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Recipe by:

Sara Crocker

Rustic Homemade Croutons for Salads and Soups

Create rustic homemade croutons by tossing cubed, day-old bread in a flavorful mixture and baking until golden and crispy.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Group: Ingredients
  • 4 cups cubed bread (day-old, preferably sourdough or French)
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • Optional: Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for added flavor

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking sheet
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

  1. Begin by cubing your bread into about 1-inch pieces. If you're using fresh bread, let it sit for a few hours to dry out.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Toss the cubed bread in the oil mixture, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
  4. Spread the coated bread cubes evenly on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 15-20 minutes, tossing halfway through.
  5. Once the croutons are golden brown and crispy, let them cool on the baking sheet.
  6. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Notes

Homemade croutons minimize food waste by using leftover bread and enhance flavors of salads and soups.