The Ultimate Guide to Homemade Garlic Parmesan Croutons: Crispy, Flavorful & Easy

Making Homemade Croutons is surprisingly easy – all you need are a few basic ingredients like bread, oil, and your favorite seasonings. The result? Croutons that are not only significantly cheaper but also far superior in taste and texture compared to anything you can buy in a store. Get ready to elevate your salads, soups, and more with this simple recipe.

In our home, Caesar salad is a beloved staple. Whether it’s topped with succulent Cajun chicken, tender rotisserie chicken, or flakes of leftover salmon, it’s a meal that consistently brings joy to the table. And sometimes, the simplest version – a generous bowl of crisp romaine, classic dressing, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and a shower of crunchy croutons – is all you need for a satisfying, fresh dish. One truth universally acknowledged in my household is that a Caesar salad simply isn’t complete without croutons, and crucially, those croutons are always at their absolute best when they’re made right here at home.

Why Choose Homemade Croutons Over Store-Bought?

Croutons are one of those everyday items that carry an astonishingly high markup when purchased from the grocery store. Just think about it: at their core, they are merely pieces of bread, often day-old or stale, combined with some form of fat, a blend of seasonings, and perhaps a touch of cheese. When you take the small amount of time to make them yourself, you gain complete control. You select quality ingredients, ensuring a healthier and more flavorful product, all while spending a mere fraction of the cost. This recipe focuses on creating the most delicious and easy Homemade Croutons with Garlic and Parmesan, guaranteeing a fresh, robust flavor and perfect crunch every time.

Crafting Your Perfect Homemade Garlic Parmesan Croutons: A Simple Guide

The most demanding step in the entire crouton-making process is arguably cutting the bread. Having a sharp bread knife can make this task significantly easier, especially if you’re working with a loaf that has a particularly crusty exterior. I’ve found it incredibly convenient to cube the ends of bread loaves as they start to become a little stale, then store these bread cubes in a Ziploc bag in the freezer. This smart prep means I always have a supply ready for when I need to whip up a batch of croutons, or even if I get an urge to make a savory stuffing. It’s a fantastic way to prevent food waste and always be prepared for delicious additions to your meals.

Once your bread is perfectly cubed, the rest of the process is wonderfully straightforward. Simply transfer the cubes to a large bowl and toss them generously with a drizzle of olive oil, finely minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, a pinch of salt, and a dash of freshly ground black pepper. Ensure every cube is well coated with this flavorful mixture. Then, spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet, pop them into the oven, and in a short while, they’ll be golden, crispy, and ready to be tossed into your favorite salads or floated atop a comforting bowl of soup.

Storing Your Homemade Croutons for Maximum Freshness

To keep your homemade croutons at their peak crispness and flavor, store them in an airtight container or a robust zipper bag at room temperature. They will remain fresh and crunchy for up to a week. If you’ve made a larger batch or don’t anticipate using them within that timeframe, you can extend their shelf life significantly by storing them in the freezer. In the freezer, they’ll maintain their quality for up to six months, ready to be pulled out and used directly from frozen without any need for thawing.

The Essential Ingredients for Homemade Garlic Parmesan Croutons:

• Olive oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil adds depth of flavor and helps achieve that golden crispness. You can also experiment with other oils like avocado oil for a slightly different flavor profile.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is key for that pungent, aromatic kick. For a milder garlic flavor or if fresh garlic isn’t available, you can use garlic powder (about 1/2 teaspoon for this recipe).
• Cubed high-quality, stale bread: This is the foundation of your croutons. Stale bread works best as it absorbs the oil and seasonings more effectively and toasts up crispier.
  • For the crunchiest croutons: Opt for a chewy, crusty artisan bread like sourdough, ciabatta, or a French baguette. Their dense texture and sturdy crumb hold up beautifully during baking.
  • For softer, melt-in-your-mouth croutons: Sandwich bread or brioche will yield a lighter, more tender crouton.
  • For gluten-free croutons: Simply substitute with your favorite high-quality gluten-free bread. The method remains the same.
• Shredded Parmesan cheese: Freshly shredded Parmesan provides the best flavor and melts beautifully into the bread, creating savory pockets of deliciousness. Pre-shredded varieties can work in a pinch but may not offer the same intensity.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning. This is also a fantastic recipe to experiment with MSG-salt if you’re open to it, as it significantly enhances the umami flavor of the Parmesan and overall savoriness.
• Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and balances the other flavors. Adjust to your preference.

