stir in the rum or brandy. Coat the bread pieces on both sides with the mixture and arrange them on a baking sheet. Bake in a moderate 325°F (165°C) oven for 20–30 minutes, until dry and golden brown. Serve with tea, coffee, or hot milk.
image on top: Colette Leclair
