These easy, 4-ingredient homemade croutons with butter and garlic are ready in just 20 minutes. They’re the perfect addition to your favorite salad or soup, and are great for snacking too!
There are croutons, and then there are croutons. Know what I mean?
There’s something about those big chunks of crispy, garlic buttery sourdough that packaged croutons from the store just can’t hold a candle to. Not to mention how much better they are from a quality standpoint, made with just a few, wholesome ingredients.
Once you try them, you’ll never buy store bought croutons again!
Why Make Homemade Croutons
Croutons are a treat at our house – most of our salads are loaded with all kinds of flavor and texture from brightly colored veggies, nuts, dried fruits, and more. But, when you’re having Caesar salad (recipe coming soon!) or creamy tomato soup, you need croutons!
- They’re easy – You only need four ingredients and 20 minutes to make these, and you can prep the salad or soup while they’re in the oven!
- They’re healthier than store bought – These have just four simple ingredients: sourdough bread, butter, garlic, and salt. Compare that to the refined vegetable oils, preservatives, and flavors added to packaged croutons, and these are the clear winner.
- They taste 1,000 times better than store bought – Like homemade salad dressings, these take a little time. But once you’ve had them, you’ll never want store bought croutons again!
How to make Easy Homemade Croutons
Cut the sourdough into 1 inch cubes, then place on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle the butter, salt, and garlic mixture evenly over all. It will seem like too much butter – trust me, it’s not.
Use clean hands to toss the bread cubes in the garlic butter until all are evenly coated, then spread them out across the pan and bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes, until some of them have nice, golden edges.
Remove the tray from the oven and let the croutons cool completely before serving on salad or soup.
Top Tips for Making Homemade Croutons
- Sourdough is my favorite bread for croutons because it soaks up the garlic butter so nicely, but any crusty bread will do.
- You can make these bigger or smaller, just make sure your bread cubes are uniform in size so they cook evenly.
- Feel free to add dried herbs if you’d like – parsley or Italian seasoning would both be great!
- Store leftover croutons in an airtight container on the counter for up to a couple days.
- If you love croutons as much as my family, you may want to go ahead and double the recipe to be sure there are some extras for snacking! ๐
Easy Homemade Croutons
Ingredients
- 4 thick slices sourdough bread, cut into 1 inch cubes (approx 4 cups bread cubes)
- 3 Tbsp butter (I use salted)
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Place bread cubes on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Melt butter and add garlic powder and salt. Pour this garlic butter mixture evenly over the bread cubes and use clean hands to gently toss until all cubes are evenly coated.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until the croutons are a light golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheet before adding to soup or salad.
Notes
- Sourdough is my favorite bread for croutons because it soaks up the garlic butter so nicely, but any crusty bread will do.
- You can make these bigger or smaller, just make sure your bread cubes are uniform in size so they cook evenly.
- Feel free to add dried herbs if you'd like - parsley or Italian seasoning would both be great!
- Store leftover croutons in an airtight container on the counter for up to a couple days.
- If you love croutons as much as my family, you may want to go ahead and double the recipe to be sure there are some extras for snacking!
I always love to add croutons in my tomato soup and this homemade crouton looks perfect. I will try this.
They’re PERFECT for tomato soup! ๐
I love croutons and these look so yumm and easy to make
They are easy! Enjoy!
These look so yummy and easy to make! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Danielle for commenting. I hope that you really enjoy them.
I’m always having scones with soups for starters but the idea of having croutons is even better! They are such yummy bites with peppery tomato soup. I would use some shredded cheese stop too!
Yuum!
Sounds great Dalene!
I will certainly try this recipe, always wanted to try someyhing new as much as possible. ty for sharing
I Hope you like it Alexandra. Thanks for stopping by!
what an easy recipe! now I have something new to cook again! would totaly try this at home
It is easy Clare. Great for those days where time is limited!
Croutons really looks awesome.
I once tried it at my friends place.
They are fantastic! Better than anything you can buy at a store without question!
Wow, this seems like a great recipe. I would love to try it. Seems so yummy and delicious! Croutons are so good.
Easy and good! Thanks for the comment Lavern!
Homemmade croutons are far more delicious than the ones you would get in a box. I love those when they are fresh made at a restaurant. I would love making some at home.
So true David. You will absolutely these!
Croutons are delicious! Homemade are even better! Saving to make later!
You wont regret trying them out Crystal. Thanks for the kind words!