How to Make Croutons out of Bread

How to Make Croutons out of Bread

Croutons are an easy and delicious way to spice up your salad or side dish. You can make them as healthy or as decadent as you want by adding whatever flavoring strikes your fancy.

Croutons are a bread topping with a crunchy texture, served as an addition to salads or soups or as an ingredient in stuffing’s. They can be homemade or commercially prepared from bread cubes, chunks, or crumbs that are browned in butter or oil and seasoned.

Croutons are sometimes the most exciting and flavorful part of a salad, depending on how they are prepared. Homemade croutons are surprisingly easy to make and could be flavored with any herb of your choice. This article will go over a few ways to get you started. Additional information: you can use any dough in making croutons, like sourdough bread; you can check that out at My Daily Sour Dough Bread.

Recipe 1: Traditional Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil Croutons

Ingredients:

• 1 Loaf of bread (white, wheat, or sourdough)

• 3 Tablespoons olive oil or melted butter

• 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar or brown sugar

• Salt and ground pepper to taste

• 2 Tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves, optional

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and cut the bread into 1-inch cubes. For a softer crouton, you can go for thicker slices of bread. Toss gently with the olive oil or melted butter, balsamic vinegar, or brown sugar until well coated.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through baking. If you like a crispier crouton, you can cook these for 12 minutes to get a more flaky texture. Serve warm or at room temperature, sprinkled with fresh parsley if desired.

This recipe makes about 3 cups. These traditional styles of croutons are extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Some of the most popular ways to serve this kind are with Italian-style salads or over fresh greens. This is one of the most common ways to prepare croutons from bread and is usually a crowd favorite. This recipe is similar to what you would find in many restaurants.

Recipe 2: Zesty, Cheesy Croutons

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of bread (white, wheat, sourdough)

• cup shredded Parmesan cheese

• cup shredded Cheddar cheese

• cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 6 Tablespoons butter

• 1 Tablespoon minced onion

Instructions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine all the cheeses in a large bowl and toss with butter and onion. On a separate cookie sheet, spread out the bread cubes and place them in the oven for 10 minutes, stirring once at the halfway point.

Let it cool slightly, then add the cheese mixture. Bake for 10 more minutes, stirring once halfway through. Be aware that the cheese topping can easily burn, so you’ll want to keep an eye on these while they’re cooking. Serve it warm or at room temperature.

This recipe makes about 3 cups as well. This is a fun spin on croutons that you can really personalize depending on what cheeses you prefer. You can add in other cheese options, like Asiago or Manchego, for an even zestier taste. This type of crouton is paired great with a hearty tomato soup or French onion soup.

Additional tips:

You can also recreate these recipes with gluten-free bread if you are preparing them for someone with gluten intolerance. Another healthy spin on these recipes is to use avocado oil instead of butter if you want a lighter taste. If you don’t have time to bake your croutons, you can also try frying them in a pan with a little bit of oil for an even quicker version of these recipes.

If you want to really get creative, you can try making these in an air fryer as well. The easiest alternative is to go to your nearest shop and buy some from many manufacturers. But if you are on a vegan diet, be sure to check if croutons are vegan or not.

Final Thoughts

Traditional balsamic vinegar and olive oil croutons are a delicious, easy way to brighten up any salad or soup. For a more unique option, try the zesty cheesy croutons recipe and customize it as you wish. To create your own favorite recipe, experiment with different cheeses, herbs, sweeteners, spices, and types of bread. Croutons are easy to customize to your preferred taste, making them a great addition to an otherwise boring meal. Be sure to give these two recipes a try and enjoy your new favorite ways to make croutons!