Homemade Croutons
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5.0
39 reviews
Excellent
Homemade Croutons
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Homemade croutons are the perfect touch for enhancing your favorite soups and salads. You can use just about any bread you have on hand (the recipe is written for French), but remember that loaves of different densities may take more or less time to bake to a crunchy crouton texture.
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Ingredients
Basic Croutons
- 1/2 loaf French bread (such as baguette or batard, about 8 ounces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt , plus additional for finishing (if desired)
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground or cracked black pepper
Garlic Croutons
- 2 large cloves garlic , chopped
Instructions
Basic Croutons
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cut bread into 3/4-inch cubes, discarding any very tough crusts. You should have about 3 cups of cubes.
- Melt together olive oil and butter in a small pot over medium heat. Add 1/4 teaspoon each kosher or sea salt and cracked black pepper.
- Toss bread cubes on a baking sheet with butter mixture. Spread cubes into an even layer and bake for 15 minutes. Stir cubes and continue baking for 5-10 minutes, until dry and light golden brown. (Baking times may vary by loaf.)
- While hot, sprinkle with additional kosher or sea salt and pepper, if desired. Cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month.
Garlic Croutons
- Add garlic to the seasoned melted butter and olive oil mixture. Simmer for 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant, but not brown. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool for 20 minutes.
- Strain garlic from butter/oil mixture through a mesh sieve, pressing on the garlic pieces with the back of a spoon. Discard the garlic and continue with the recipe as written.
- Short on time? Alternatively, you can substitute 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (add additional, to taste, if you like a stronger garlic flavor) instead of fresh chopped garlic. No need to steep.
Notes
- Fresh Herb Croutons: I like to add a tablespoon or two of chopped fresh herbs to the warm the butter (after steeping and straining, if you're using garlic), just before I toss it with the bread cubes. Fresh thyme, basil, or dill are some of my favorites.
- Dried Herb Croutons: When using dried herbs, you'll need a smaller quantity than fresh. Start by stirring 1/2 teaspoon of your favorite dried herbs into the warm butter mixture, adding additional to taste. (Quantity depends on the variety of dried herbs you're using and how fragrant they are.)
- Spiced Croutons: Try adding a bit of smoked paprika, chipotle powder, or Za'atar to the melted butter mixture. Depening on the spice, start with 1/4 teaspoon and increase, to taste.
- Parmesan Croutons: After your croutons have baked for about 10 minutes, sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and continue baking until croutons are crisp and toasted.
- Cinnamon-Sugar Croutons: Omit olive oil and use a full 1/4 cup of melted butter. After tossing with bread cubes, sprinkle on all sides with a mixture of 2 tablespoons granulated sugar mixed with 1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (to taste).
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
335kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
37g
(12%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
17g
(26%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Cholesterol
30mg
(10%)
Sodium
537mg
(22%)
Potassium
85mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
350IU
(7%)
Calcium
33mg
(3%)
Iron
2.4mg
(13%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 3cups croutons
Amount Per Serving
Calories 335 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 335kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 30mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 537mg | 22% |
| Potassium | 85mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 350IU | 7% |
| Calcium | 33mg | 3% |
| Iron | 2.4mg | 13% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
39 reviews
Excellent
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