Tips for the Crispiest Croutons:

Achieving that perfect, shatteringly crisp texture is easier than you might think. Here are a few pointers:

• Stale Bread is Your Friend: As mentioned, stale bread has less moisture, which is ideal for drying out and becoming crisp in the oven. If your bread isn’t stale, you can lightly toast it in the oven for 5-10 minutes before adding the oil and seasonings.
• Even Cubes: Try to cut your bread into uniform cubes. This ensures they bake evenly, preventing some from burning while others remain soft.
• Don’t Skimp on Oil: The oil is crucial for browning and crisping. Ensure every bread cube is lightly coated.
• Single Layer Baking: Overcrowding the baking sheet will steam the bread instead of toasting it, resulting in soggy croutons. Use multiple baking sheets if necessary to ensure a single, even layer.
• Stir Often: Stirring the croutons every 3-4 minutes during baking helps them brown evenly on all sides.
• Cool Completely: Croutons will continue to crisp as they cool. Don’t store them until they are completely cooled to room temperature.

Creative Ways to Use Your Homemade Croutons:

While often associated with salads, especially Caesar, homemade croutons are incredibly versatile. Don’t limit their delicious crunch to just one dish! Here are some ideas to inspire you:

• Soup Topping: Add a delightful texture and burst of flavor to creamy tomato soup, French onion soup, minestrone, or even a simple chicken noodle soup.
• Snack Attack: Enjoy them plain as a savory snack. They’re much healthier and more satisfying than potato chips!
• On Top of Casseroles: Sprinkle them over cheesy gratins or vegetable casseroles during the last few minutes of baking for a golden, crunchy crust.
• As a Side for Dips: Serve them alongside spinach and artichoke dip, hummus, or a warm cheese dip instead of crackers or pita bread.
• Breakfast Scrambles: Toss a few into scrambled eggs or a breakfast frittata for an unexpected crunch.
• Panzanella Salad: These croutons are perfect for soaking up delicious vinaigrettes in a traditional Italian bread salad.

Want More Delicious Recipes to Use Up Bread?

Bread is a wonderfully versatile ingredient, and there are countless ways to transform it into something new and exciting. If you find yourself with extra bread or want to explore more culinary creations, check out these fantastic recipes:

Homemade Garlic Parmesan Croutons: Nutrition Notes

Making croutons at home gives you complete control over their nutritional content. For instance, you can easily increase the fiber content by opting for whole-grain bread instead of white bread. This small change can make a big difference in your daily fiber intake. Additionally, if you are monitoring your sodium intake, this recipe allows for easy adjustments. Simply reduce the amount of salt by half, or even more, to significantly lower the sodium content in your croutons without sacrificing too much flavor, especially with the rich taste of Parmesan and garlic.

Carissa Serink

Garlic Parmesan Croutons

5 from 1 vote

Making Homemade Croutons is easy – all you need is bread, oil, and seasoning. They are cheaper and taste so much better than store-bought.

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Servings:

16
servings

Course:
Condiment

Cuisine:
American

Calories:
206

Prep Time

10 minutes
mins

Cook Time

10 minutes
mins

Total Time

20 minutes
mins

Cook Mode

Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
Method
Nutrition
Notes

Ingredients

  

• 
  ▢
  
  
  4
  Tablespoons
  olive oil

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  medium clove
  garlic
  minced

• 
  ▢
  
  
  4
  cups (10 ounces)
  cubed high quality, stale bread
  (use gluten free bread if you need to make gluten free croutons)

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1/2
  cup
  shredded Parmesan cheese

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1/2
  teaspoon
  salt

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1/4
  teaspoon
  freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

 

1. Heat oven to 400°F and move oven rack to the upper middle position. Mix olive oil and garlic together in a small bowl. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
2. Place cubed bread into a large bowl. Toss with olive oil/garlic mixture, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Spread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown, stirring every 3-4 minutes. Cool on baking sheet. Store in and airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Use in salads or soups.

Nutrition

Serving:
0.25
cup


Calories:
206
kcal


Carbohydrates:
28
g


Protein:
7
g


Fat:
7
g


Saturated Fat:
1
g


Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g


Monounsaturated Fat:
3
g


Trans Fat:
0.02
g


Cholesterol:
2
mg


Sodium:
403
mg


Potassium:
87
mg


Fiber:
2
g


Sugar:
3
g


Vitamin A:
26
IU


Vitamin C:
0.2
mg


Calcium:
111
mg


Iron:
2
mg

Notes

For crunchy croutons, use crusty artisan bread. For croutons that are a little softer, use sandwich bread.

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Conclusion: Elevate Your Meals with Homemade Croutons

Making your own garlic parmesan croutons is a simple yet incredibly rewarding endeavor. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also discover a depth of flavor and a satisfying crunch that store-bought versions simply can’t match. From the quality of the bread to the choice of seasonings, every aspect is within your control, allowing you to customize them to your exact preference. So next time you’re planning a salad, preparing a hearty soup, or just craving a delicious, crispy snack, skip the packaged croutons and try this easy homemade recipe. You’ll be amazed at the difference!