Today, we are making croutons. These delightful little bites can elevate a simple salad as well as a complex soup. Often overlooked, these golden, crunchy cubes are seasoned with a variety of spices that add a burst of flavour to many dishes.

Croutons originated in France; the French discovered that reheating hard, dry bread makes it crunchier, leading to their creation. The term “crouton” comes from the French word “croûton,” meaning “small crust.” Croutons became popular in French cuisine, traditionally used as a garnish for soups and salads.

In France, wasting bread was frowned upon, which is why toasting stale bread into croutons became a common practice throughout Europe. The dry, hard bread was cut into small cubes, toasted, and enjoyed with soups or stews. Today, croutons are popular worldwide, especially in the United States. They are often mass-produced, come in a variety of flavors, and are readily available in stores. However, making croutons at home is a healthier alternative to buying them. Parmesan cheese gives croutons a rich flavor, while using Mature Cheddar adds a sharper taste.

Why choose homemade croutons?

You might be wondering why you should make croutons at home when it’s so easy to buy them at the store. While store-bought croutons are convenient, they often lack freshness and can be too salty. By making your own, you have complete control over the seasoning and can avoid preservatives and artificial flavors. Plus, you can customize the flavor to suit your personal taste. So, before you toss out that old baguette, consider turning it into a delicious batch of crunchy croutons.

Ingredients

A dry hard baguette, Garlic powder, Dried Oregano, Olive oil, Celery Salt.

The key to making the best croutons is to use sturdy rustic bread, such as a baguette, ciabatta, or sourdough. These types of bread hold their shape well when dried and absorb flavors without becoming soft or mushy. There are two methods for making croutons: on the stovetop or in the oven. This recipe focuses on the stovetop method, but information on baking croutons in the oven is also provided below.

Instructions

First, slice the baguette into 1-inch-thick slices. Then, cut them into 1-inch cubes. Add olive oil. Toss to coat the bread cubes with olive oil and toast them for five to eight minutes. Add the spices. Toss again.

You can skip the stove-top method and bake it in the oven for twenty minutes at a heat of 160 degrees. Simply add the cubed bread to a baking tray with parchment paper.

Drizzle with olive oil and the spices. You can also add an array of different spices such as paprika powder, cayenne pepper powder, barbecue spice, grated parmesan and more to create a variation of flavours.

Finely chopped parsley will also enhance the croutons. Dried parsley will also work. After it is baked, remove the croutons from the oven and enjoy.

What to Serve with Croutons

One of the best ways to enjoy Parmesan and parsley croutons is by adding them to a Caesar salad. They enhance the salad with extra texture and flavor. The Parmesan cheese contributes a nutty taste, while the parsley adds a touch of freshness. Smaller croutons are more suitable for salads as they are easier to chew alongside the vegetables. Croutons also make excellent toppings for creamy soups, providing a crunchy contrast to the smoothness.

Light soups pair well with larger slices of bread or buns, while creamy soups benefit from crispy croutons. They complement potato soup, mushroom soup, tomato soup, simple green salads, and cauliflower soup. In addition, adding croutons to dishes like fettuccine alfredo or carbonara enhances both the flavor and texture. They absorb the rich sauce, creating an interesting flavor profile. Croutons are also delicious on their own and can serve as a quick, easy appetizer when paired with pesto or a dipping sauce.

How to Store Croutons?

The stovetop method ensures that the croutons remain crispy and crunchy for up to five hours. Once the croutons have cooled, transfer them to an airtight container to preserve their crunch. If you want extra crunch that lasts the entire week, consider baking them in the oven. Store the baked croutons in an airtight container and enjoy!

Croutons

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Course: Cooking Tips, Salads

Cuisine: French

Prep Time: 2

Cook Time: 8

Total Time: 10

Servings: servings

Calories: 27kcal

Author: thetastejournal.com

Ingredients

▢ 4 Cups Dried baguette – 1 inch cubes
▢ 8 Tbsp Olive oil

Spices

▢ 1/4 tsp Celery salt – or plain salt
▢ 1/4 tsp Ground black pepper
▢ 1 tsp Garlic Powder
▢ 1 tsp Oregano

Instructions

The Stove-top Method: Cut the baguette into 1-inch cubes. Preheat the pan on low heat. Add oil and cubed bread. Toss to coat the bread cubes with the oil, and toast for 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the croutons into a bowl. Add the spices and toss to coat all the surfaces of the croutons with the seasonings.
The Oven Method with a Baking Tray: Add the cubed croutons to a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil. Add white or black pepper, salt to the croutons. Bake for 20 minutes at 160 degrees. After you have baked the croutons, remove them from the oven. Sprinkle with the spices.