Croutons

Croutons

15 min
Turn leftover bread into delicious homemade croutons in no time. With a few simple ingredients, bread cubes are transformed into a delightful, golden crunch infused with buttery, toasted flavours. Serve them with your favourite soups and salads to add crunch and texture.
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Instructions

  • Cut bread into cubes.
  • Heat olive oil in a frying pan and add butter.
  • Add bread cubes to the pan and toast them for about 10 minutes over medium heat until golden. Turn occasionally.
  • Sprinkle with salt.
Enjoy!
Tips

For the best results, use a non-stick frying pan to prevent the croutons from sticking and to ensure even browning.

Tips

If you prefer, place the bread cubes on a baking tray with oil and butter and prepare them in the oven instead.

Questions about homemade croutons

Making homemade croutons is easy and yields a delicious result. So why not get cooking so you can sprinkle them over your favourite dishes? Keep reading to learn more about the crispy, toasted treats.

How long do homemade croutons last?
Homemade croutons can usually last up to 1 week. However, they might last longer depending on their preparation, bread type, and storage. Thoroughly toasted croutons made from dry bread and stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place can keep well for 1-2 weeks.
What are croutons made of?
Croutons are typically made of bread, butter or oil, and a pinch of salt. This is the classic, straightforward way, but you can also add herbs, spices, or other ingredients like cheese for extra flavour.
Can you freeze homemade croutons?
Yes, you can freeze homemade croutons. Store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Make sure they are completely cool before freezing. After freezing, thaw them at room temperature, and when you are ready to use them, reheat them in the oven or a toaster oven to restore their crispiness. The dry heat helps drive off any moisture the croutons may have absorbed, bringing back their crunchy texture.
How to store croutons?
Store croutons in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. The airtight container will keep moisture out and retain the crispness.
Can you put croutons in the fridge?
No, it is best not to store croutons in the fridge as they can become soggy. Storing them at room temperature or freezing them is ideal to keep them crisp.

Ingredients

Bread, preferably day-old
150 g
Olive oil
1 tbsp
Butter
15 g
Coarse salt
½ tsp
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Try this easy recipe for homemade croutons

Delight in the pure pleasure of toasted, crispy homemade croutons. This easy recipe requires just a few simple ingredients and transforms day-old bread into a crispy, golden treat. The best thing is that you do not even have to turn on the oven; you simply use a frying pan, which gives you complete control over the process, so you get the perfect croutons. Golden and crispy, they are ideal for enhancing your favourite dishes with a slight crunch and a touch of toasted flavours.

The best bread for croutons

You can use any bread, but the perfect crouton bread toasts well and holds its shape and texture without becoming too hard or chewy. Different types add different flavours, and you can also use a mix of bread types to get slightly different textures and flavours in the same batch of croutons.

If you use day-old bread, you can use everything from white to whole wheat sandwich bread. Generally, slightly stale bread, regardless of the type, is better for croutons than fresh bread. It is drier, so it toasts better and absorbs the butter and oil more effectively.

Sourdough is known for its sturdy crust and chewy interior, and it holds up well to toasting and provides a nice crunch and a slightly tangy flavour.

Baguette or ciabatta have a good crust and light and airy crumb. They toast up nicely, offering a good balance of crunch and chewiness.

Sweet brioche is ideal if you prefer richer, buttery croutons. Brioche and similar sweet bread will give you a softer, more indulgent crouton.

Elevate your meals with crunchy croutons

Croutons are perfect for any dish that needs a bit of crunch. They are especially delicious in soups and fresh salads. In soups, they add texture in the form of a nice chewy crunch, and they are delicious in most variations. Try it in, for example, this tomato and lentil soup or our rich cheese soup.

The crispy bites are also delicious on salads, whether a fresh summer salad or a rich winter salad. We use croutons on this green salad with salad cheese and this asparagus and tomato salad. They can also add a crispness to a lentil salad or a quinoa salad with chicken.

Experiment with flavours and seasoning

The toasted, buttery flavour is delicious, but you can also add other flavours and seasonings to your croutons. Shake things up with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for an aromatic touch, or sprinkle with spices like garlic powder or chilli powder for a savoury, spicy kick.

Cheese lovers can toss the bread cubes with cheese before toasting. Try grated Parmesan for a salty touch, grated cheddar for a warm, deep flavour, or crumbled blue cheese for a pungent kick. Parmesan results in a crisp, slightly cheesy crust, while cheddar tends to melt more, giving a richer, chewier edge. Blue cheese might not crisp as much, leading to a softer, moister crust. When making cheese croutons, it is best to toast them at a slightly lower temperature and for a longer time, allowing the cheese to melt and the croutons to crisp without burning.

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