Croutons
Homemade croutons are a simple yet flavourful addition to salads, soups, and more, elevating any dish with their satisfying crunch. Made from day-old bread, they are seasoned with herbs, garlic, and olive oil, then baked or pan-fried until golden and crispy. The process allows you to customize the flavour, making them as simple or as bold as you like. Not only do homemade croutons add texture and taste, but they also offer a great way to reduce food waste by repurposing leftover bread into a delicious topping.
In this blog post, you learned how to make homemade croutons.
How to Make Croutons
Take your stale or leftover bread and cut it up into 1/2″ square cubes. Try to keep the bread chunks as uniform as possible so that the croutons cook evenly. Place the bread chunks in a medium bowl and pour the olive oil on top of them. Mix them around with a silicone spatula. Next, add half of all of your spices. Mix your bread chunks around then add the rest of the spices. Pour your seasoned bread chunks into the air fryer and bake for 10 minutes making sure to stir them approximately every two minutes.
What is the Best Bread to Use?
The best bread to use for croutons is one with a sturdy texture that can hold up to toasting and absorb flavours well. Here are some great options:
- Sourdough
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- Qualities: Sourdough has a tangy flavour and a dense, chewy texture that crisps up beautifully when toasted. The slightly sour taste adds an extra dimension to the dish.
- Best For: Salads, soups, and dishes where you want a more flavourful, robust crouton.
- Baguette/French Bread
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- Qualities: French bread has a light, airy crumb with a crisp crust, making it ideal for crunchy croutons. Its neutral flavour makes it versatile for various seasonings.
- Best For: Classic croutons, perfect for Caesar salads and other dishes.
- Ciabatta
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- Qualities: Ciabatta has an open crumb and rustic texture, making it perfect for creating croutons with plenty of nooks and crannies for seasoning to cling to.
- Best For: Soups and salads where you want more texture and crispiness.
- Whole Wheat Bread
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- Qualities: Whole wheat bread adds a nutty flavour and a slightly heartier texture, which works well for making them more substantial.
- Best For: Healthier crouton options with a rich, earthy flavour.
- Rye Bread
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- Qualities: Rye bread has a robust, slightly bitter flavour, perfect for adding depth to them. Its dense texture holds up well when toasted.
- Best For: Unique croutons with a deeper flavour profile, especially for pairing with creamy soups.
- White Sandwich Bread
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- Qualities: White sandwich bread has a soft, fine texture that produces light and crispy croutons when toasted. It absorbs seasonings easily, making it versatile, though the croutons may be slightly more delicate than those from denser breads.
- Best For: Everyday croutons for salads, soups, or stuffing, offering a neutral flavour and light crunch.
While sourdough and baguettes provide the most texture and flavour, white sandwich bread is a great option for lighter, more delicate croutons. It’s especially convenient for quick, homemade croutons.
Want to Try Making Your Own Bread? Click on the link below.
How to Store my Extra Croutons
To store croutons and keep them fresh and crispy, follow these steps:
Cool Completely: After baking or frying your croutons, let them cool completely at room temperature to prevent trapping moisture, which can make them soggy.
Airtight Container: Place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag to protect them from air and humidity. This helps maintain their crispness.
Room Temperature Storage: Store the container in a cool, dry place at room temperature. If properly stored, they can last for up to 1-2 weeks.
Freezing for Long-Term Storage: For longer storage, you can freeze them. Place them in a freezer-safe bag, squeeze out the air, and freeze for up to 1-2 months. Re-crisp them in the air fryer for a few minutes before use.
Following these tips will keep your croutons crispy and fresh for an extended period!
Ingredients
Bread Chunks: the foundation of croutons, bread chunks provide the base that will absorb the flavours of the seasonings and olive oil. Cubed into 1/2″ pieces, the bread’s texture determines how crunchy or chewy they will be once toasted.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: olive oil coats the bread cubes, allowing them to toast evenly and develop a golden-brown, crispy exterior. It also imparts a rich, slightly fruity flavour that complements the herbs and seasonings.
Salt: salt enhances the overall flavour of the croutons, balancing the herbs and garlic while bringing out the natural taste of the bread.
Black Pepper: black pepper adds a mild heat and a hint of spice, contributing to the croutons’ savoury flavour profile.
Thyme: thyme offers an earthy, slightly minty flavour that adds depth to the croutons, making them more aromatic and flavourful.
Oregano: oregano provides a robust, peppery taste with a hint of bitterness, adding an Italian-inspired flavour that pairs well with the bread and olive oil.
Garlic Powder: garlic powder infuses the croutons with a savoury, slightly pungent flavour, giving them a classic taste that complements many dishes, particularly salads and soups.
Tips
- Different types of bread can result in different kinds of crouton flavours. See my list up above to choose the best bread kind for you.
- Make sure to cut up your bread chunks into uniform pieces so that they cook evenly.
- You can add different kinds of spices if you want the croutons to have a different flavour or add no spices if you only want plain croutons.
- You can use these in soups or on salads and on so many different recipes.
- Store your extra croutons in the freezer for the future!
Homemade Croutons
Ingredients
- 2 c. bread chunks cubed into 1/2" cubes
- 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. thyme
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
Instructions
- Take your loaf of bread and cut it up into 1/2” uniform cubes. Take your two cups of bread chunks and place into a medium bowl.
- Pour the olive oil onto the bread chunks and mix with a silicone spatula. Season with half of the spices and mix. Then season with the rest of the spices and give that a final mix.
- Pour into the air fryer and bake at 400℉/200℃/Gas Mark 6 for 10 minutes. Making sure to stir about every 2 minutes for even baking.
Notes
In this blog post, you learned how to make homemade croutons.