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Easy Homemade Garlic Croutons

  • Writer: Lauren Morgan
    Lauren Morgan
  • Apr 6
  • 2 min read

Crispy, Buttery, and Full of Flavor 🥖🧄✨

Once you make these homemade garlic croutons, you’ll never go back to store-bought again. They're crispy, golden, and loaded with garlicky, buttery flavor—the perfect crunchy addition to your favorite salads, soups, and even pasta dishes.

Made with just a few ingredients and ready in under 20 minutes, this recipe is a simple and delicious way to use up leftover bread and elevate any meal. Whether you like your croutons super crunchy or a little chewy in the middle, this method is easy to customize.



Why You’ll Love These Croutons

✔ Quick & Easy – Ready in about 15 minutes✔ Customizable – Use your favorite bread and adjust the seasoning to your taste✔ Crispy & Flavor-Packed – Golden brown with garlic and herbs in every bite✔ Perfect for Salads, Soups & More – Adds crunch and flavor to everything!

The Recipe: Homemade Garlic Croutons

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups day-old bread, cut into ¾-inch cubes (French, sourdough, or ciabatta work great!)

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter (or a mix of both!)

  • 2–3 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional: oregano, thyme, or parsley)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.

2. Prep the Croutons

  • In a large bowl, combine the olive oil or butter, minced garlic, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.

  • Add the cubed bread and toss until every piece is evenly coated.

📌 Pro Tip: Use day-old or slightly dried-out bread—it holds up better and gets crispier in the oven!

3. Bake

  • Spread the coated bread cubes out in a single layer on your baking sheet.

  • Bake for 12–15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the croutons are golden brown and crispy on the outside.

  • Let cool completely before storing (they crisp up more as they cool!).

How to Store Homemade Croutons

🥖 Cool Completely: Let the croutons cool to room temperature so they stay crisp.🫙 Store in an Airtight Container: Keep at room temp for up to 1 week.❄️ Freeze for Later: Freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months—just re-crisp in the oven for a few minutes before using.

Ways to Use Garlic Croutons

🥗 On Salads: Toss into Caesar salad, garden greens, or kale salad🍲 In Soups: Add to tomato soup, French onion, or creamy chowders for crunch🍝 As a Topping: Sprinkle over mac & cheese, casseroles, or pasta bakes🍳 In Scrambles or Breakfast Bowls: A crispy surprise in savory breakfasts

Why Homemade Croutons Are Worth It

Once you make your own garlic croutons, you’ll wonder why you ever bought the bagged kind. They’re crunchy, flavorful, and customizable—plus they make the perfect use for that half loaf of bread sitting on your counter.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see your crouton creations! Tag me on Instagram @WeeknightHomemaker and share how you’re using them.

Happy cooking & crunchy toppings!Lauren 💕

 
 
 
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