Homemade Croutons from Stale Bread
An easy, practical way to turn stale bread into crunchy, homemade croutons using a simple oven method. Season them how you like, store them properly, and enjoy crisp croutons for days.
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Ingredients
- 4 cups Stale Bread cubed or torn into ¾–1-inch pieces
- 3-4 tablespoons Olive Oil or more as needed
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Dried Parsley optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Cube or tear the stale bread into bite-size pieces. If the loaf is extremely hard, use a serrated knife to make it easier.4 cups Stale Bread
- Add the bread pieces to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss with your hands until everything is lightly coated.3-4 tablespoons Olive Oil
- Sprinkle in the garlic powder, salt, pepper, and dried parsley. Toss again to distribute the seasoning evenly.½ teaspoon Garlic Powder, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper, 1 teaspoon Dried Parsley
- Spread the seasoned bread on a baking sheet in a single layer, giving the pieces plenty of space.
- Bake for 12–20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Soft breads crisp quickly; dense or very stale breads need the full time.
- When the edges are golden and the centers feel dry, remove the pan from the oven.
- Let the croutons cool completely on the pan before storing. Any warmth will create steam and soften them.
Notes
- For very stale or dense bread, pre-dry cubes at 300°F for 5 minutes before adding oil and seasonings.
- Butter adds great flavor but shortens shelf life. Oil keeps croutons crispy longer.
- To freeze, spread cooled croutons on a sheet pan, freeze until solid, then store in a freezer bag. Re-crisp at 300°F for 3–4 minutes.
Nutrition
Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 311mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2mg
Servings: 6 cups
Calories: 148kcal
Cost: $1.00