When life gives you extra bread, make croutons. Homemade croutons are simple, flavorful, and far better than most store-bought options.
These Homemade Garlic Croutons are a long-time favorite—easy to make, customizable, and perfect for salads, soups, or snacking.
A CLASSIC, CRUNCHY CROUTON RECIPE
A crisp, garlicky crouton elevates any salad. This recipe is quick, versatile, and uses straightforward ingredients. Compared with many commercial croutons, these avoid inflammatory oils and unnecessary additives.
Use day-old bread or a fresh loaf you want to transform into something delicious. These croutons are crunchy, garlicky, and ready in under 30 minutes—most of which is baking time.
They’re a key component in my Cilantro Caesar Salad from my cookbook, but they also pair beautifully with many other salads and soups. Make them once and you’ll likely skip store-bought croutons forever.
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- Sourdough bread, cubed (or another crusty loaf)
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE GARLIC CROUTONS
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Warm the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat just until it’s warm, then add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute to release the aroma—don’t allow it to brown.
In a large bowl, toss the cubed bread with the warm oil and garlic, then season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden and crisp.
Remove from the oven and let the croutons cool; they will crisp further as they cool.
Use as a topping for salads and soups, enjoy them as a snack, or pulse into breadcrumbs. Store in an airtight container or reusable bag at room temperature for up to one week.
PAIRING IDEAS FOR HOMEMADE GARLIC CROUTONS
Croutons are an excellent addition to nearly any salad or soup, and they’re also great as a crunchy snack. Here are a few ideas for dishes that pair well with these garlic croutons:
- Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Caesar Salad
- High-Protein Chicken Caesar Wrap
- Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
- RGE Cobb Salad
RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS & TIPS
This is a basic, reliable crouton recipe—use it as a foundation and adapt as you like.
Bread options: crusty loaves work best—sourdough, French bread, whole grain, or rye are all suitable. Gluten-free breads can be used if needed. Cut the cubes uniformly so they bake evenly.
Seasonings: add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, or a touch of grated Parmesan for variation.
Uses: top salads and soups, snack on them, or grind into breadcrumbs—many possibilities from one simple recipe.
SHOP THIS RECIPE:
HOW DO YOU KEEP HOMEMADE CROUTONS CRISPY?
Choose day-old bread when possible and keep cubes a consistent size. If you use fresh bread, let the cubes air-dry for an hour or two before seasoning and baking.
Baking on a single layer with some space between cubes helps them toast evenly and become crisp. Allow them to cool fully before storing to prevent trapped steam from softening them.
Store croutons in a sealed, airtight container or reusable bag at room temperature. Avoid refrigerating, which can introduce moisture and make croutons soggy.
Homemade Garlic Croutons
Cook and total times include a few minutes of cooling time after baking.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 3 cups cubed sourdough bread
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
-
In a medium skillet over medium-low heat, heat the olive oil just until warm. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
-
In a large bowl, toss the cubed sourdough with the heated oil and garlic, salt, and pepper. Spread the seasoned bread cubes on the prepared baking sheet, and bake for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crisped and golden.
-
Set the croutons aside to cool.
-
Enjoy as a topping to your favorite salads and soups, or even as a snack! Store in an airtight container or reusable storage bag at room temperature for up to 1 week.