Upgrade your salads and soups with the savory delight of homemade Garlic Parmesan Croutons. Easy to make and full of flavor!
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Elevate Your Dishes with Homemade Garlic Parmesan Croutons
When it comes to adding a delightful crunch and burst of flavor to your salads and soups or even enjoying them as a savory snack, homemade croutons are the way to go.
Why Homemade Croutons?
This Garlic Parmesan Croutons recipe is an excellent one to have in your repertoire. It’s not only a fantastic way to use up the last bits of bread or those slightly stale loaves that have seen better days, but it also elevates your dishes to a whole new level.
Versatile Ingredients
One of the great things about making croutons at home is the flexibility in your choice of bread. While French Bread is a preferred option for its texture and flavor, you can also use regular white or wheat bread slices to whip up these flavorful morsels.
Cost-Efficient and Flavorful
Once you start making your own croutons, it’s hard to go back to store-bought varieties. These homemade Garlic Parmesan Croutons not only cost less, but they also offer a depth of flavor and freshness that store-bought croutons simply can’t match.
Perfect for Any Dish
Whether you’re looking to spruce up a classic Caesar salad, add a finishing touch to a comforting bowl of tomato soup, or simply savor them as a standalone snack, these Garlic Parmesan Croutons have got you covered.
Let me show you how easy it is to make your very own homemade croutons recipe at home …
Garlic Parmesan Croutons: Ingredients & Equipment
To make this homemade croutons recipe, you will need …
Ingredients
- butter – If you don’t have butter, you can use olive oil or vegetable oil as a substitute. This will still provide the necessary fat to coat the bread cubes.
- grated Parmesan cheese – If you’re out of Parmesan cheese, you can use other hard cheeses like Pecorino Romano or Asiago. Alternatively, you can use nutritional yeast for a vegan option to achieve a cheesy flavor. This ingredient can also be omitted for a non-cheesy crouton.
- dried oregano and dried thyme – If you don’t have oregano or thyme, you can use other dried herbs like basil, rosemary, or Italian seasoning. Experiment with your favorite herbs to customize the flavor.
- garlic powder – Fresh minced garlic can be used as a substitute for garlic powder. One clove of minced garlic is roughly equivalent to 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- salt – If you’re watching your sodium intake or simply prefer a different seasoning, you can use kosher salt, sea salt, or even a salt substitute like Mrs. Dash.
- day-old bread – While the recipe calls for day-old bread, you can use fresh bread if that’s what you have. Just keep in mind that fresh bread might require a little more baking time to become properly crispy.
Equipment
- large bowl
- rubber spatula
- baking sheet
Serving Suggestions for Garlic Parmesan Croutons
- Salads: The classic use for croutons is to add them to salads. Toss them into your favorite green salad, Caesar salad, or Caprese salad for an extra layer of texture and flavor.
- Soups: Float a handful of Garlic Parmesan Croutons on top of your favorite soups, such as tomato soup, potato soup, or minestrone. They not only provide a delightful crunch but also infuse your soup with a burst of garlicky goodness.
- Pasta Dishes: Sprinkle croutons on top of pasta dishes like spaghetti carbonara or creamy fettuccine Alfredo for an unexpected twist.
- Chili: Croutons can add a satisfying crunch to a bowl of hearty chili. Simply scatter them on top of your chili before serving.
- Casserole Topping: Use croutons as a creative topping for casseroles, such as macaroni and cheese or baked chicken dishes. They’ll become golden and crispy in the oven.
- Snacking: Enjoy Garlic Parmesan Croutons as a standalone snack. Their savory, cheesy flavor makes them addictive on their own.
- Appetizers: Use them as a garnish for appetizers like bruschetta, spinach and artichoke dip, or a charcuterie board for added texture and flavor.
- Stuffed Vegetables: When preparing stuffed vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms, mix croutons into the filling for an extra layer of taste and texture.
- Breakfast: Top your morning scrambled eggs or omelets with a few croutons for a unique and savory breakfast twist.
- Garnish: Use them as a garnish for creamy risotto, adding a delightful contrast to the creamy rice.
- Side Dish: Serve Garlic Parmesan Croutons as a side dish alongside roasted vegetables or grilled meats for added crunch and flavor.
Homemade Croutons: FAQs
Sturdy bread like French bread, baguette, or Italian bread works well. Day-old or slightly stale bread is often preferred, as it absorbs flavors and becomes crispy when toasted.
Yes, you can use gluten-free bread to make croutons. Look for gluten-free bread that’s sturdy enough to hold up when toasted.
Store homemade croutons in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay crispy for several days to a week.
Yes, you can freeze this homemade croutons recipe. Place them in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag, and they can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
If your croutons have become soggy, you can re-crisp them by placing them on a baking sheet and reheating them in a preheated oven at 350°F for a few minutes until they regain their crispiness.
Yes, you can make sweet croutons for desserts. Use bread cubes, toss them in melted butter and cinnamon sugar, and bake until they’re crispy. They make a great topping for ice cream or fruit salads.
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Garlic Parmesan Croutons
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoons dried thyme
- ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 5 slices day-old bread 3/4-inch thick, cut into cubes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- In a large bowl, mix butter, Parmesan cheese, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and salt together. Add bread cubes and gently mix with a spatula to coat. Spread coated bread cubes onto a baking sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 12-18 minutes. Cool croutons completely before using.
- Store in an airtight container.
Notes
- You can remove the crusts from the bread if you prefer.
- Almost any kind of bread can be turned into croutons – leftover hot dog and hamburger buns, sandwich bread, baguettes, etc. I like to save odds and ends pieces of bread in a ziptop bag in the freezer until I have enough bread to make croutons.
How do I store homemade croutons?
- Store homemade croutons in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay crispy for several days to a week.
Can I freeze homemade croutons?
- Yes, you can freeze homemade croutons. Place them in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag, and they can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
How do I re-crisp soggy croutons?
- If your croutons have become soggy, you can re-crisp them by placing them on a baking sheet and reheating them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until they regain their crispiness.
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
Originally published on December 29, 2015. Updated on January 25, 2024.
Jamie, these look delicious and so much better than from a box! Pinned! Wishing you and your family health, happiness and joy for 2016! Hugs!
I love making homemade croutons, and these look absolutely delicious, Jamie! I don't think these would make it the salad, though. 🙂
Homemade croutons are SO much better than store bought. These ones look especially delicious!