Crispy, Buttery Croutons You’ll Never Buy Again
If you’ve ever had a really good Caesar salad at a restaurant, you know the croutons are never those tiny hard cubes from a bag. They’re buttery, garlicky, perfectly crunchy on the outside and just a little tender inside.
That’s exactly what these homemade garlic croutons are.
They’re incredibly easy to make, take less than 30 minutes, and are the perfect way to use up leftover bread. Once you start making your own croutons at home, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.
Homemade croutons bake up crisp, golden, and packed with garlic flavor, and they instantly upgrade salads, soups, and even roasted vegetables.
Whether you’re topping a Caesar salad, a bowl of tomato soup, or a big farmhouse salad, these restaurant-style croutons add the perfect crunchy bite.
Why You’ll Love These Homemade Garlic Croutons
- Better than store-bought – no preservatives or mystery oils
- Uses leftover bread – perfect for day-old bread
- Restaurant-quality flavor – buttery, garlicky, and perfectly crisp
- Quick and easy – ready in about 25 minutes
- Great for meal prep – they keep well for days
Ingredients
- 4 cups crusty bread (French bread, sourdough, or Italian bread)
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
How to Make Homemade Garlic Croutons
1. Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut the bread
Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes. Slightly stale bread works best because it crisps up better in the oven.
3. Make the garlic butter
In a small bowl combine:
- melted butter
- olive oil
- minced garlic
- salt and pepper
Stir well.
4. Toss the bread
Place the bread cubes in a large bowl and pour the garlic butter mixture over them. Toss until every piece is coated.
5. Bake
Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on the baking sheet.
Bake for 15–20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the croutons are golden brown and crispy.
6. Cool
Let the croutons cool completely. They will become even crispier as they cool.
Tips for the Best Restaurant-Style Croutons
Use good bread
Crusty breads like French bread, sourdough, or baguette create the best texture.
Use day-old bread
Slightly stale bread holds its shape and crisps better during baking.
Don’t overcrowd the pan
Spread the bread cubes in a single layer so they toast instead of steaming.
Stir halfway through
This helps the croutons brown evenly.
Variations
Parmesan Garlic Croutons
Add ¼ cup grated parmesan during the last 5 minutes of baking.
Italian Herb Croutons
Add Italian seasoning, oregano, and basil to the butter mixture.
Spicy Croutons
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
How to Store Homemade Croutons
Store cooled croutons in an airtight container at room temperature.
They stay fresh for up to 1 week and can even be frozen for longer storage.
To re-crisp them, simply bake for a few minutes at 300°F.
Ways to Use Homemade Croutons
These crispy garlic croutons are perfect for:
You can also crush them to make homemade breadcrumbs.
Homemade Garlic Croutons (Restaurant-Style)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 CUPS 1x
Description
These homemade garlic croutons are buttery, crispy, and packed with flavor. Made with cubed bread tossed in garlic butter and baked until golden, they’re the perfect restaurant-style topping for salads and soups.
Ingredients
-
4 cups crusty bread, cubed (French bread or sourdough works best)
-
4 tablespoons butter, melted
-
2 tablespoons olive oil
-
3 cloves garlic, minced
-
½ teaspoon salt
-
¼ teaspoon black pepper
-
1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
-
¼ cup grated parmesan (optional)
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and place them in a large mixing bowl.
-
In a small bowl combine melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
-
Pour the garlic butter mixture over the bread cubes and toss until evenly coated.
-
Spread the bread cubes onto a baking sheet in a single layer.
-
Bake for 15–20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the croutons are golden and crispy.
-
If using parmesan, sprinkle it over the croutons during the last 5 minutes of baking.
-
Allow the croutons to cool before serving. They will become crispier as they cool.
Notes
-
Slightly stale bread makes the best croutons.
-
Use French bread, sourdough, or baguette for the best texture.
-
Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 10 MINUTES
- Cook Time: 15 MINUTES
- Category: BREAD, Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Frequently Asked Questions
What bread is best for croutons?
Crusty breads like French bread, sourdough, or Italian bread work best because they hold their shape and crisp up nicely in the oven.
Why are my croutons soggy?
Usually this happens if:
- the pan was overcrowded
- the croutons were stored before cooling
- they weren’t baked long enough
Can I make croutons in advance?
Yes! Homemade croutons keep well for several days when stored in an airtight container.
The Best Way to Upgrade Any Salad
Once you make these homemade garlic croutons, it’s hard to go back to the store-bought kind.
They’re buttery, crispy, full of garlic flavor, and they make even the simplest salad taste like something from a restaurant kitchen.
Make a double batch… because they tend to disappear fast.
