Discover the crunch of homemade croutons! Infused with Italian seasoning and olive oil, these crispy delights are the perfect topping for soups, salads, and more. Quick and flavorful, they're an easy way to add a classic touch to your meals.
In a mixing bowl, blend together olive oil, Italian seasoning, and the selected basic seasonings from the ingredient list. Stir until evenly mixed, ensuring the flavors meld together. Set this aromatic mixture aside for later use.
Preparing the Bread
Slice the bread into cubes, each about ½ to 1 inch in size, aiming for uniformity to ensure even baking. Place these cubes in a large mixing bowl. Remember, a bit of unevenness in the cubes can add a charming, rustic touch to your homemade croutons.
Evenly pour the prepared seasoned oil over the bread cubes. Carefully stir the cubes, making sure each one is thoroughly coated with the flavorful oil for an evenly seasoned crunch.
Baking the Bread
Spread the oil-coated bread cubes on a parchment paper-lined baking tray, ensuring they are in a single layer for even baking.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Place the tray in the oven and bake the bread cubes for about 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-browning, looking for a golden, crunchy texture.
Once they've achieved a delicious golden crunch, remove the croutons from the oven. These freshly baked homemade croutons are now ready to be savored.
Serving
Enjoy these homemade croutons as a crunchy addition to salads and soups, or as a standalone snack. For more creative pairing ideas, refer to our serving suggestions section.
Notes
Here are some key tips to perfect your homemade croutons:
Oil Quality: The type of oil can greatly affect the flavor of your croutons. Extra virgin olive oil is a popular choice for its rich taste, but you can also experiment with other oils like avocado or coconut for a different flavor profile.
Moisture Control: If your bread isn't quite stale, you can briefly toast it in the oven before cutting it into cubes. This removes excess moisture and ensures a better crunch.
Herb Infusion: For an aromatic twist, infuse your oil with garlic or herbs like rosemary or thyme before mixing it with the bread. This adds a deeper flavor to the croutons.
Temperature Check: Use an oven thermometer to verify your oven's temperature. This ensures accurate baking and prevents under or overcooking.
Tossing Technique: Halfway through baking, you may toss or stir the croutons for even browning, but it's not necessary if you prefer not to, as perfect results are still achievable without this step as in my recipe.
Watchful Baking: Oven temperatures can vary, so keep a close eye on your croutons. The line between perfectly golden and overdone is thin.
Cooling Time: Let the croutons cool on the tray to crisp up further. This step solidifies their texture.
Cheese Addition: For a cheesy twist, sprinkle grated Parmesan or another hard cheese over the croutons a few minutes before the end of baking.
Residual Heat: Remember that croutons will continue to crisp up as they cool, so take them out just before they reach your desired level of crispness.
Healthier Options: For a healthier version, use whole grain or gluten-free bread and reduce the amount of oil.
Serving Size Tip: This base recipe produces about 8-9 cups of croutons from Italian bread, enough for up to 16 servings. Ideal as a salad or soup topping, each serving is approximately ½ cup, perfect for individual portions.